It really gets us wanting to get out and start gardening with these spurts of warm weather. Chances of freezing weather can still occur. So, we should really wait until after the middle of April to start gardening in full force.
April is usually one of the prettiest months for gardeners. The dogwoods, redbuds, azaleas and spring-blooming bulbs bring many colors to landscapes. Pansies and other winter annuals should continue to shine in the garden through April and into May. Summer bedding plants are appearing in markets. Some summer annuals will tolerate cooler conditions better than others. Petunias, verbena and sweet alyssum can be planted now but hold off a week or two for lantana, periwinkle, coleus and pentas. They prefer warm soil conditions. With the many plants available to us, annual and perennials, there are good choices for all seasons.
If you have decided to plant a vegetable garden, plant what your family likes most. Don't get carried away and plant more than you can maintain or eat. If you can maintain a large garden, and can't eat all you produce, consider donating some to local food banks or sell it at the local farmers market.
Make gardening as easy on yourself as possible. Choose a site that gets plenty of sunlight and is well drained but near a water source. Gardens in Arkansas won't survive without supplemental water. Raised beds are an excellent way to deal with rocky soils. Soil and compost can be added to the bed which will be easier to work. You can plant perennial plants such as asparagus and strawberries on the edge of the garden, to keep them undisturbed. Divide the garden into thirds and practice crop rotation, not planting the same area with the same vegetable for at least three years. In mid to late April, we can begin to plant the warm season vegetables as we harvest the cool season ones if we planted early.
Cucumber, squash, pepper, tomatoes and others may be planted as the soil warms up. If you plant warm-season crops too early such as okra, southern peas, melons, etc., they may just sit there until the soil warms up. You should plant corn in several short rows versus one long row to aid in pollination. Utilize garden space wisely, and mulch, water, lime and fertilize according to soil test recommendations.
Fruit trees can give you plenty of fresh grown produce, but they have a price -- with rigorous pruning and spraying schedules. Figs or oriental persimmons are fruit trees that are more carefree.
Summer bulbs can be planted soon, but they like warm soil conditions. Cannas are emerging from their winter dormancy, and now is the time to divide them. While many people don't divide their cannas every year, it does give you fuller plants. Dig, divide and replant, or share some with a friend.
Right now, many lawns look like a meadow of wildflowers. Unfortunately, they are considered weeds by most gardeners. Most of these weeds are winter annuals and will be dying out in a just a few weeks. Using a herbicide at this time is not very effective and may actually hinder your lawn's green-up. Keep your grass mowed and wait on your first application of fertilizer until the lawn has totally greened up. It is best to mow when grass is dry. Dry clippings distribute easier and won't bunch up or clog mowers. If you must mow when grass is wet, it's best to collect the clippings to prevent clumps from smothering your lawn. You can mow as often as needed but try to never remove more than one-third of the leaf blade in a single mowing.
April and May are the months that you can add a number of plants to your landscape. The Garland County Master Gardeners are holding their annual Plant Sale & Garden Show from April 22-24 at the Garland County Fairgrounds. The Master Gardener Plants will be on sale Saturday, April 23, starting at 9 a.m. The Garden Show will include wonderful educational speakers, demonstrations and vendors. Come enjoy and get quality vegetable and landscaping plants at reasonable prices.
4-H information
There are several 4-H Clubs for Garland County youths who are 5 to 19 years old. For more information on all the fun 4-H activities available, call Carol Ann McAfee at the Extension office, 501-623-6841, or email [email protected].
Master Gardener information
Master Gardener meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at the Elks Lodge. They're open to the public and guests are welcome. For more information call Luke Duffle at 623-6841 or email him at [email protected].
EHC information
Are you interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For information about EHC, call Alison Crane at 501-623-6841 or email [email protected].