April 2003

Edible

Plant lettuce (Black-seeded Simpson or Red Sails) as temporary living mulch, not mention a great salad. Plant around newly emerging bulbs and perennials. Later in growing season dig into soil or add to compost pile.

Plant broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, certified potato pieces, cauliflower, asparagus, beets, carrots, lettuce, mustard greens, onions, peas, rhubarb, spinach, parsley and turnips.

Plant onion sets. Onion sets less than the size of a dime will grow bigger onions. Plant onion sets in shallow trench. Work a balanced fertilizer into the soil. Plant sets one inch deep and five to six inches apart. Plant sets 1-2 inches apart for green onions.

For weed free onion sets plant them in a wide block and cover with a 2-3 inch layer of mulch. Onions will grow through the mulch and many weeds will not. Replenish mulch later in the season.

Dye Easter eggs with natural vegetable dyes. These dyes are safe and easy to use. Spinach will make a light green color. For shades of purple or lavender use blueberries or grapes. Beets will give you a pink color and red cabbage will make a blue color. Coffee and onionskins will yield browns and sienna. Bring two cups of water to a boil; add selected plant material and one tablespoon of vinegar. Simmer for ten minutes and pour mixture through a sieve. Dip eggs into dye bath for ten to fifteen minutes or until eggs are the color desired. Remove eggs from dye, blot and place on rack to dry.

Try growing spearmint in a container to prevent it from becoming invasive. Place the pot in your herb garden. Spearmint adds a great touch to a glass of iced tea.

Ornamental

Preparing for the mowing season ahead. Change the oil and have the blade sharpened. Walk the lawn and remove any sticks, stones, leaves and trash.

Divide hosta and other summer and fall blooming perennials. Divide perennials if flowering was reduced and flowers were smaller; if growth in the center of the plant died out leaving a hole with growth around the edges; if the plant lost vigor and, if the plant started to flop or open up needing staking.

Extend the life of your Easter lily by placing it in indirect light. Bright sunlight may burn the flowers and shorten the bloom time. Keep at temperatures of 65-70 degrees F. Remove the lily flowers as soon as they wither. Plant outside in a sunny spot as soon as danger of frost is past. Water thoroughly. Fertilize with a 5-10-5 fertilizer. The old top will die back and new shoots will emerge. The plant will flower in July or August. Most Easter lilies will not survive our winter.

Remove mulches from strawberries, bulbs and perennials. Keep mulch handy in case of predicted cold temperatures.

Buy bedding plants that are not flowering or pinch the flowers off when you set them out. Flowering plants put all their energy into seed production and will grow slowly when planted.

To re-use clay pots from year to year, scrub off any dirt or debris; soak them in a 10% bleach solution for one half hour. Use nine parts room temperature water to one part liquid chlorine bleach. Rinse thoroughly.

Groundcovers can be mowed to remove winter burned foliage. Raise the mower to its highest setting, fertilize and water after mowing to insure rapid regrowth.