April can be one of the most active months in the garden. As usual, the various garden duties overlap season wise in the South region.
Lawns
Lawn programs can easily occupy most of the southern gardener’s time during April. Those who use winter grasses interplanted with the permanent turf should use extreme care to manage properly to prevent any unnecessary damage to the permanent turf. Many people plant annual rye in order to maintain a beautiful bright green lawn in winter. The most common lawn grass in this section is Bermuda grass which tolerates the winter grasses. The cultural requirements and responses of the two grasses are very much alike. The important thing to remember is to continue the basic operations of mowing, feeding and watering.
The rye grasses have a tendency to make large clumps that will shade out the permanent lawn grass. Regular mowing to a height of two inches will prevent this, and the winter grass will actually serve as a “nurse crop” during the severe weather. During the intermittent periods of warm days this month, the winter grass grows vigorously and good lawn management must be practiced.
These grasses normally die out, if annual, or are absorbed, if perennial, by the permanent lawn grass as it begins to grow. In many areas the annual rye is killed by chemical methods in order to make way for the permanent grass. This process can be an effective weed control measure and also provide fertilizer to start the lawn off early in the season.
Regular watering and mowing will make a heavy rug-like turf. Personally, I prefer to let the clippings remain on the grass as much benefit comes from the build up of this humus material.
Mowing Tips
A word on mowing might be in order. Regular height of cut is very important, and I prefer one and one half to two inches of cut and, of course, regular cutting to prevent a “hay mown” look after each mowing. The use of a rotary type mower vs. a reel-type mower is one of individual preference. For mowing of rye, a rotary mower must be kept very sharp to prevent white streaks from appearing in the lawn. The white streaks are a result of the green color (chlorophyll) being beaten out of the grass blade tips by a dull mower. Some gardeners have been alarmed over this, but as the problem is purely mechanical, it is easily controlled.
Planter Boxes
April is a good month to get window boxes, both inside and outside, in readiness for spring and summer color, These boxes were known to our grandmothers as “window boxes” because they were always placed in, on, or near a window to catch the light. The plants were nearly always a collection of ferns which were all the vogue then. Now, as then, window boxes still provide many happy hours for our “senior gardeners.”
They are a “natural” for contemporary house and garden designs. The materials can be of many types. As to size, the boxes should be at least eight inches wide, 12 to 15 inches deep, and any convenient length. If the boxes are to be moved, they should be designed in a size for easy handling, or equipped with casters or rollers.
The soil should be prepared especially for the type of plants to be grown. A good basic soil mixture is composed of two parts good garden loam, one part well-rotted leaf mold or humus, and one part of sharp sand. Add to this mixture two average size teacups level full of a balanced fertilizer (4-12-4, 5-10-5) for each bushel of soil. Use this mixture for outdoor boxes. All that said… I prefer the bagged soil mix already “charged” with a fertilizer. Basically pour and plant. Plant food is used quickly in boxes and should be replenished or supplemented by monthly applications of liquid food or the addition of new soil.
Pruning
Many of the flowering shrubs have finished their display now, while others are now in full bloom, and still others will follow. Such plants as forsythia, red bud, winter jasmine and spirea are among the early ones. Pruning of these, if done at all, should follow the fading of the flowers. A word of caution – do not prune for the sake of exercise, but for a definite purpose, such as to correct growing habits, train the plants, stimulate new growth, or remove dead, damaged or diseased limbs. The season for heavy pruning is definitely running out.
Spraying
Lace wing bug damage will soon be in evidence on pyracantha and other broadleaf plants, even some shade trees. Aphids will make their presence known in large numbers with the first really warm days. These appear as many very small green and shaded insects that secrete a sticky substance (honeydew) on the buds of roses and young twigs of plants. They can be controlled by using Malathion sprays. They should be sprayed as soon as possible, as they injure or deform new leaf or flower buds.
Bulbs
The climax of the spring bulb display comes during April. The rewards of work done last October should be bountiful to the gardener who planted tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other bulbs. As the flowers bloom be sure to keep the soil soaked by frequent watering to insure good quality blooms and the development of a mature bulb for the next season. The food manufactured in the leaves is stored in the maturing bulb, so all leaves should be left until they dry up and actually become papery in texture.
Roses
Throughout most of this section, roses will come into growth during April, and some bloom will start in the lower part of the area. This makes it too late to set out new plants unless container-grown plants are used. Make sure these are container-grown and not just container “potted” there is such a vital difference!
As the new growth unfolds, get busy on a regular program of pest control. Blackspot, aphids and mildew are the principal offenders that blight rose plants in our area. Rose show schedules for the spring shows should certainly be out this month. Start feeding, disbudding and grooming the specimens for competition. It takes about five weeks from the time buds Hrst are formed until the bloom can be cut for exhibition.
Perennials
Chrysanthemums can be started now by dividing the old clumps and resetting. Be generous with the divisions to insure strong clumps for good bloom next fall. In selecting new varieties, choose those giving bloom before the date of killing frost. It is also well to choose those varieties whose blooming date is after the cool nights have begun, this gives better quality of bloom.
Iris are in full growth and many are in flower and some of the earlier ones may have been nipped or darnaged by the cold or wind. Clean up any leaves or litter around the clumps of iris and check for borer activity. A good precaution to prevent borer damage is to spray the iris weekly with Malathion.
Remember to keep pansies picked regularly to prolong the period of bloom. Feeding with liquid food will insure the size and also improve the quality of bloom, Watering is also essential to keep pansy borders bright and happy on into June.
Many of the perennials grown from seed can be planted out now. Also, the annuals for summer color can be transplanted as soon as danger of killing frost is over. Plant in a group, or mass the colors for most effective use. Also, choose the bright or carrying colors to achieve striking results. In most of this section, transplanting of seasonal color bedding plants is carried on after Easter.
Miscellaneous
Practice clean culture of all bed areas. My grandmother once said, “A flower can grow anywhere a weed can grow.” This is certainly a well-known truth and a good gardener will never allow weeds to utilize the nutrients in the soil when these can be used by desirable plants.
After plants are set, most of them prefer not to be disturbed. Therefore, avoid deep cultivation to prevent tearing out the young feeder roots. This is particularly true in the case of roses. Many people kill their roses with kindness when actually the plants prefer not to have the soil even stirred after vegetative growth has started.
Vegetables
Most vegetables can be planted this month. Just as soon as danger of frost has passed, start the beans, carrots, radishes, leafy vegetables, corn, and others as preferred. Plants of tomato, pepper and eggplant may be transplanted by late April. Try a few of the easily grown herbs in a small, lost corner of your garden. They are both decorative and valuable for seasoning. The various mints often become pests, but even they provide a cool ground cover. Most herbs make beautiful foliage for arranging, both fresh or dry.
