Gardeners can almost count on their being two periods of the year when weather conditions are near ideal. One period is during the fall and the other period is during the spring.
There was a seven- to eight-day period near the end of March when the days were near perfect — sunny skies and pleasantly cool temperatures. The nights were clear and crisply cool. We had ample moisture so we didn’t need rain and the winds finally calmed down.
That was a perfect setting to usher in April. With the month of April comes a sense of renewal. Azaleas are putting on their spring show, and many types of citrus trees are blooming. Trees are putting out their new foliage that is such a delicate green. Add the pleasant temperatures and you have a strong invitation to get out in the garden. Here’s a checklist for keeping up with the chores while enjoying the pleasures of April.
Spring Pecan Field Day
The Spring Pecan Field Day will be conducted from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. April 10. Members of the Extension Fruit and Pecan Committee will provide grafting demonstrations throughout the time period. Graftwood from several varieties of pecans will be available (a donation of $1 per stick is requested). Graftwood of several fruit trees will also be available.
The field day will be in La Marque under the North Pavilion in Carbide Park (located on FM 519 about one mile west of the intersection of FM 519 and the Interstate 45 Gulf Freeway, Exit No. 10). A printable map can be downloaded from the Web site address at the end of this column (click on “Extension Educational Programs” link), or contact the Galveston County Extension Office for additional information. Call 281-534-3413, Ext. 1-2, or e-mail GALV3(at)wt.net.
Cooking For Health And Longevity
This seminar will be conducted from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Galveston County Extension Office (5115 state Highway 3, Dickinson).
Do you want to eat a more healthy diet but aren’t sure what all that entails? Would you like to learn to prepare some of your favorite recipes in a way that makes them healthier without taking away that robust flavor that you like so much? Would you like to learn more about foods that help us to live longer, healthy and more fulfilling lives? Are you interested in learning ways to make your favorite recipes less fattening?
If so, then this seminar is for you! Master Gardener Carroll Lassiter will demonstrate the essentials for cooking for health and longevity. No fee, but preregistration is required as seating is limited. Call 281-534-3413, Ext. 1-2, or e-mail GALV3(at)wt.net.
Bonsai For Beginners
A “Bonsai for Beginners” workshop will be offered from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. April 12 at the Galveston County Extension Office (5115 state Highway 3, Dickinson).
Master Gardener Clyde Holt will introduce the novice to the art of bonsai. Topics will include growing and training bonsai plants.
Demonstrations will be provided on material required to make potting mixes, potting procedure and pruning techniques. A variety of established bonsai trees will be available for viewing. No fee, but preregistration is required as seating is limited. Call 281-534-3413, Ext. 1-2, or e-mail GALV3(at)wt.net.
Summer Annuals
One tendency shoppers have is to buy transplants of summer annuals only with open flowers. Young transplants that have few or no flowers may be a smarter purchase since these plants will grow larger before flowering. The result will be a more impressive floral display in your home gardener.
Caladiums
Select caladium tubers while there are ample stocks available but do not plant caladiums too early. They typically should be planted from April into early May. Caladiums need warm soil temperatures (at least 70 degrees) for best growth.
Azaleas
Wait to fertilize azaleas until after the major bloom season is finished. Consider using a fertilizer specially formulated for azaleas that provides plant nutrients in the right ratio and also helps to maintain acid soil conditions needed by azaleas. Because azaleas have a shallow root system, many gardeners have found it to be beneficial to apply several light fertilizer applications over time rather than all at one time.
Lawn Mowers
Periodically check your lawn mower blade for dullness and examine a few blades of freshly mowed grass.
Use of a dull blade will result in the mowed (better descriptions would be torn and “whacked-off”) end of leaf blades and stems being stringy and ragged. These tips will also develop a brownish discoloration shortly after being mowed.
In addition to looking unsightly and causing the mower engine to labor harder, lawn grass cut with a dull blade is more susceptible to certain diseases.
‘Weed And Feed’ Fertilizers
Use caution when applying the popular “weed and feed” type lawn fertilizers.
Some weed and feed products can be used near shrubs and inside the drip line area of trees while other types of weed and feed products carry a strict warning to not apply the product near such landscape plants. It depends on the type of weed killer (or combination of weed killers) that is contained in a given product.
Be sure to carefully read the label and do not exceed the application rate stated on the label.
Purchasing Topsoil
Use good quality topsoil from a reputable source for raising flower beds, filling low spots in the lawn, etc. Nutgrass and other hard-to-kill weeds are sometimes introduced this way.
Dr. William William Johnson is a horticulturist with the Galveston County Extension Office of Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas A&M University. Visit his Web site at http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston.
