Well, March roared in and tiptoed out. At least it was less breezy at the end than the beginning. Now we’re up for April showers. Oh well, you know that God made rainy days so gardeners could get the housework done. He surely knows I need lots of rainy days.
The Lowndes County Master Gardener group is trying hard to grow our organization and its work base to better meet our long-term goals of education for both adults and children. Anyone who enjoys gardening and might be interested in joining this group should watch for information on the next classes, which will be next February. If you aren’t sure if you’d fit in, this might help:
How to know if you could be a Master Gardener
If you identify with one or more of these, then you, too, can be a Master Gardener.
Ah, well, enough of the preaching. On to tips for this month.
To do in April
Plant: Okra, melons, peas, corn, beans, eggplant cucumbers and tomatoes. Set out basil and summer annuals if danger of frost is gone (looks like it might be). Plant summer and fall blooming bulbs, and sow zinnia seed for summer color and attracting butterflies.
Fertilize: Give tomatoes a dose of 10-10-10.
Prune: If you have freeze-damaged or dead wood remaining, prune it now. Be sure to discard by trash pickup or burning. Placing diseased clippings in the brush compost is not recommended. Prune azaleas and other flowering shrubs during or right after bloom time. If pruning during flowering, the cut stems may be brought indoors for flower arrangements.
Mulch: Newly planted items should be mulched in for moisture retention and cooling/warming the soil as the seasons change.
Miscellaneous: Plant a tree! National Arbor day is the fourth Friday of April. Paint, clean and or repair garden furniture and other yard accoutrements like bird baths, bird feeders, bird houses, fountains, garden ponds, mailboxes and decks. If purchasing azaleas, buy them in bloom to make sure the color is what you want.
If you would like more information, check out Mississippi State Extension Service at extension.msstate.edu. You can find answers to many questions there. (I do!)
Now, go play in some April dirt.
Sharon Carrigan of Columbus shares these gardening tips on behalf of the Lowndes County Master Gardeners.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.