Released April 4, 2008
DANVILLE, Ark. -- Spring is here, and you're probably itching to get after a long list of gardening projects, but don't overdo it, warns Van Banks, Yell County extension agent with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
"It's probably been a few months since those muscles and bones have had a good workout," he said, "So start out slowly and avoid that Monday morning backache!"
Banks offers these tips to gardeners for April:
- Prune evergreens by removing undesirable wood. Prune forsythia after it finishes flowering. Spread nitrogen fertilizer around the base of evergreens.
- Plant summer flowering bulbs. Tuberous begonias and canna should not be set out until mid-April to avoid late frost. Start planting seeds of asters, cosmos, marigolds, zinnias.
- After blooming, deadhead spring-flowering bulbs. Don't cut off the green foliage! These leaves provide the bulb with food for flowering next year.
- Divide perennials such as daylilies, iris and chrysanthemums. The additional plants created can be traded or given to friends or moved to a new area of the garden.
- Plant new rose bushes before growth starts and buds swell. Use a systemic fertilizer/ insecticide product to prevent insect infestation, as it feeds the plant.
- Control weeds and aerate the soil by cultivating between the rows of plants.
- Select and plant fruit trees and berry plants now. Both do better planted in full sun.
- Plant peas, carrots, beets, spinach, cauliflower, cabbage, etc now. Potatoes, radishes, parsnips and onions can be planted. Keep direct-seeded crops thinned to avoid crowding.
- Cut out all the dead canes from your raspberry patch. The new canes will bear this year's fruit. Thin these to five canes per foot of row.
- When danger of frost has passed, uncover strawberry beds and keep them well watered.
- Apply spring lawn fertilizer to perk up the lawn and improve its overall appearance. If there is moss in the lawn, use a spring lawn fertilizer containing a moss killer.
Banks said spring is also a good time to de-thatch and over-seed the lawn. Remove thatch with a brisk raking, or with a de-thatching machine. Over seeding will help fill-in the lawn and deter the re-growth of moss and weeds. Use about 1 pound of quality grass seed for every 300 square feet of lawn. Apply a light layer of compost or soil over the seed to keep it moist and in place.
Aerating the lawn will allow water to penetrate deeper into the soil and reduce the need to water during dryer months.
"Remember, the projects you accomplish in the yard or garden now will definitely cut down on maintenance later this season," Banks said. "Early season work will help keep your lawn and gardens beautiful for the entire season. The key is doing a little everyday!"
For more information about gardening, contact your county extension agent or go to http://www.uaex.edu and select Home and Garden. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.
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http://www.uaex.edu/news/april2008/0404garden.htm
Contact: Lamar James, (501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207, ljames@uaex.edu
