Rhododendrons at VanDusen Botanical Gardens
Garden Chores for April
Blossoms of Shirofugen flowering Japanese cherry.
In This Issue
Dawn redwood trees green up when flowering cherries blossom.
April Garden Stars - Garden Club Events - Amanda's YouTube Channel - April's Garden Chores
Preparing the Veggie Garden - Veggie Garden Techniques - Potatoes - When to Plant Tender Plants
What to Sow Outside - What to Sow Indoors - Seedling Care - Homegrown Tomatoes - In the Greenhouse
How to Harden Off Plants - Spring Lawn Care & Grubs - Feeding Plants - What to Prune & What Not to Prune
April Rose Care - Pruning Hydrangeas - What to Plant this Month - Spring Bulbs, Perennials, Heather & Ornamental Grass
Stake Now - Add Spring to Your Garden - Composting & Organic Debris - Control Plant Eating Bugs - Slugs
Hellebore Leaf Spot - Spring Planters - Birds & Critters - Weeds & Herbicide
April Flower Arrangement - Plant of the Month: Pearl Bush
Preparing the Veggie Garden - Veggie Garden Techniques - Potatoes - When to Plant Tender Plants
What to Sow Outside - What to Sow Indoors - Seedling Care - Homegrown Tomatoes - In the Greenhouse
How to Harden Off Plants - Spring Lawn Care & Grubs - Feeding Plants - What to Prune & What Not to Prune
April Rose Care - Pruning Hydrangeas - What to Plant this Month - Spring Bulbs, Perennials, Heather & Ornamental Grass
Stake Now - Add Spring to Your Garden - Composting & Organic Debris - Control Plant Eating Bugs - Slugs
Hellebore Leaf Spot - Spring Planters - Birds & Critters - Weeds & Herbicide
April Flower Arrangement - Plant of the Month: Pearl Bush
Fellow Gardeners..
Hello Fellow Gardeners,
April never fails to delight me with the abundance of extraordinary flowers that miraculously erupt from the ground and sprout from leafless branches. Daffs, tulips, primroses, camellias, rhodos are just a few of the flora that make this month one of the prettiest. Since spring has officially arrived, it’s difficult to keep my mind on gardening when all I want to do is take pictures of all the lovely flowers. They are difficult to resist. Distracting as they are, the garden awaits. There’s no doubt that the list of chores this month are long. That’s April for you. It’s time to get it down and dirty with no dawdling as the garden is on its own schedule, not mine. Let’s just hope the weather cooperates and there’s no crazy, weird stuff going on like frost, snow, torrential rain or wind. That would really put a spanner in the works. Regardless of the weather, it is exciting and comforting being in the garden again. It’s a treat to get back out there. The flowers are so blooming fragrant, and the air is full of birdsong. No wonder spring is my favourite season. Have a great time in the garden! Cheers, Amanda 
A Japanese ornamental cherry.
April's Arrangement
April 2025
An informal arrangement of yellow fawn lilies and English bluebells. For a numbered guide to the specific flower names and for other arrangements go to Monthly Flower Arrangements.
Garden Club eVents
Get the word out! Click here to list & to view garden club plant sales, fundraisers, garden tour & other events. Click on the coloured links below to be redirected to the individual garden club.
New Westminster Horticulture Society Plant Sale
Saturday, May 3rd, 10 am to 2 pm. St Thomas More Collegiate, 7450 12th Ave., Burnaby Variety of perennials and vegetable seedlings. Cash only The White Rock Garden Club Plant Sale
Saturday May 3, 2025, 9 am - 1 pm, Ocean Park Community Hall 1577 128 St, Surrey, BC Plant Sale, Baked Goods, Flower Market, Door Prizes, Raffle Pitt Meadows Garden Club Annual Plant Sale
Saturday May 10, 2025, 10am-2pm, Pitt Meadows Community Church Hall 12109 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows, BC Features veggies & herbs, annuals & perennials, baking, silent auction and much more. |
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Want to become a member of The Garden Website? If so, please log in above. Need a Garden Consultation?
Learn what to do in your garden with a visit from Amanda.
Prepare for the upcoming gardening year with a consultation with Amanda. Book an appointment for a consultation here.
Gift Certificates
A garden consultation is the perfect gift. Click on the pic for more.
Get the perfect gift for gardeners and non-gardeners alike with a gift certificate for a personal garden consultation. A $200.00 value. Serving Metro Vancouver. Click on the picture above for more information.
Click on the underlined links for gardening videos.
Planting Dahlias - Dividing Dahlias - Planting Tuberous Begonias - Dividing Begonias Pruning a Shrub Rose in Spring - Pruning Climbing Rose in Spring - Canker on a Rose Disinfecting Garden Pruning Gear - Potting up Tomato Seedlings - Potting Cell Pack Tomato Seedlings Garden Classes
Learn how to grow your own veggies!
Click on the pictures above or the coloured text to be redirected.
Location: Credo Christian High School, Langley, B.C. Click on the coloured links below to be redirected to Fraser Valley Continuing Education website. Lawn Care: Discover the secrets of a healthy lawn that resists lawn grubs with correct maintenance. Learn how to repair existing lawns and install new ones. April 12, 9:30 am to 12:00 pm, $29.99. Preparing for Spring: Discover how to get the garden ready for the growing season. Includes how to sow seeds, planting, organic pest control, tree care and other gardening techniques and methods. April 12 2024, 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm, $29.99. |
April Garden Stars
English wallflower, Erysimum (Cheiranthus) cheiri, biennial, 6" to 2ft, sun to shade, self-seeds. Zones 7 to 9
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Bleeding heart, Lamprocapnos (Dicentra) spectabilis, herbaceous perennial, 1’-3 x 2’-3’, summer dormancy, part shade. Zones 2 to 9. Click on the pic for more.
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Crown imperial, Fritillaria imperialis, spring flowering bulb, 3-4’ x 1-1.5’, fragrant, sun to part shade. Zones 5 to 8. Click on the pic for more.
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Wood anemone, Anemone nemorosa, herbaceous perennial, 0.50 to 1.50 ft, part sun to shade, summer dormancy, naturalizes. Zones 5 to 8.
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Flowering currant, Ribes sanguineum, 5 to 8' x 3 to 5', full sun, part shade. Zones 5 to 8. Click on the pic for more.
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Lily-of-the-valley shrub, Pieris japonica, broadleaf evergreen, sun to part shade, 9–12’ x 6–8’. Zones 5 to 8. Click on the pic for more.
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Star magnolia, Magnolia stellata, deciduous tree, fragrant, 15-20' x 10-15', sun to part shade. Zone 4 to 8. Click on the pic for more.
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‘Bob’s Blue’, Rhododendron, broadleaf evergreen, 3 to 4’, x 3’, part sun. Zones 7 to 9.
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Flowering quince, Chaenomeles, thorny deciduous shrub, yellow fruit, 5-6’ x 5’. Zones 4 to 8. Click on pic for more.
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Serviceberry, Amelanchier canadensis, deciduous tree, to 30' x 20', sun to part shade, fall colour. Zones 4 to 8
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Lake Lolog Barberry (Berberis x lologensis), broadleaf evergreen shrub, deer resistant, sun to part shade, edible fruit, 8ft x 8ft. Zones 5 to 9.
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Shooting star, Dodecatheon pulchellum, herbacous perennial, up to 12", indigenous, part shade. Zone 4 to 7.
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Pasque flower, Pulsatilla vulgaris (Anemone pulsatilla), herbaceous perennial, sun to part shade, 6-12” x 8 -12”, sun to part shade. Zones 2 to 9.
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Weeping higan cherry, Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula', deciduous tree, 15’, sun. Zones 5 to 8.
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Grape hyacinth, Muscari armeniacum, spring bulb, 6 to 10 inches, sun to part shade, fragrant, naturalizes. Zones 4 to 8. Click on the pic for more.
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Common lungwort, Pulmonaria officinalis, herbaceous perennial, shade to part shade, moist soil. Zones 3 to 8
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Dwarf fothergilla, F. gardenii, deciduous shrub, 1.5' - 3' x 2' - 4', fragrant, sun to part shade, good fall colour. Zones 5 to 8.
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Fawn lilies, Erythronium. perennial bulb, part shade, 6 to 12”, Zones 4 to 9. Click on pic for more.
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Bishop's hat, barrenwort, Epimedium × versicolor 'Sulphureum', evergreen perennial, 8-12”x12-18”, part to full shade. Zones 4-9
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Hardy cyclamen, Cyclamen repandum, herbaceous perennial, 4 to 6”, partial shade. Zones 7 to 9.
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Handkerchief or dove tree, Davidia involucrate, deciduous tree, 15’ x 10’, sun to part shade, May flowers. Zones 6 to 8. Click on the pic for more.
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English primrose, Primula vulgaris, perennial, 6” x 6-9”, light shade, moist soil. Zones 4 to 8. Click on pic for more.
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Evergreen clematis, Clematis 'Armandii', evergreen vigorous vine grows to 25 ft, fragrant flowers, sun to part sun, Zones 7 to 9. Click on the pic for more.
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False rock cress, Aubrieta deltoidea, groundcover, evergreen, herbaceous perennial, up to 6", spreading, full sun, part shade, Zones 4 to 9. Click on the pic for more.
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Basket-of-gold, Aurinia saxatilis, deciduous ground cover, sun, dry, 1 ft x 1.5ft. Zones 4 to 7.
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Common violet, Viola papilionacea, groundcover, up to 8", sun to shade, Zones 3 to 7.
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White trillium, Trillium erectum f. albiflorum, herbaceous perennial, 10 - 20 inches, shade to part shade, woodlands, summer dormancy. Zones 4 to 7
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April Garden Chores
There's lots going on in the garden in April, which Chloe can attest to.
Check-in on the Garden
It’s happening, spring is here, and plants are growing. If not, they have snuffed it. Either pull them out or just cut their tops off as their decomposing roots add goodies to the soil. Don’t be surprised to see the tender leaves being devoured by aphids, slugs and snails – it’s apparently tasty stuff. Here's more on Garden Inspections.
It’s happening, spring is here, and plants are growing. If not, they have snuffed it. Either pull them out or just cut their tops off as their decomposing roots add goodies to the soil. Don’t be surprised to see the tender leaves being devoured by aphids, slugs and snails – it’s apparently tasty stuff. Here's more on Garden Inspections.
Preparing the Veggie Garden
Prepare soil before planting & sowing seeds.
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Four foot wide raised beds makes veggie growing more manageable.
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Dolomite lime raises soil pH and adds nutrients.
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SeaSoil is a beneficial organic soil amendment,
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Veggie beds should be placed where they will receive a full 6 hours of direct sun per day. Raised beds are the most efficient and easiest method. The ideal size is 4’ wide, which enables easy access from both sides. Raised beds don’t need to be any deeper than 12”.
Prepare the soil by removing weeds, rocks and debris. Mix in a few inches of compost, SeaSoil, triple mix or composted well-rotted manure into the first few inches of soil, no deeper. Level the soil and add Dolopril lime where cauliflower and other brassicas are to be planted to prevent club root. Do not lime the potato bed to prevent potato scab. Allow the soil to settle for a few days before planting.
Prepare the soil by removing weeds, rocks and debris. Mix in a few inches of compost, SeaSoil, triple mix or composted well-rotted manure into the first few inches of soil, no deeper. Level the soil and add Dolopril lime where cauliflower and other brassicas are to be planted to prevent club root. Do not lime the potato bed to prevent potato scab. Allow the soil to settle for a few days before planting.
Veggie Gardening Techniques
Practice companion planting.
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Don't plant too much of one thing at the same time.
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Avoid touching carrot foliage as their scent attracts carrot rust flies.
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Grow different crops together to make the most of available space with the companion planting method. Plant basil with tomatoes and lettuce with bush beans. Grow successive crops one after another such as broccoli after radishes and other quick crops have been harvested. Prolong harvest times by sowing a quarter of the seeds in the packet, then another quarter 10 days later. Avoid planting the same crop in the same place each year. Rotating crops prevents diseases, insects and nutrient deficiencies. Here's more on veggie gardening: Growing Food - Spring Veggie Gardening - Crop Rotation, Succession & Companion Planting
Potatoes
Seed potatoes available in garden centres.
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'Chitting' prepares spuds for planting.
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Plant spuds in trenches, and don't lime the soil.
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It's easy to grow potatoes in pots.
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It’s easy to grow potatoes, even if you don’t have a garden. Plant seed potatoes in potato grow bags, laundry baskets or deep planters. As the plants grow, the buried stems produce more spuds. Purchase seed potatoes in bags where plants are sold. Despite the name, seed potatoes are not seeds, but cute little spuds. Don’t lime the soil as it promotes potato scab. For more on spuds click here.
When to Plant Tender Veggies & Flowers Outside
Know your hardiness zone. Click on pic for more.
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Plant tomatoes outside next month.
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Plant peppers outside in May.
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Petunias will suffer if hit by frost.
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Although spring has officially arrived, it’s still too early to plant tender plants such as tomatoes, petunias, peppers and impatiens. In southern coastal British Columbia, wait until the beginning May. For the rest of Canada, wait until mid-May during the Victoria Day weekend. For frost dates in your area click on your country: Canada - America - Great Britain & France
For more on veggie gardening click on Growing Food, and Crop Rotation, Succession & Companion Planting & Spring Veggie Gardening
For more on veggie gardening click on Growing Food, and Crop Rotation, Succession & Companion Planting & Spring Veggie Gardening
What to Sow Outside
The back of seed packets hold essential information.
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Sow carrots and radish seeds together.
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Sow calendula seeds where they are to grow outside,
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It's safe to sow pea seeds in the garden.
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Protect seedlings from cutworms by wrapping stems with a strip of paper.
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Sow seeds of hardy and semi-hardy crops & flowers such as radishes, carrots, spinach, peas, beets, garlic, onion sets, poppies, calendulas, marigolds, foxgloves and nasturtiums.
Direct Seed: Sow carrots, beets and other root crops directly into the ground as they do not transplant well.
Success with Carrots: Carrot seeds take up to 3 weeks to germinate, so make sure they are kept moist during that time, or they won’t germinate. Their seeds are very small so mix them with radish seeds to make them easier to sow, to prevent overcrowding – and you get two crops in the space of one.
Direct Seed: Sow carrots, beets and other root crops directly into the ground as they do not transplant well.
Success with Carrots: Carrot seeds take up to 3 weeks to germinate, so make sure they are kept moist during that time, or they won’t germinate. Their seeds are very small so mix them with radish seeds to make them easier to sow, to prevent overcrowding – and you get two crops in the space of one.
What to Sow Inside
Sow tomato seeds asap!
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Sow cucumbers indoors this month.
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Seedlings benefit from grow lights.
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Damping-off disease kills seedlings
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Give warm season crops and flowers a head start by sowing them indoors now to plant out in May. Starting them off inside also protects them from slugs, wireworms, cutworms and inclement weather. Suitable plants are marigolds, sunflowers, calendulas, nasturtiums, melons, cucumbers, peas and beans. Don't delay to sow tomatoes, peppers, eggplants (aubergines) and other warm season crops. Here's a few tips and techniques to make growing seeds more successful: Growing Seeds Indoors -Damping-off a Seedling Killer
Seedling Care
Plant seedlings in individual pots.
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As seedlings grow, pot them into larger pots.
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Pinch seedlings to make them bushier.
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Pinch sweet pea seedlings when 6 to 8" tall for more flowers.
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Potting-on pot grown seedlings: Once seedlings have at four to six leaves and are big enough to handle, place each seedling into their own 2 inch pot. Here’s a video of planting peas seedlings outside.
Pinching Seedlings? To promote bushy, compact plants with lots of branches, flowers and fruit (if applicable), pinch off the tip of seedlings once they develop four sets of leaves and are big enough to handle. Just nip off the tips of the stems right above a leaf on peppers, eggplants (aubergines), sweet peas, zinnias, marigolds, celosia, impatiens, petunias, salvias and other bedding plants (annuals).
Pinching Seedlings? To promote bushy, compact plants with lots of branches, flowers and fruit (if applicable), pinch off the tip of seedlings once they develop four sets of leaves and are big enough to handle. Just nip off the tips of the stems right above a leaf on peppers, eggplants (aubergines), sweet peas, zinnias, marigolds, celosia, impatiens, petunias, salvias and other bedding plants (annuals).
Homegrown Tomatoes
Homegrown are much tastier than store bought.
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These tomato seedlings need to be potted on.
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The final phase of tomato growing before being planted outside in May.
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Grow Tomatoes! You can’t beat the taste of homegrown. Tomatoes need 6 hours of direct sun a day, consistent moisture, rich soil and they benefit from some judicial pruning as plants age. Bury most of the stem when planting as the buried stems form roots providing stability and health. Here's more info: Tomato Seedling to Plants - Tomato Tips -
Taming Tomatoes - Speeding up Tomato Harvest - Tomato Troubles - Decontaminating Soil for Tomatoes
Here’s a few videos: Potting Tomato Seedlings - Transplanting Tomato Cell Pac Seedlings
Taming Tomatoes - Speeding up Tomato Harvest - Tomato Troubles - Decontaminating Soil for Tomatoes
Here’s a few videos: Potting Tomato Seedlings - Transplanting Tomato Cell Pac Seedlings
In the Greenhouse & Hardening Off Plants
Tomato seedling stay warm on chilly nights in a heated greenhouse.
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Lettuce seedlings don't mind cool temperatures.
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These basil seedlings weren't ready for the outside world.
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Seedlings grown indoors must be hardened off before planting.
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A plug in thermostat attached to a heater keeps the greenhouse at a constant temperature.
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Peas, lettuce, spinach, broccoli and other cool season crops usually don't need a heater grown in the greenhouse are long as the temperatures stay above freezing. However, tomatoes, peppers, petunias and other frost tender plants will need a heater and a thermostat. For tomatoes, peppers, petunias and other warm season crops set the thermostat to 14-16 C. (58-60 F.).
Hardening Off Plants Plants grown indoors are tender and not accustomed to the outdoors so they must be acclimatized. It’s an easy process; just slowly increase the time they spend outside one day at a time. To learn how to toughen them up, click on Hardening Off Plants. |
Lawn Care
Set your mower height to 2 inches in the spring, no lower.
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Remove only one-third of the grass blade's length when mowing.
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This scalped lawn has been cut too short.
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A soil test is a good idea for sad lawns.
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Repair existing lawns and lay new ones.
Aerate and rake the lawn if you haven’t done so already. Avoid giving the lawn a bad haircut by cutting it too short and taking too much off at one time. Set the mower to 2.0 to 3.0 inches and only cut off a third of the length of the leaf blades at a time.
Feed the lawn with a slow release, preferably organic fertilizer that contains all 3 essential elements: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N-P-K). Avoid excessively high nitrogen content (the 1st #) that’s over 20% as it stimulates too much leafy grown at the expense of the roots.
For more click on Lawn Maintenance Schedule - Lawn Care 101 - Spring Lawn Care
Feed the lawn with a slow release, preferably organic fertilizer that contains all 3 essential elements: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N-P-K). Avoid excessively high nitrogen content (the 1st #) that’s over 20% as it stimulates too much leafy grown at the expense of the roots.
For more click on Lawn Maintenance Schedule - Lawn Care 101 - Spring Lawn Care
Mossy lawns are symptomatic soils that are too acidic with a pH of 5.0 to 5.5, however lawns prefer a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. Apply dolomite or Dolopril lime (coated dolomite lime) to raise the pH. Dolomite lime not only increases soil pH, but it also corrects calcium and magnesium deficiencies. For more on pH, click here. If you don’t know why your lawn is not green and healthy, get a soil test done. Check online for a soil test lab near you. Here's more on Moss in Lawns
Longer grass blades protects the lawn from grubs.
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Chafer beetle grubs are a prevalent lawn pest in British Columbia.
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Critters and birds dig up lawns as they feast on grubs.
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Lawn Grubs: There are numerous types of grubs that feed on grass roots such as chinch bugs, chafer beetles, sod webworms and leatherjackets. They favour weak, hungry, mossy, weedy, scalped and thirsty lawns that have not been maintained properly. To learn more, click on Lawn Grub Control.
Feeding Plants
Healthy soil contain worms.
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Fish fertilizer is a good source of nitrogen.
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Apply mulch on top of the soil.
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An organic mulch made of chipped up recycled pallets.
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Plants don’t just need the three essential elements, nitrogen, phosphorus and potash (N-P-K), they need small amounts of magnesium, calcium and other secondary and micronutrients. Healthy soil contains all the 16 nutrients that plants need, synthetic fertilizers do not. They also degrade organic matter, which is essential for healthy soil and plants. An effective, long term, sustainable solution to feed plants is adding compost yearly. Finish with a 3” layer of an organic mulch on top of the soil around existing plants. To learn more click on Fertilizing & Feeding Plants - Organic Options - Fertilizers & Ratios
What to Prune & What Not to Prune
Remove dead branches any time of year.
Check trees & shrubs for bird nests before pruning.
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Click on the pic to learn what to prune and how.
Pruning apples now, will leave you fruitless.
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Remove all suckers any time of year.
It's too late to prune wisterias.
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Remove all dead growth and suckers from trees, shrubs, vines, and fruit trees. Wait to cut back spring flowering plants until they have finished flowering. It's bird nesting season so inspect trees and shrubs before cutting plants back. To protect oak trees from Oak Wilt Disease, only prune them when they are dormant.
For more on pruning click on Pruning Basics 101, and check out the tools that make pruning easier Pruning Tools. If you need personal instruction on how and when to prune plants in your garden, make an appointment here. To disinfect your tools, check out this quick video.
For more on pruning click on Pruning Basics 101, and check out the tools that make pruning easier Pruning Tools. If you need personal instruction on how and when to prune plants in your garden, make an appointment here. To disinfect your tools, check out this quick video.
Don't cut back mophead hydrangeas too far or they won't flower.
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Cut off old hydrangea flowers above the nearest fat buds.
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Remove old unproductive hydrangea stems,
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Pruning Mophead Hydrangeas: Since flowers form on the new growth on mature stems, just cut off their dead flowers, right above a couple fat buds. If they are cut back any further, they will be unable to form flowers. Learn more about hydrangeas here.
April Rose Care
Feed roses with compost.
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Before pruning.
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Removing old and spindly canes at their base.
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After pruning.
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It’s best to prune roses while they are still dormant, however, if you are too late, just give them a light pruning. Remove all dead, diseased, spindly and old canes. Cut off any that grow towards the plant’s centre. Prune ¼ off the top from the remaining canes, just above a node (bud) that faces away from the plant’s centre. Mix in some compost, SeaSoil, kelp or an organic food around the plant’s perimeter and water well. For more on roses click on the following articles: Roses 101, Pruning Roses, Types of Roses, Easy Roses, Climbing Roses, Portland's Rose Test Garden, Rose Insects & Diseases. For rose pruning videos click on the following: Pruning a Climbing Rose in Spring, Pruning a Shrub Rose in Spring
What to Plant This Month
A tree's trunk flare must sit above the ground.
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This tree is planted too deeply.
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Cut off most of the burlap when planting B & B plants.
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Peonies planted too deeply or they won't flower. Click on pic for more.
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Don't wait to transplant.
April is a good month to plant new trees, shrubs, vines, fruit trees, perennials as well as transplanting any existing plants around in the garden. The sooner the better as this gives them time to become established in their new home before summer arrives.
Planting Success
If you have limited success when planting plants, you’re either planting them incorrectly or not providing the right aftercare. Planting too high or too low, not loosening the roots, not firming the soil sufficiently, and/or providing adequate water are common reasons why plants fail. Here’s more on How to Plant.
Planting Success
If you have limited success when planting plants, you’re either planting them incorrectly or not providing the right aftercare. Planting too high or too low, not loosening the roots, not firming the soil sufficiently, and/or providing adequate water are common reasons why plants fail. Here’s more on How to Plant.
Spring Bulbs, Perennials, Heathers & Ornamental Grasses
Remove seed heads from tulips.
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Cut back ornamental grasses, asap.
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Divide perennials.
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Spring Bulbs: Wait for their foliage to yellow before cutting them off as they provide food for next year’s flowers. To avoid waiting for the foliage to yellow, plant bulbs in pots in the autumn. Overwinter the potted bulbs by sinking them in the ground in fall, then place them in the garden when they start to grow the following spring.
Trim off the dead heather flowers.
Heather: As soon as their flowers fade, cut them off plus an inch of their stems. Avoid cutting them back too far as they might not resprout.
Ornamental Grasses: Cut them back to 6” before they start to sport new growth. If you are too late and the new foliage has already emerged, cut them back asap!
Perennials: Too much a good thing? Dig up overcrowded perennials and divide them with a sharp shovel, cheap pruning saw or breadknife. Pot them up to give away or plant them elsewhere.
Ornamental Grasses: Cut them back to 6” before they start to sport new growth. If you are too late and the new foliage has already emerged, cut them back asap!
Perennials: Too much a good thing? Dig up overcrowded perennials and divide them with a sharp shovel, cheap pruning saw or breadknife. Pot them up to give away or plant them elsewhere.
Peony flowers are too heavy for their wee stems.
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Stake peonies before they need it.
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A couple of small trellises prop up heavy blossoms.
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Stake Now: Trying to support plants once they have fallen prey to gravity, ends up with broken, mashed up branches and a weird looking plant, which I personally can attest to. Although it’s early in the growing season, set up their supports now so you can guide them as they grow on help are peonies, delphiniums, foxgloves, oriental poppies, garden phlox, asters, balloon flowers (Platycodon), helenium and Autumn Joy sedum.
Add Some Spring to Your Garden
Plant nurseries feature displays of the 'hot' plants of the season.
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All kinds of stores sell plants in spring including grocery stores.
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Potted flowering bulbs are perfect to add to spring gardens.
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If your garden lacks spring colour get thee to a garden centre as there are flowers to be found. Potted daffodils, tulips and other spring flowering bulbs are ready to plant in, or on top of the ground where colour is needed. This month’s Garden Stars gives you a taste of just a few of the many of April’s floral gems. Read plant labels to determine if the plant is the right size and is suitable for sun or shade. Keep the labels to refer to later.
Composting & Organic Debris
Add shredded newspaper if your compost is too wet.
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Now is the time to use your compost.
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Don't rake organic debris off garden beds.
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Use Your Compost: Dig out the well-rotted stuff from the compost bin. Return all the un-decomposed pieces back into the compost bin to help inoculate the next batch. Place the finished compost around roses, trees, shrubs, perennials, veggie plants and mix it into garden beds before planting. For more on how to compost click on Composting.
Don’t Rake Off Debris: Nature doesn’t like a clean garden so do not rake off leaves, twigs and other organic debris from the ground. It’s good stuff as it has many roles to facilitate the cycle of life. It feeds plants as it decomposes, and bumble bees and other beneficial insects use it for nesting. Removing all the organic debris from the soil surface reduces beneficial insects by a whopping 90%!
Don’t Rake Off Debris: Nature doesn’t like a clean garden so do not rake off leaves, twigs and other organic debris from the ground. It’s good stuff as it has many roles to facilitate the cycle of life. It feeds plants as it decomposes, and bumble bees and other beneficial insects use it for nesting. Removing all the organic debris from the soil surface reduces beneficial insects by a whopping 90%!
Controlling Plant Eating Bugs
Aphids on a hellebore.
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Cabbage worm.
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A June beetle. Click on pic for more.
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An artichoke is protected from aphids with a stocking.
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Don’t fear insects in the garden, even the ones that eat plants as they are food for ladybugs and other carnivorous individuals. Besides, using any kind of insecticide, will also kill any ladybugs that are chowing down on the aphids. There are many strategies to control aphids and other insects, including caterpillars, without harming beneficial insects and using insecticides. To learn more click on Plant Pests 1 & Plant Pests Part 2 - Controlling Insects
Cloches protect veggies from all kinds of insects.
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A floating row cover protects crops.
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Leaf minor on Swiss chard.
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Cloches & Floating Row Covers: Barriers are an efficient, non-toxic, organic method to protect crops from adult insects from laying their eggs and infesting your crops. Protect carrots from carrot rust fly, cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower from cabbage worm, leaf minors on chard, spinach & other leafy crops. For more click on Cloches.
Copper is another way to control slugs & snails.
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There many ways to lure mollusks to their demise.
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Hellebore leafspot on a Lenten rose.
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Snails & Slugs: Pick them off plants when they come out to feed on rainy days and at night. There are many methods to protect plants including beer, bait, copper and other techniques. For more click on Slugs & Snails.
Hellebore Leaf Spot: Brown, grey and black blemishes on the leaves, stems, flower buds and flowers on Lenten roses (Hellebore spp.) are symptoms of Microsphaeropsis hellebore virus. The virus becomes active in late winter due to wind and rain. There is no cure. Remove all infected plant parts, and don’t compost them. To prevent the spread of the disease, sterilize pruners after use and cut off all the foliage in autumn.
Hellebore Leaf Spot: Brown, grey and black blemishes on the leaves, stems, flower buds and flowers on Lenten roses (Hellebore spp.) are symptoms of Microsphaeropsis hellebore virus. The virus becomes active in late winter due to wind and rain. There is no cure. Remove all infected plant parts, and don’t compost them. To prevent the spread of the disease, sterilize pruners after use and cut off all the foliage in autumn.
Flower & Veggie Planters & Hanging Baskets
Plant up containers now so they will be looking good by May.
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Line moss baskets with plastic with a few holes poked in to reduce watering.
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Mix flowers & veggies together like peas and petunias.
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Thriller, filler & spiller planter design.
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Prepare planters now so they will be ready for May. For new and empty planters, use potting or planter soil, not garden soil. Don’t cover drainage holes with rocks or anything else as in impedes drainage. For existing planters just remove a few inches of soil and replace with Seasoil, compost or potting soil.
For a nice display use the thriller, filler and spiller method. Place a tall, impressive plant in the middle, surround it with lower bushy plants followed by flora that trail over the pot's rim. Feel free to grow veggies and flowers inn the same pot.
To learn more about container gardening click on Growing in Containers, Types of Containers.
For a nice display use the thriller, filler and spiller method. Place a tall, impressive plant in the middle, surround it with lower bushy plants followed by flora that trail over the pot's rim. Feel free to grow veggies and flowers inn the same pot.
To learn more about container gardening click on Growing in Containers, Types of Containers.
Click on the pic for more on dahlias.
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Keep potted dahlias in a frost free location.
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Save money with bagged summer bulbs.
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Plant gladiolus in the ground this month.
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Dahlias, Cannas, Glads & Summer Bulbs
Plant them up in pots to give them a head start. Use potting or planter soil and place in a sunny location. Don’t forget to water and cover them up with a sheet if frost is predicted. Plant in the garden in May.
Plant them up in pots to give them a head start. Use potting or planter soil and place in a sunny location. Don’t forget to water and cover them up with a sheet if frost is predicted. Plant in the garden in May.
Birdies & Critters
Birds need & appreciate fresh water.
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Make sure feeders are kept clean and preferably dry.
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Birdhouses are a nice addition to gardens.
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Old Cd's distract critters.
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Rabbits love tender new spring growth.
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Birdies: It’s a critical time for birds as they rear their young. To help them out, provide them with food, water, places to nest and nesting materials. Fill a suet cage with pieces 3” to 6” of yarn, twine, hair, pet fur, shredded paper and skinny twigs. To reduce disease, disinfect feeders, including hummingbird feeders and bird baths with soap, water and bleach.
Critters in the garden? With babies to feed, raccoons, squirrels, rabbits and other critters invade gardens in search of food. It can be quite frustrating to keep them from eating everything in sight, but there are a few things you can do to keep them at bay. Here’s some ideas Critters in the Garden.
Critters in the garden? With babies to feed, raccoons, squirrels, rabbits and other critters invade gardens in search of food. It can be quite frustrating to keep them from eating everything in sight, but there are a few things you can do to keep them at bay. Here’s some ideas Critters in the Garden.
Weeds & Herbicides
RoundUp, is it as safe as they say it is?
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A warning about herbicide use.
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Fatty acids herbicide is an organic & safe alternative.
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Pull horsetails out, don't dig!
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There are many handy weeding tools.
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Weeds & Herbicides: If you can’t or won’t dig up weeds, and want to use herbicides, be mindful of what you use. In Canada, most toxic synthetic herbicides have been banned, except Roundup, which contains glyphosate. Despite the research that proves it’s toxic to people, animals and the environment, it’s still widely used. If you want more information on the research, click on RoundUp. Also visit Ecojustice. It's Canada's larges environmental law charity. It works to secure environmental protection throughout Canada.
Instead use organic herbicides that contain fatty acids and horticultural grade vinegar or make your own. In a spray bottle, mix 4 parts of 11% acetic acid vinegar to 1 part Epsom salts & 1 tablespoon of dish washing liquid. As with all herbicides, reapply every 7 days until the victim is well and truly dead.
Alternately pry out weeds with tools designed for the job. Once an area is weeded, place a 3 inch layer of an organic mulch on top of the soil to hinder weeds from growing.To remove weeds such as horsetail and bindweed, just pull them as digging them spreads them even more.
Instead use organic herbicides that contain fatty acids and horticultural grade vinegar or make your own. In a spray bottle, mix 4 parts of 11% acetic acid vinegar to 1 part Epsom salts & 1 tablespoon of dish washing liquid. As with all herbicides, reapply every 7 days until the victim is well and truly dead.
Alternately pry out weeds with tools designed for the job. Once an area is weeded, place a 3 inch layer of an organic mulch on top of the soil to hinder weeds from growing.To remove weeds such as horsetail and bindweed, just pull them as digging them spreads them even more.
April Plant of the month
Pearlbush/Pearl Bush
Plentiful flowers appear in spring.
Exochordas have an open habit. Snow Day 'Surprise' (E. 'Niagra') pictured.
Buds open to reveal to ruffled petals.
Snow Day Surprise is a Proven Winners cultivar.
A pearl bush brightens spring gardens.
Grape hyacinths and pearl bush are a pretty pair.
Exochordas & lilacs flower at the same time.
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Common Name: pearl bush
Botanical Name: Exochorda racemosa Form: upright, broad, rounded Family: Rosaceae Genus: Exochorda Species: racemosa Cultivar: 'Snow Day Surprise' Plant Type: deciduous shrub Mature Size: 7 to 13ft tall (2-4m) & wide Growth: fast Origin: China, Central Asia, Southeastern China Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8 Foliage: pale green, oval, paddle-shaped to elliptical, 1-4” (3-9cm) long, margins maybe bluntly serrated or smooth Flowers: pure white pearl-like buds, five petals, cup-shaped up to 1.5” diameter March, April, flower clusters at branch ends, Fruit: 5 fused carpels (coccetum) with flattened seeds, brown dehiscent, star-shaped Stems: arching Exposure: sun to light shade Soil: prefers well-drained, rich acid soil Uses: accent, mixed border, background, foundations, informal hedge Attracts: pollinators Invasive Tendencies: not common Tolerates: heat & drought once established Propagation: softwood cuttings in summer Pruning: flowers on mature stems so prune after flowering to shape Problems: mostly pest free Named for its flower buds that resemble pure white pearls, the pearl bush (Exochorda), is a small genus of shrubs that hail from Central Asia and China. They are easy to grow with no serious pests or diseases. Pearl bushes boast a plethora of dazzling white flowers that sprout from stems in late March and/or April. Their round, full form and simple light green leaves provide the background for mixed borders and foundation plantings (gardens located around the base of the house). Their lustrous snowy white pearl-like buds open to reveal a 1½” flowers with five cup-shaped petals in March & April. Their flower clusters appear on the new growth at the end of mature stems, therefore it’s important to prune them immediately after they finish flowering. Pearl bushes are a pretty addition to gardens where the soil is moist, rich and drains well. Select a location where it gets full sun or light shade to ensure an abundance of their lovely blossoms. With all the many colours in the garden, the pearl bush’s brilliant pure white flowers bring life and brightness in gardens and harmony as ties different gardens and plants together, so the garden is more cohesive. Plant breeders have developed numerous cultivars boasting larger flowers and other significant attributes apart.
Their pale green foliage provides a nice backdrop in the garden.
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THE GARDEN WEBSITE INDEX
Click on the links below to be redirected.
for the tropical Gardener
While working in Florida as horticultural consultant, it became apparent that there was a need for a book on tropical shrubs. There are so many wonderful shrubs to choose from, so I wrote a reference book to make the selections easier. Ornamental Tropical Shrubs includes pictures in full colour and information about the plants in point form. So if you live in the tropics and subtropics and need a reference book on tropical shrubs, or you just want to have a look-see click here.
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