The Garden Website.com for April
Amanda's Garden Consulting Company
Barberry flowers.
Garden Chores for April
Ornamental cherry blossoms in Vancouver.
In This Issue
Thalia narcissus.
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New Videos:
Click on the underlined links for gardening videos. Video: Planting Dahlias Video: Dividing Dahlias Video: Planting Tuberous Begonias Video: Dividing Begonias Video: Pruning a Shrub Rose in Spring Video: Pruning Climbing Rose in Spring Video: Disinfecting Garden Pruning Gear Video: Potting up Tomato Seedlings Video: Potting Cell Pack Tomato Seedlings Videos: Amanda's YouTube Channel Plant Police Video: The worst thing to find. New Article: How to Harden Off Plants April Garden Stars April Garden Chores April Flower Arrangement Plant of the Month: Saucer Magnolia |
Fellow Gardeners..
Hello Fellow Gardeners,
I don’t want to scare you away from gardening this month, but I have to warn you – April’s garden chores are lengthy. I hope to get to all the stuff on the list, including removing all the dead plants from my garden. That prolonged cold snap in January was a killer. I’ve lost a few plants. My hebes got the heebie-jeebies and kicked-the-bucket. No sign of life at all. My garlic was doing fab with lovely green shoots in preparation for an early spring but they got decimated by Jack Frost. A few made it, but I must replant. And where are all my daffodils? Where’s everyone else’s? Another fatality was my Blue Star lithodora. It had pulled through after a few nasty winters in the past. Even when it looked half dead, it rallied and sprang back to life. Alas, my poor blue star lithodora is now just a star in the sky. Living on the south coast of British Columbia, we are blessed with temperate weather. It’s not too hot in the summer, and the winters are rainy and grey with a chance of snow, which doesn’t last. Last fall, our mild autumn continued into January. Plants were fooled and began to grow, just like my garlic. They would have been okay with a brief spell of below freezing temperatures, however, it was too cold for too long. If only it hadn’t been so warm and balmy before the deep freeze, they would have probably survived. I will be replacing my hebes and lithodora with other hardier plants. Although it has been suggested that with global warming we need to grow more tropicals, I don’t think that’s the answer. After that frigid weather in January, it would be prudent to select plants that have a wide hardiness range because. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to do more to protect plants in the winter either. I must make a point of it this coming autumn. I am also not impressed that we didn’t get enough snow or rain this winter. I want rain, not sunshine and blue skies. It’s spring, after all so let it rain. Just to let you know I am that crabby person that complains when the weather is nice when we need the rain. In the meantime, I have been busy doing some garden videos with the help of Fox Prismatic. Check out the many garden videos at Amanda’s Garden Channel and I hope they find them useful. Happy gardening! Cheers, Amanda Garden Club eVentsGet the word out! Click here to list your garden club plant sales, fundraisers, garden tour & other events.
It was a lovely sunny day at South Delta's Garden Tour last year.
The White Rock/South Surrey Garden Club’s Annual Plant Sale
Saturday May 11, 2024 9 am - 1 pm Ocean Park Community Hall 1577 128 St, Surrey, BC Plant Sale, Baked Goods, Flower Market, Door Prizes, Raffle |
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plant police
I was all set to do a video on climbing my beautious climbing rose, Tropical Lightning. I was looking forward to ridding it of all the dead canes that were caused from an underground ant infestation. I managed to get it through that ordeal. I didn't want to prune it until I had Foxx from Prismatic Fox Media to film it.
We were eager to get started, and all was going tickety boo, until I went to prune the large dead cane from it's base. What I found meant that the rose had to come out and our pruning of a climbing rose took on another turn. And to top it off, if I want to grow another rose there (which I do) I have to replace the soil. It's all explained in the video. So instead of ditching the video, we decided to run with the issue and use it as a learning tool. It's such a shame I lost such a gorgeous rose - darn it. For more plant videos, check out my Amanda's YouTube Channel. |
April Garden Stars
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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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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Serviceberry, Amelanchier canadensis, deciduous tree, to 30' x 20', sun to part shade, fall colour. Zones 4 to 8
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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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‘Bob’s Blue’, Rhododendron, broadleaf evergreen, 3 to 4’, x 3’, part sun. Zones 7 to 9.
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'Superba Salmon Horizon' flowering quince, Chaenomeles 'Superba Salmon Horizon', thorny deciduous shrub, yellow fruit, 5-6’ x 5’. Zones 4 to 8. Click on pic for more.
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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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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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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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Dog tooth violet, fawn lilies, Erythronium spp. perennial bulb, part shade, 6 to 12”, Zones 4 to 9.
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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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English wallflower, Erysimum (Cheiranthus) cheiri, biennial, 6" to 2ft, sun to shade, self-seeds. Zones 7 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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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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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.
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English primrose, Primula vulgaris, perennial, 6” x 6-9”, light shade, moist soil. Zones 4 to 8.
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Double weeping cherry, Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula Flora Plena', weeping deciduous tree, 15-25’, sun. Zones 5 to 8.
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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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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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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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April Garden Chores
Check-in on the Garden
A walk through the garden alerts you to issues.
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This dead looking hebe shoes signs of life.
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There's no need to dig up dead plants.
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This stem is dead.
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This stem is alive - yay.
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It’s April so plants should be growing with gusto and if they are not, they might need your help. Don’t be too quick to toss out the dead looking ones. If there’s any green growth – it’s alive. Another way to check for life is to scratch the stems with your thumbnail, and if it is green underneath, it’s alive. Even if the entire plant looks dead, the roots may still be viable. Give it a chance to grow again by removing all their dead stems. If indeed, it has snuffed it, don’t dig it up. Those roots, even though they are dead, will decompose to provide nutrients to the soil. Here's more on Garden Inspections.
Spring Bulbs, Perennials, Heathers & Ornamental Grasses
Remove the seed heads from tulips & other spring flowering bulbs.
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Wait for the leaves of spring bulbs to die before cutting them off.
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Trim off the dead flowers from healthers.
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Cut back ornamental grasses, preferably before it sprouts new growth.
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Divide perennials when the centre is unproductive.
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Keep their foliage on until it starts to yellow as it provides food for next year’s flower. Pinch off the dead blossoms from tulips and daffodils so they don't set seed, and to encourage large flowers for next year.
Heather: Cut back heathers once they have finished flowering. Don't cut either one back too far; just below the flower spikes. This keeps plants compact.
Ornamental Grasses: Cut them back to a couple of inches before they start to sport new growth.
Perennials: Divide overcrowded perennials by digging them up and replanting, or pot them up. Discard the centre of the mother plant if it is old and non-productive.
Heather: Cut back heathers once they have finished flowering. Don't cut either one back too far; just below the flower spikes. This keeps plants compact.
Ornamental Grasses: Cut them back to a couple of inches before they start to sport new growth.
Perennials: Divide overcrowded perennials by digging them up and replanting, or pot them up. Discard the centre of the mother plant if it is old and non-productive.
Use Your Compost
Fertilize your roses with compost.
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Add shredded newspaper if your compost is too dry.
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Now is the time to use your compost.
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If you have compost, now is the time to use it. Dig out the well-rotted stuff from the compost bin and place it in a wheelbarrow or bucket. Leave a few inches of the compost to inoculate this year’s batch. Mix some of it in around roses, trees, shrubs, perennials, veggie gardens and garden beds. Return all large, un-decomposed pieces to the bottom of the compost bin for further decomposition. For more on how to compost click on Composting.
Boring Garden?
All kinds of stores sell plants in spring including grocery stores.
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Plant nurseries feature displays of the 'hot' plants of the season.
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Read plant labels to help with plant selection.
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There’s no need to suffer a dull garden. Check out this month's April Garden Stars for examples. Find them at garden centres, plant nurseries, home hardware stores and even some grocery stores. Before purchasing plants, check their their size and growing conditions. Hold on to those labels to refer to later. I take pictures of mine and store them in my computer.
What to Prune and What Not to Prune in April
It's too late to prune wisterias.
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Pruning apples and other fruit trees will leave you fruitless!
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Wait to prune oak trees where there is Oak Wilt.
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Watch out for birds nests when pruning.
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Wait to tidy up any spring flowering plants that have not yet flowered as you will be removing their blossoms: wisterias, grapes, azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, lily-of-the-valley shrub (Pieris japonica), forsythias, lilacs, Mexican mock orange (Choisya) honeysuckles, deutzias, mock orange, and fruit trees. Remove all dead growth from winter damaged plants. Only prune oak trees when they are dormant, especially in Ontario and other parts of eastern North America. During the growing season, and especially in spring, their sap attracts a beetle that spreads the deadly disease, Oak Wilt. FYI, it's bird nesting season so inspect trees and shrubs before pruning. For more on pruning click on Pruning Basics 101, and check out the tools that make pruning easier Pruning Tools.
Remove dead branches any time of year.
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Remove all suckers any time of year.
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Click on the pic to learn what to prune and how.
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Prune Any Time of Year: Asap remove suckers, watersprouts, anything that’s dead, diseased and infected broken plant parts.
Pruning 101: Keep your plants healthy and happy by learning more about pruning here. If you need personal instruction on how and when to prune your plants, make an appointment here. To disinfect your tools, check out this quick video.
Pruning 101: Keep your plants healthy and happy by learning more about pruning here. If you need personal instruction on how and when to prune your plants, make an appointment here. To disinfect your tools, check out this quick video.
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Pruning Hydrangeas: Don’t cut them back too far as you will be removing all their lovely blossoms. Just cut off their dead flowers, right above a couple fat buds. Also remove any dead and spindly stems. Learn more about hydrangeas here.
Pruning Roses & Rose Care
Promote healthy & happy roses by starting them off right in spring.
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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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Roses: Remove all dead, diseased, spindly and old canes. Take out any that are growing 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.
Lawn Care
Hatley Castle, Vancouver Island.
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A soil test is a good idea.
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Lawns only need an inch of water a week.
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Set your mower height to 2 inches in the spring, no lower.
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Use a starter fertilizer, high in the middle number, when seeding and sodding lawns.
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Repair existing lawns and lay new ones.
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Don’t wait to take care of your lawn as summer will soon be upon us. Our northern grasses grow vigorously when it’s cool and wet but suffer through the heat and drought of summer. Timing is everything so renovate existing lawns and plant new ones asap. 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.
There are many misconceptions associated with maintaining a lawn. They are not water hogs as many believe as they only need an inch to an inch and a half once a week. It’s not the grass’ fault that people overwater and ply them with fertilizers loaded with nitrogen and little else. For more click on Lawn Maintenance - Lawn Care 101 - Spring Lawn Care
There are many misconceptions associated with maintaining a lawn. They are not water hogs as many believe as they only need an inch to an inch and a half once a week. It’s not the grass’ fault that people overwater and ply them with fertilizers loaded with nitrogen and little else. For more click on Lawn Maintenance - Lawn Care 101 - Spring Lawn Care
Critters and birds dig up lawns as they feast on grubs.
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Lawn that are cut too short are loved by all types of lawn grubs.
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Chafer beetle grubs are a prevalent lawn pest in British Columbia.
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Lawn Grubs: Chinch bugs, chafer beetles, sod webworms and leatherjackets – they all love to feed on grass roots. They favour mossy lawns, weedy lawns, half dead lawns, scalped lawns and thirsty ones. They are not prevalent in healthy grass. Correct maintenance is the reason why lawns are healthy. Click on Lawn Grub Control for more.
What to Plant This Month
New plants are set out waiting to be planted.
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Pull down burlap as far as you can when planting ball & burlap plants.
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Don't wait to transplant any trees, shrubs, vines and perennials.
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It’s April and time to get planting – yay! The soil has lost the chill of winter and is moist from all the plentiful rain. Plants love the conditions and have an easy time establishing themselves into their new homes. The sooner new trees and vines are planted the better. It gives them time to root before the heat and drought of summer. This also includes any plants you want to transplant from one area of the garden to another.
Planting Success
Plant trees so their trunk flare sits above the ground.
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This tree looks like a pencil stuck in the ground because it's trunk flare is hidden.
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Plant peonies so the eyes (future stems) sit no lower than 2 inches or else they won't flower. Click on the pic for more.
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It’s sad for me to see well intentioned gardeners wasting their time, energy and money on plants only to see them die because they were planted incorrectly or they haven’t maintained them thereafter. Here’s some tips, but for more information click on How to Plant. Water the ground and plant the day before planting. Don’t plant them if they are wilting, and certainly not in dry soil. Loosen roots so they grow into the ground and firm the soil around the roots so there’s no air spaces. Install trees so their trunk flare (where the trunk joins the roots) above the ground. Plant shrubs so the crown (where the stems and roots join) sits level with the soil. Water thoroughly after planting so all the roots and surrounding soil is moistened. Dig down with a trowel to make sure. Water thoroughly every other day until new growth emerges, then water once a week thereafter. Words of love and encouragement are also beneficial.
What to Sow Outside & How
Prepare soil before sowing your seeds.
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Don't plant too much of one thing at the same time.
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The back of seed packets hold essential information.
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During the month of April, the soil conditions are suitable to sow some hardy and semi-hardy, quick growing crops and flowers. Prepare the soil first by removing all debris and weeds, then mix in an inch or two of compost, SeaSoil, triple mix (a bagged mix of compost, topsoil & peatmoss). There’s no need to dig to China, just mix it up with a rake, cultivator or garden fork. Rake level, then water and wait a few days to allow the soil to settle.
Sow the seeds as directed on the seed package, but don’t overdo, unless you want to feed the neighbourhood. To spread out harvesting of quick growing crops such as radishes, spinach and peas, sow every three to four weeks.
Suitable veggie seeds to sow outside now includes radishes, carrots, beets, lettuce, kale, radish, peas, broad beans, arugula, broccoli, cabbage, onions and spinach. Flowers include nasturtiums, calendula, sweet peas, clarkia, marigolds, poppies, cosmos and nigella.
Sow the seeds as directed on the seed package, but don’t overdo, unless you want to feed the neighbourhood. To spread out harvesting of quick growing crops such as radishes, spinach and peas, sow every three to four weeks.
Suitable veggie seeds to sow outside now includes radishes, carrots, beets, lettuce, kale, radish, peas, broad beans, arugula, broccoli, cabbage, onions and spinach. Flowers include nasturtiums, calendula, sweet peas, clarkia, marigolds, poppies, cosmos and nigella.
Sow carrots and radish seeds together.
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Avoid touching carrot foliage as their scent attracts carrot rust flies.
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A nice harvest.
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A word about carrots: Wait until April to plant carrots as they don’t like chilly soil. Their seeds are very small so mix them with sand or radish seedlings to prevent overcrowding. Carrot seeds take up to 3 weeks to germinate, so make sure they are kept moist during that time, or they won’t germinate.
What to Sow Inside
Sow tomato seeds asap!
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I like to sow cucumbers indoors.
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Sow calendula seeds.
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It’s a bit too chilly to sow warm season crops and flowers outside but they can be started indoors. It gives them a head start so they will flower and produce a bit earlier. It also provides them with added protection from slugs, wireworms and cutworms. Suitable plants include marigolds, sunflowers, calendulas, nasturtiums, melons, cucumbers, peas and beans. If you haven't sown tomatoes, peppers, aubergines and other warm season crops, don't delay! To find out more about the seeds you are planting, read the back of the seed packet on where, how, and when to plant them. Here's a few tips and techniques to make growing seeds more successful: Growing Seeds Indoors - Damping-off a Seedling Killer
Once seedlings are big enough to be handled and have at least four to six leaves, they can be potted on to larger pots. Here's a couple of videos to show you my method. Potting Tomato Seedlings - Transplanting Tomato Cell Pac Seedlings
Love tomatoes? There's nothing tastier than homegrown. Here's a few tips I've learned along the way: Tomato Seedling to Plants - Tomato Tips.
I like planting peas in my greenhouse to protect them from slugs and insects. Once they have at least four sets of leaves, harden them off then plant them in the garden. Check out my video of planting my pea seedlings outside. The only exceptions for starting seeds indoors or in a greenhouse are carrots, beets and other root crops. They need to be sown directly into the ground.
Once seedlings are big enough to be handled and have at least four to six leaves, they can be potted on to larger pots. Here's a couple of videos to show you my method. Potting Tomato Seedlings - Transplanting Tomato Cell Pac Seedlings
Love tomatoes? There's nothing tastier than homegrown. Here's a few tips I've learned along the way: Tomato Seedling to Plants - Tomato Tips.
I like planting peas in my greenhouse to protect them from slugs and insects. Once they have at least four sets of leaves, harden them off then plant them in the garden. Check out my video of planting my pea seedlings outside. The only exceptions for starting seeds indoors or in a greenhouse are carrots, beets and other root crops. They need to be sown directly into the ground.
Hardening Off Plants
These basil seedlings were not hardened off properly.
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Keep a watering can handy when preparing for planting outside.
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You can’t put plants outside without preparing them first. This includes all your seedlings you’ve grown indoors and any houseplants and tropical plants that are looking forward to vacationing outside on your deck or patio. They’ve been living in the comfort of your home or greenhouse where the temperatures don’t fluctuate like they do outdoors. There’s no scorching sunshine, no drying winds, no chilly gusts, no raging storms nor pelting rain. They must be toughened up so they can face the world. To learn how click on Hardening Off Plants.
What Not to Plant Outside This Month
Zinnias
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Petunias
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Peppers
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Tomatoes
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Wait until May, after the danger of frost has passed to plant warm season crops: tomatoes, peppers, eggplants (aubergines), zucchinis, melons, cucumbers, corn, squash, beans. Plant most flowers now except for marigolds, petunias, impatiens, marigolds, annual salvias, coleus, sunflowers and other tender bedding plants.
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
Potatoes
Seed potatoes are found in bags where plants are sold.
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'Chitting' prepares spuds for planting.
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Plant potatoes in trenches, and don't add lime to the soil.
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Purchase seed potatoes in bags where plants are sold. Despite the name, seed potatoes are not seeds at all but cute little spuds. Plant them this month or in May. Don’t lime the soil as it promotes potato scab. For more on spuds click here.
Controlling Plant Eating Bugs
Leaf minors in a columbine.
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A June beetle. Click on pic for more.
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Aphids on a hellebore.
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Cabbage worm.
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Some of the Good Guys
A monarch butterfly.
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A pollen coated bee.
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Ladybugs eat aphids.
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Don’t even think about killing all the insects in the garden – naughty, naughty! If you spray plants with insecticides, even soap and water, it kills all bugs including bees, ladybugs and butterflies. Aphids are out in full force as they devour new spring foliage. Tempting as it is to kill them, think again as ladybugs will also meet their demise. 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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There many ways to lure mollusks to their demise.
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Copper is another way to control slugs & snails.
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Cloches & Floating Row Covers: Protect carrots from carrot rust fly, cabbage worm, leaf minors on chard, spinach & other leafy crops by covering them. This is an easy and non-toxic method to stop adult insects from laying their eggs and infesting your crops. For more click on Cloches.
Snails & Slugs: They come out at night and when it’s cloudy & raining. Plants grown in shade are also vulnerable. There are many methods to protect plants including beer, bait, copper and other techniques. For more click on Slugs & Snails.
Snails & Slugs: They come out at night and when it’s cloudy & raining. Plants grown in shade are also vulnerable. There are many methods to protect plants including beer, bait, copper and other techniques. For more click on Slugs & Snails.
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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Don't be afraid to mix annuals & perennials together.
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Plant them up now so they will be ready for May. Note that when using tender plants, such as petunias, wax begonias, coleus & impatiens, they need to be protected from any frost. If frost is predicted, cover with frost blankets, bedsheets or other breathable fabric or place them in a greenhouse with a heater. Use fresh potting soil, preferably with a slow release fertilizer added. Don’t put rocks in the bottom of pots as it HINDERS drainage. If it did work, then all plants from garden centres and plant nurseries would contain rocks – and they don’t. Don’t believe me click on Rocks in Pots.
To learn more about container gardening click on Growing in Containers, Types of Containers.
To learn more about container gardening click on Growing in Containers, Types of Containers.
Feeding Plants
Healthy soil contain worms.
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Humik acid is an organic soil amendment.
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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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Nutrient rich soil is the ideal food source for plants. Chemical fertilizers such as Miracle Grow and Scotts fertilizers, diminish the nutrient rich organic matter in the soil and kills earthworms and other beneficial soil organisms. Compost provides food for plants, earthworms and soil microbes. Other soil additives include SeaSoil, triple mix and well-rotted manure. There are also wonderful organic fertilizers including kelp, fish and Gaia products. To further aid in soil fertility and health, add a 3-inch layer of an organic mulch. As it breaks down, it converts into plant food – naturally. To learn more about Fertilizing & Feeding Plants click here. To learn about Organic Options click here. Learn what the fertilizer numbers mean click here.
Birdies & Critters
Leave twigs, string and other items for nesting birds.
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The bird bath is probably green by now.
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Make sure feeders are kept clean and preferably dry.
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Rabbits are hungry critters.
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Spring is obviously a critical time for birds as it’s nesting season. They need food, water, places to nest and nesting materials. To help them out, hang a suet cage filled with yarn, twine, hair, pet fur, shredded paper and skinny sticks. Cut everything into 3 to 6 inches pieces. Disinfect feeders with soap, water and bleach, dry thoroughly and restock with fresh seed. Disinfect bird baths, rinse thoroughly and add fresh water. Also disinfect hummingbird feeders and add fresh nectar.
Critters in the garden? It's spring and they are hungry with extra mouths to feed. There's numerous methods to deter them. Click on Critters in the Garden.
Critters in the garden? It's spring and they are hungry with extra mouths to feed. There's numerous methods to deter them. Click on Critters in the Garden.
Weeds & Herbicides
RoundUp, is it as safe as they say it is?
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A public notice at Mud Bay Beach in BC.
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Fatty acids are an organic & safe alternative.
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In my profession, the use of chemicals was commonly used to kill insects and weeds until research proved they were toxic. Most of these chemicals have been banned, except for the weedkiller glyphosate, which is found in the common herbicide Roundup. Despite the research that proves it’s toxic to people, animals and the environment, it is still widely used. Roundup (glyphosate) is linked to numerous cancers and health issues. If you want more information on the research, click on RoundUp .
There are safer alternative herbicides available. Find them where garden products are sold. Look for Safer’s herbicide and others that contain fatty acids, and horticultural grade vinegar herbicides. Another option is to make your own. Mix 4 parts white vinegar, 1 park Epsom salts and a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid. Select a strong vinegar with 11% acetic acid. Use a spray bottle to apply the solution to the weed and spray thoroughly. Protect nearby plants with a piece of cardboard or a pot. As with any herbicide, including Roundup, herbicides must be reapplied every 7 days until the victim is well and truly dead. To increase the effectiveness of the herbicide, spray it on the plant when it is in full sun. Avoid spraying on windy days, when the leaves are wet and when rain is forecast.
If you don’t want to see plants slowly dying and repeat spraying is not an option, consider the old tried and true method of hand weeding. There are many effective weeding tools available to help out. And don’t forget to apply a 3 inch layer of mulch over the top of the soil as mulch hinders weeds from growing. To remove horsetail and bindweed, click here.
There are safer alternative herbicides available. Find them where garden products are sold. Look for Safer’s herbicide and others that contain fatty acids, and horticultural grade vinegar herbicides. Another option is to make your own. Mix 4 parts white vinegar, 1 park Epsom salts and a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid. Select a strong vinegar with 11% acetic acid. Use a spray bottle to apply the solution to the weed and spray thoroughly. Protect nearby plants with a piece of cardboard or a pot. As with any herbicide, including Roundup, herbicides must be reapplied every 7 days until the victim is well and truly dead. To increase the effectiveness of the herbicide, spray it on the plant when it is in full sun. Avoid spraying on windy days, when the leaves are wet and when rain is forecast.
If you don’t want to see plants slowly dying and repeat spraying is not an option, consider the old tried and true method of hand weeding. There are many effective weeding tools available to help out. And don’t forget to apply a 3 inch layer of mulch over the top of the soil as mulch hinders weeds from growing. To remove horsetail and bindweed, click here.
April's Arrangement
April 2024
Madam's headdress is compiled of lily-of-the-valley shrub, hellebores, skimmia and Korean lilac. For a numbered guide to the specific flower names and for other arrangements go to Monthly Flower Arrangements
April Plant of the month
Saucer/Tulip Magnolia
Saucer magnolias are also referred to as tulip magnolias as their blossoms resemble tulips.
Saucer magnolias are suitable for small gardens.
An unknown cultivar has flowers up to 10 inches wide.
Jurmagi is a black saucer/tulip magnolia.
A stunning pink magnolia cultivar!
Saucer magnolia become and often multi-stemmed as they age.
VanDusen Botanical Garden has a large collection of magnolias
Alexandrina, a saucer magnolia at VanDusen Botanical Gardens.
Alexandrina saucer magnolia
Foliage is simple and arranged alternately along the stem.
Just about to pop!
Flowers open up wide just before petal fall.
So many huge flowers!
Flowers are cupped-shaped.
Flowers and pussy willow type flower buds are backlit in the setting sun.
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Common Name: saucer magnolia
Botanical Name: Magnolia x soulangeana Form: broad shrub or small tree Family: Magnoliaceae Genus: Magnolia Species: soulangeana Plant Type: deciduous tree Mature Size: 20 to 25 feet tall and wide Growth: fast Origin: a hybrid from France Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9 Foliage: 3”- 6” (8-15 cm) long and half the width, pubescent (hairy) undersides, obovate (wider in the middle), alternate, medium green that turn golden brown in fall Flowers: March/April, showy, fragrant up to 10” (25 cm) before leaves emerge, goblet shaped, pink with white petals with purple on the outside, many different coloured cultivars available, buds are covered with fuzzy scales and resemble pussy willows Fruit: cylindrical, aggregate, 4” (10 cm) clusters with large, red shiny seeds that burst out of the capsule in autumn Stems: smooth, grey bark Exposure: sun to partial shade Soil: grows best in moist, rich, well-drained soil Uses: specimen, small gardens, accent, container, espalier, courtyards Attracts: birds, butterflies Invasive Tendencies: not invasive Propagation: cuttings in spring, fall, and winter. Pruning: midsummer Problems: dislikes dry or wet soils, magnolia scale, leafspot, canker, honey fungus Comments: Nothing is as spectacular as saucer magnolias when they are in flower. Their leafless stems burst with a profusion of huge goblet shaped flowers in March and April. They are stunning! Saucer magnolias is a hybrid developed by a French plantsman in the 17th century. He crossed Magnolia denudate with M. liliiflora to produce this incredible offspring. It’s magnificent fragrant flowers consist of 9 tepals (petals that are fused together). Their cupped shaped blossoms are white with tints of pink on the inside, and purple on the outside. Saucer magnolias not only show off in the spring with all their gorgeous blossoms, their flower buds also resemble pussy willows. Two brown fuzzy scales protect the flowers throughout the winter then drop-off as the flowers open. Their pussy willow buds offer up some winter interest combined with their silver grey bark and broad spreading rounded canopy. Conditions Because saucer magnolias flower early in the season, frost might still be an issue. Avoid planting where they will waken too early spring as the flower buds will abort, therefore don’t plant them against the south side of the house. Place them where they are protected from harsh winds that may freeze their fuzzy flower buds. Saucer magnolias need a moist, rich soil that’s contains plenty of organic matter. They don’t do well in poorly drained soils and ones that are too arid that lack organic matter. A three-inch layer of organic mulch is essential as it keeps the soil moist, fertile and insulates against temperature extremes. As they grow & pruning Immature saucer magnolias are slender and upright but as they age, their canopy expands becoming broad, round and spreading. It’s not uncommon for a single trunk to form branches at the base creating a multi-stemmed trunk, leading them to also be grown as large shrubs. Their branches grow every which way; crossing into the centre of the plant and at crazy angles. This, in a way, adds to their allure, however pruning is often needed to remove errant branches. Prune immediately after petal drop before the foliage emerges or wait until midsummer. Don’t prune in winter as you will be removing all their flowers. Cut off branches growing towards the centre of the plant, and ones that rub and cross. Since their growth is very irregular, there will be many odd branches growing every which way, don’t go overboard trying to make it perfect. Only remove ¼ of overall growth, no more. Since they have such an irregular branching habit, learn to love it’s funky look as much as you love their gorgeous flowers. Cultivars There are lots of saucer magnolia cultivars and all are beautiful. Flower colours have expanded from white and pink with purple undersides to maroon, yellow, red and magenta. 
Flowers resemble stars when they open.
Flower buds resemble pussy willows.
A pure white cultivar.
Pink flowers look fab against the blue sky.
A saucer magnolia in summer.
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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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