Breaking ground

Crested irises (Iris cristata) are native to Arkansas forests and are only about 6 inches tall. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette/Janet B. Carson)
Crested irises (Iris cristata) are native to Arkansas forests and are only about 6 inches tall. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette/Janet B. Carson)

APRIL

What unusual times we are living in. But for gardeners there are no more excuses for having no time to garden -- we have lots of time on our hands. If you want to boost your spirits, get out and dig in the dirt. There is plenty of work to do, and April is a great time to be outside. From planting to pruning, cleanup to mulching, there is plenty of gardening work that can occupy your time.

We just need good weather to do our tasks.

• The weather is still erratic, almost 90 one day and in the 30s another. Everyone is ready to plant all types of things that they just need to wait a few more weeks to plant. Everywhere you look you see tomato plants, peppers, basil, even watermelon plants. These are heat-loving plants, and temperatures are just not consistent yet. If you want to deal with having to cover them if the temperatures drop, then go for it, but be prepared.

• There is still time to plant cool-season things for another week or two, so plant some lettuce and radishes that will give a quick return.

• By midmonth, you can start to plant tomatoes and peppers, but don't rush things. Keep enjoying your winter garden if you have one. Many of the cool-season vegetables are bolting or in full bloom. That signals their end. I have been leaving some of mine in the garden to take up space until I plant warm-season things, and the bees like the flowers.

• The same is true of annual flowers -- hold off planting summer color just a bit.

• The flowering kale and cabbage are all blooming, signaling the end of their season, but we'll enjoy them for a week or two.

• There are still great blooms on pansies and violas, and I have never seen the giant red mustard as large as it is this season. It is stunning in the garden and should last quite a bit longer. Dianthus and snapdragons are kicking into high gear and adding to the show.

• If you don't have any lingering winter annuals, there are some summer plants that will take swings of cold and hot. Calibrachoa, petunias and geraniums can handle this weather just fine, but lantana, vinca and Sunpatiens want warm soils and air. You don't want to replant, so be patient and enjoy what you have.

• Spring-blooming shrubs are putting on a great show now, and signs of life are appearing on most deciduous plants, too. You can begin to assess winter damage (if you have any) but don't be too quick to prune back. Hydrangeas are leafing out, and some gardeners are finding all growth at the soil line, while others have full leaves up the branches. Give it a couple of weeks before you cut out dead growth. You can remove lingering spent flowers.

• If you haven't pruned roses yet this season due to all the rain, you have two choices. Prune them now and wait a little longer for your first blooms, or let them bloom and then cut them back. Prune spring-blooming plants as needed after they finish flowering. Once all your spring bloomers have finished flowering, fertilize all the shrubs in the garden at one time.

• The fact that tropical plants are available today at nurseries and garden centers does not mean it is time to move your houseplants outdoors. Late April to early May would be a safer bet. Look at the forecast for the week ahead. We saw upper 30s to low 40s recently. Tropical plants really don't like it below 50 degrees.

• Start mowing your lawn now. You aren't mowing grass yet, but if you have winter weeds, they are a mess right now. Mowing to keep seed set down can help, but it is really too late to be spraying to try and kill them. Winter weeds are ending, and summer weeds will be taking their place soon. It is still too soon to fertilize -- you would only be helping to feed the weeds now, and they don't need any extra help. Let your lawn grass totally green-up before you apply fertilizer so you get the added benefit of it all.

NATIVE PLANT OF THE MONTH

CRESTED IRIS, IRIS CRISTATA

Many gardeners love the tall bearded iris, but my favorite is our native dwarf crested iris. It only grows 6 inches tall and spreads out to colonize in a garden.

It is not invasive or aggressive, and it grows well in the shade but will handle morning sun. It likes well-drained soils with organic matter, but once established is quite drought tolerant.

The flowers are large in comparison to the size of the plants. The most common flower color is a violet blue, but white forms are available.

It blooms from late March through early May depending on how rapidly seasonal heat rises and where they are in the state. Mine are in full bloom now.

Read Janet Carson's blog at arkansasonline.com/planitjanet.

photo

Spring-blooming crested irises are Arkansas natives that thrive in dappled shade. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette/Janet B. Carson)

HomeStyle on 04/04/2020

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