From the garden ELLEN PEFFLEY
It is finally the month of April, after what seems to have been an odd few months.
Maybe our weather will settle into a predictable pattern now that it is spring and April is here. Yes, this is optimistic considering we may have another freeze before our average last freeze date of April 20 — but plans for a garden can still be made.
In April, gardeners are keen to get outside. Maybe that is why in the 1980s the National Garden Bureau prompted legislation to recognize April as an official time for gardening.
The National Garden Bureau (ngb.org) tells the history of National Lawn and Garden Month. Several decades ago, the National Garden Bureau worked with 23 co-sponsoring national horticultural organizations to legislate National Garden Week. In 1986 President Reagan signed the proclamation declaring the week beginning April 13 as National Garden Week. Then the National Gardening Association took this even further and in 2002 resolved to expand the week to the entire month of April.
There is a kinship among gardeners. Plants bring together folks that do not know each other, of different backgrounds and career paths. Plants give similar enjoyment, regardless a gardener’s experience.
What does this mean for West Texas gardeners? Here are a few thoughts.
Enjoy the awakening of plants this month. Trees and shrubs are beginning to bud out. Notice which trees leaf out first. Observe which trees have flowers before leaf break and those that bear flowers later in the spring or summer. Flower bulbs that were planted last fall are now rewarding those efforts – track which bulbs emerge first, the different flower types, enjoy the vibrant colors of tulips, hyacinths and other bulbs.
Coax houseplants back out onto the patio (but watch for freeze alerts). Most houseplants are tropicals in their native habitat so be mindful of temperatures that drop below 50°F. Houseplants that barely survived the low light indoors can be safely brought back outside but they likely will have tender, lanky growth so take care to protect them from strong winds. Mild breezes will strengthen foliage but harsh winds will damage tender leaves.
Radish seed can still be sown. Seed will germinate and be up within a week. Stagger plantings in weekly intervals to have a ready harvest through June.
Enjoy your April!
Ellen Peffley Harp, a retired professor of horticulture at Texas Tech University, writes about gardening for several Texas newspapers
