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