April Garden Notes

Mulch…

After the long, cold, rainy winter, it is time to mulch!! We want to keep all that gorgeous moisture in the ground helping the soil. You can use bark, dry leaves, straw, or cover crop clippings. Be sure to add some extra appropriate plant food and compost to the base of plants before mulching. Surround them at the base of the plants and in the raised beds. Using a mulch is beneficial for the soil, keeping the moisture in the soil and reducing the amount of water that evaporates as the temperatures heat up. It also adds air flow allowing the organic matter to breakdown in the moisture. Water in the early evening to allow the water to soak in. Happy mulching!

What to do in your garden in April?

It is finally time to plant!! Prior to planting pay attention to the sun and where the most sun is in your garden. Plant veggies in full sun. A few favorites are tomatoes, zucchini cucumbers, beans, eggplant, sweet and spicy peppers, summer squash, and butternut squash. For cucumbers be sure to provide a climbing structure with some support you will have an increase in yield. Plant lettuces, basil, cilantro close to veggies that will get tall and provide shade in the heat of the summer.  It is also a great time to seed your favorite pollinator flowers. Add compost to soil and stick your pointer finger down into the soil about half way.. toss in a few seeds, water and watch it grow!