National Bug Week
We Americans seem to have a penchant for designating and observing varying “weeks” and “months” dedicated to promoting or memorializing certain projects or events.
The month of April could be designated – and very fittingly – as National Bug Week, with the populace requested to lend a concerted hand to the extermination of insect pests.
All winter-drowsy aphids, beetles, and bugs suddenly awaken during the warm days of early spring with an aggravated conception of their responsibility for increasing their kind.
Here in the South, where the winters are not sufficiently severe to kill off many of the insects, the problem is intensified.
Fortunately, young insects are easier to kill than mature ones. Their tender coatings give less protection from dusts and sprays than the tough skins of the adults, and they are also more easily destroyed by internal poisons. If you get to work right away on these hordes of youngsters, you’ll have far less trouble later in the year.
Iron Chelates
There is always some controversial discussion in the South relative to the merits of chelated iron under varying situations. Tests show that sprays of this material on selected chlorotic (iron-deficient) ornamental shrubs and grasses have resulted in excellent greening.
Iron deficiencies on lawns, citrus fruits, and ornamental shrubs are widespread and somewhat acute in some sections of the South and Southwest, where high lime soils are found. Iron sulfate (copperas), commonly used to correct yellowing, is not always effective. The chelates seem to be especially effective in treating both gardenias and hollies.
Annuals
April is the month for planting annuals throughout the South and Southwest. Even the tender ones may be planted outdoors through the Mid-South and the Gulf Coast area all through the month.
In the Upper South, plant the half-hardy ones during the first half and the tender ones during the last half of the month. Of course, your planting of annuals will include All-America Selections of celosia, petunias, and New Guinea impatiens.
While petunias, marigolds, and zinnias are among our most popular annuals, why not add something different for variety? Here are several good ones to plant now:
- Ageratum
- Alyssum
- Amaranthus
- Anchusa
- Baby’s-breath
- Balsam
- Blue lace-flower
- Calliopsis
- Candytuft
- Celosia
- Clarkia
- Cleome
- Cornflower
- Cosmos
- Gaillardia
- Linaria
- Lobelia
- Nasturtium
- Portulaca
- Salpiglossis
- Salvia
- Scabiosa
- Sunflower
- Vinca
- Wall-flower
Why not try one of them?
While we are on the subject of annuals, let me suggest that the annual vines are among our most useful garden flowers.
They not only have great beauty in both plant and flower, but they are a wonderful help in covering up things we would rather the neighbors did not see! The morning glories, cardinal flower, and moonvine are especially good.
There is yet time to plant such permanent vines as clematis, Queen’s wreath, silver lace vine, and wisteria.
Lawns
I doubt if there is any better time to build permanent lawns in the Mid-South and Lower South than late March through April, especially where the sprigging or sodding method is employed.
The spring rains will get the newly planted grass off to a quick start. If there are bad spots in the lawn, repair them now. If you have no sod or sprigs available, try working up the soil for a depth of several inches, fertilizing, and seeding the spot.
Gardening Tips
If you do not feel justified in buying gerbera plants, however, you can grow them from seeds you sow now. Some of the seedlings should bloom in the fall.
In late March and early April, outdoor-grown amaryllis will be at their best, and you’ll no doubt wish you’d planted more of them. The flowers are easily cross-pollinated, and plants are readily grown from seed.
The anthers and stigmas are obvious to anyone. Just pinch off a pollen-bearing stamen and dust the pollen on the stigmatic surface of the flower which you want to bear the seed.
If you wish to use pollen on flowers that open later, it may be kept in the refrigerator for several weeks without losing its viability.
As a rule, it is better not to plant large-flowering chrysanthemums until May. However, if it is more convenient to plant now, go ahead, but be sure to pinch the plants back next month.
Early this month is a good time to divide and reset most of the perennials grown in the South. Asters, cannas, daisies, phlox, physostegia, and others that are showing good growth should be given attention now.
The fancy-leaved caladiums have many uses. Now that they may be had in named varieties of separate colors, intriguing color combinations can be developed. The white-leaved varieties are especially striking when used in front of dark-foliaged plants of any kind.
For outdoor planting it is better to start the bulbs in sand in pots placed in a sunny spot. Cool, over-wet soil will cause the bulbs to rot before sprouting.
April is the month of flower shows in the South. Take time out to attend all the shows possible, and do not fail to cooperate with your neighbors in promoting the local shows.
As soon as the flowers of the potted Easter lilies fade, plant the bulbs outdoors. Turn the pots upside down and tap on a solid object. The earth ball will come out intact and can be planted without disturbing the roots of the lilies.
Many of the spring-flowering shrubs will have finished their bloom by late April and should be pruned immediately. Early pruning of these spring-bloomers will encourage heavy growth of new wood.
In the kitchen garden, all manner of things can be planted this month: bush and pole beans, beets, carrots, corn, cucumbers, cantaloupes, endive, kale, lettuce, mustard, turnips, tender-greens, squash, okra, and black-eyed peas. You may also set out eggplant, peppers, and sweet potatoes.
FG0455-44695 by Ben Arthur Davis