"April is a promise that May is bound to keep."

 Hal Borland

2. The term pound cake originated from the pound of butter needed to make it.

4. The rose family also includes pears, apples, cherries, plums, peaches, apricots, and almonds.

 

George Wedel

Some years winter just doesn't seem to be willing to move out and let spring enter. This past March, for the most part, was cool, cool and cooler. Even though cold, there was just enough sun to encourage early crocus, iris reticulate, winter aconite and snowdrops to push up through the moist, cold soil to show off their encouraging blooms. Ahh, the promise of spring!

 

Any day now our landscapes will spring to life. I never tire of the annual spring display of crocus and snowdrops in full bloom, the spikes of green foliage showing through the soil in our tulip and hyacinth beds and early daffodils that will bloom next week. The frost-free date for our area may be weeks away but there are many vegetables that can be planted now to get a "head start" on the season.  

 

When garden soils are dry enough to be worked, cool weather crops should be planted. Peas, onions, lettuce, spinach, turnips, kale, beets, potatoes, radishes and sweet peas can all be direct seeded or set out in your garden. If you winterize your roses, hydrangeas and butterfly shrubs by mounding them up with shredded bark or peat, begin uncovering now. If coverings like rose cones were used remove them on warm, sunny days but be sure to replace them on frosty nights. After you uncover rose, hydrangea and butterfly shrubs, prune all stems back to green wood.

 

It's time for the first monthly rose feeding. Fertilize roses now with five pounds of composted cow manure and ¾ cup per bush of Espoma organic-based Rose Tone. Use Espoma Rose Tone monthly with the last feeding around August first. This fertilizing program will encourage rose plants to produce the best foliage and flowers possible. Since butterfly shrubs bloom on new growth, an early spring feeding now will help the shrub produce more flowers this summer. If hydrangea shrubs were fed last October, no fertilizer is needed now; if not, feed with Espoma Holly Tone in April and June.

 

Some attention to our lawns now will reap dividends with a thicker, greener turf this summer. First, do a thorough raking to remove any matted leaves. Then lower the lawn mower setting to just above scalping to cut off dead grass blade tissue and vacuum up any remaining debris. Bare or thin spots should have a light coating of lawn soil raked in with Scotts Starter Fertilizer, add grass seed and water in well.

 

Now is a good time to check for grubs feeding on roots of grass. Control lawn grubs with Maxide Lawn Insect Killer. Maxide is new for 2011. Maxide controls not only grubs below the surface but also above-ground insects. Maxide's "Dual Action" is fast acting and lasts all season. Apply Maxide any time after April 10. If you have a flock of black birds constantly pecking at the soil in your yard, chances are they are looking for grubs.  

 

Lawn fertilizers will not perform as expected if soil pH is too high or low. Lilacs won't bloom as well. Azalea and rhododendron leaves will turn yellow. Blue hydrangea flowers won't be blue and pin oak leaves will be chlorotic. Check lawn, garden and landscape soils every few years to be sure soil pH is correct. Bring a 6x6x6 sod sample or a cup of soil from your flower bed into Wedel's Garden Center for a soil pH test. With purchase, Wedel's will test two soil samples for free.

 

What can't be purchased in a store, are some of life's necessities, are nearly priceless and can be produced on your own property? The answer is fresh fruits and vegetables harvested from your very own garden. Imagine fresh strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, gooseberries, onions, potatoes, green peas, vine ripe tomatoes, green snap beans, asparagus, apples, peaches, pears, apricots and cherries right outside your back door! All of these plants, seeds and more are now available at Wedel's for immediate planting. Reduce stress, have some fun with your family, get some great exercise and fresh air and eat like royalty with your own garden this year. Fresh is best!

 

We haven't even begun to scratch the surface of things we can do now. This is the time of year to begin work on new beds and gardens, to do some repair work in our lawns, some preventative maintenance throughout our landscapes and to begin our feeding programs. The work we do now to ensure good growth and disease control during the growing season will yield much healthier and more productive plants which translates into a better and more enjoyable outdoor living area. Come by Wedel's for more ideas and to find everything you need for a beautiful landscape, productive garden and tips on making this 2011 growing season your best yet!

Most often our initial reaction to finding moss in our landscape is, "How do I get rid of that?" and it's an understandable reaction. When we're trying to establish lush, thick lawns or dazzling color with some annuals and perennials, moss seems to be an intruder. But it is really telling us we have a variety of growing conditions in our landscape and, unless we're willing to take some drastic measures such as significant pruning to allow more sun in and/or amending the soil in the mossy areas, maybe we should consider this an opportunity to add some unusual interest to our outdoor living areas.

As said by the people at Moss Acres, the creators of Moss Milkshake, "The color green has been proven to reduce stress, and there are few, if any, shades more vibrant and revitalizing than those found in cool, lush moss. For centuries the Japanese have known what we are finally realizing - gardening with moss adds an amazing degree of serenity and timeless beauty to any garden.

Moss is utilized in rock garden design, in conjunction with water gardens, ponds, or ferns, or simply in that shady spot where grass won't grow. Growing moss has fast become an increasingly desirable and low-maintenance alternative to grass lawns and conventional shade gardening plans." Growing moss as an artistic accent or even as an attractive feature of your landscaping has never been easier. We would be happy to give you all of the details and show you just how easy this project is. Stop by the garden center, bring some sketches or photos and let's chat about the possibility of growing moss in your landscaping!