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April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.
~Shakespeare
There is no doubt that spring has arrived
here at Collier's...We are overflowing with
annuals, perennials, herbs, veggies and much more! The latest recorded frost in the Birmingham area
was April 14th, so by the second week of the month even the most hesitant gardeners are ready
to get their hands dirty. |
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April Garden Checklist
- For the first two weeks of April, be prepared to protect frost-sensitive annuals, herbs and veggies from a sudden cold snap.
- By April 14th, it's officially safe to plant all annuals and veggies!
- It's not too late to prune shrubs that bloomed in late winter (forsythia, spireas, quince, etc.).
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The plants in your landscape are actively growing now, so help them along with some fertilizer. Use Hi-Yield Grower's Special on trees, shrubs and groundcovers. Osmocote works well on perennials. Fertilize herbs and veggies with LadyBug fertilizer, which is safe for edibles. For plants that are highly susceptible to insect or fungal problems (lacebugs on azaleas and black spot on roses, for example) there are a couple of options: Bayer 3-In-1 Drench provides a dose of fertilizer, as well as systemic insecticide and fungicide. Fertilome Azalea Food with Systemic Insecticide is a granular that can be used on other shrubs as well. - Lawncare for zoysia and bermuda: In early April, apply fertilome All Seasons with Barricade (fertilizer with pre-emergent for broadleaf and grassy weeds).
- Lawncare for St. Augustine: In late April, apply fertilome All Seasons with Barricade.
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For the Birds
Attracting Hummingbirds
 | | In this basket: Salvia 'Velocity Blue,' Coral Nymph Salvia, Petunia 'Ramblin Burgundy Chrome,' Verbena 'Twister Pink,' and Calibrachoa 'Double Rose Chai' |
The first hummers of the 2013 season were spotted in
our area near the end of March (see the map here)
so you may see one in your garden any day now!
Here's a few tips to increase your odds:
- Use fluted, or trumpet-shaped blooms, a perfect fit for their needle-like beaks.
- Vivid shades of red and pink are great for pulling hummers into your garden as they travel by, since they do spot colors from a distance. At the nursery, we have seen them feeding on blooms of all colors.
- Try using flowers that attract hummingbirds in hanging baskets, placed throughout your garden, in trees and on porches.
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New Products for our
Herb & Veggie Gardeners
 | | Affectionately referred to as 'Turkey Poo,' this is an all-natural fertilizer that's safe for edibles. |
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Rich organic matter with high nutrient-holding capacity.
Mix into garden or potting soils. |
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Family of Flavor
Dill and Fennel Dill and fennel are members of the Apiaceae family, along with parsley, cilantro, carrots and the beautiful wildflower, Queen Anne's Lace. In addition to having multiple culinary uses, dill and fennel attract beneficial insects to the garden and are host plants for swallowtail butterfly larvae-all good reasons to add them to your garden!
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Dill Plant in Bloom
Dill seeds were once referred to as the 'meeting seed'- given to children to induce sleep during long Sunday sermons. |
The leaves and seeds of the dill plant (Anethum graveolens) are used culinarily. The delicate, ferny foliage is chopped and used fresh in salads, sauces and as a garnish, and the seeds are used in making vinegar and pickling. If you grow cucumbers this year, consider planting dill with them as a companion plant. The dill plant should not be planted near tomatoes. In the garden, dill can reach heights of 3 to 4 feet, so place it in the background of other herbs or flowers. Plant in full or partial sun in well-drained soil. Dill is a host plant for the caterpillar of the swallowtail butterfly, so if for no other reason, plant them to feed the future butterflies. If allowed to bloom, the flowers will attract honey bees.
 | | Ladybug on Fennel Bloom |
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is known for its distinctive licorice flavor, similar to star anise. All parts of the fennel plant are used culinarily; foliage and bulbs often flavor soups, fish and egg dishes and fennel seeds are commonly used in breads. Like its cousin dill, fennel is tall-growing to 3 feet or more. Plant in full to partial sun in well-drained soil. Fennel is also a host plant for swallowtail butterfly larvae, its flowers attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, lacewings, soldier beetles and parasitic wasps, and the seeds are enjoyed by birds. |
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Who Blooms There?
Red Maples (Acer rubrum) are native to the eastern United States. Most people are familiar with them because of their spectacular fall foliage. However, many don't realize that not all red maple leaves turn red; fall color can range from yellow to orange as well, depending on the variety. The part of a red maple that is always red are the scarlet blooms that appear from January to March, before the leaves emerge. You may have seen these blooming in recent weeks and not realized that red maples have more to offer than colorful fall foliage! |
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