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Spring, Where Are You?
Greetings!
I am trying not to complain about this spring cold and rain. We need every drop (though in eastern Iowa, we'd like it spread out a little more, thank you very much). Central and western Iowa remain in moderate to extreme drought, so bring it on!
Still, my garden remains a good 3 weeks behind "normal." My forsythia hasn't even bloomed yet!
But with all things gardening, there's always a silver lining. In my case, this is the first year I can remember that I've gotten all my beds cleaned out before the daffodils really started blooming. It makes me feel almost like I'm ahead of the game!
Yours in delayed gardening,
Veronica Lorson Fowler
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How To Weed Small Trees
As I do my first weeding of the spring, I find I'm running into a lot of small trees. It's important this time of year to really gouge those babies out. Don't just trim them off at soil level or they'll keep coming back year after year.
Instead, dig down several inches and then cut off the tree. To do this, use one of those huge garden knives like the one shown here.
Once the little sapling is cut off, I also like to leave the hole open and douse the remaining root with Round-Up, one of the few chemicals I use in my garden.
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Advertisement
 If you think you need a big shady yard in order to enjoy hostas, you are mistaken.
There are also many other shade-loving perennials available.
Located in Independence, Iowa.
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 Spring FAQs
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Mother's Day Gift Alert!
Mother's Day is Sunday, May 12. Do you know where your Mother's Day gift is?
If not, let us suggest a signed copy of "Gardening in Iowa," a book that I
wrote for the University of Iowa Press. Order by April 28 and Veronica will include a customized inscription of your choice. (After that date, all books will be signed simply "Happy Gardening!" with Veronica's signature.) All books must be ordered by May 7 to assure delivery by Mother's Day. Click here for ordering instructions.
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Garden Quote
"Oh, the lovely fickleness of an April day!"
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American naturalist and author William Hamilton Gibson
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April Garden
To-Do List
 The bright yellow forsythia will be blooming soon. When it does, that means its time to sprinkle any pre-emergent herbicide (kills weed seeds, such as Preen) on flower beds, if you choose to use it. It's also the time to apply a preemergent to your lawns. Or save time with a weed and feed combo!
Plant now cool-season annual flowers, such as pansies, snapdragons, godietas, Iceland poppies, violas,
primulas, and English daisies, if you can find them in various
garden centers
Plant seedlings of cool-season vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, onion sets, and cabbages now.
Plant bareroot or container roses now through mid-May. After mid-May, plant only container roses.
Plant perennial edibles that like cool weather, such as rhubarb, strawberries, raspberries, and asparagus.
Plant now herbs that like cool weather, including parsley, chives, and cilantro. Also plant any perennial herbs, such as tarragon, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.
Wait to plant warm-season annuals, such as marigolds, tomatoes, and petunias, until after the last average frost
date in mid-May.
Wait to mulch until the ground warms up more, usually in late May or so
Click here for a complete list of what to plant when this month and the rest of the year.
How's your mower? If you didn't get it tuned up last fall and the blade sharpened, do it yourself now or take it in before the spring rush.
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Editor's Choice
Garden Events
Friday, May 10
National Public Garden Day
Don't miss the free admissions, free educational programs, tours, and events at five participating central Iowa gardens!
They are:
* Better homes and Gardens Test Garden
* Brenton Arboretum
* Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
* Iowa Arboretum
* Reiman Gardens
National Public Gardens Day is a day of celebration that invites communities to explore the beauty of their local green spaces while raising awareness of the important role public gardens play in promoting conservation, education and environmental preservation.
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Advertisement
A New Source for Top-Quality Compost
I was excited to find out that central Iowa once again has a company that can supply excellent quality compost.
Steenhoek Environmental is a family-run business that supplies both pure compost and soil-compost blends. They deliver or you can drive to their business just north of Ames and fill everything from a 5-gallon bucket to a pickup truck.
Best of all, mention that you are a reader of The Iowa Gardener and you'll get 5 percent off any purchase over $50!
Call Chad Steenhoek 515-203-0072 or visit their website by clicking here.
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