APRIL
2003
By
B. Rosie Lerner
Extension Consumer Horticulturist
Purdue University
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HOME (Indoor plants and activities)
Start seeds of warm-season
plants, including tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, marigolds,
zinnias and petunias, indoors for transplanting later to
the garden.
Harden off transplants started
earlier in spring before planting outdoors-gradually
expose the young plants to outdoor conditions of wind,
brighter sunlight and lower moisture.
Apply fertilizer to houseplants
according to label directions as days grow brighter and
longer and new growth begins. Foliage plants require
relatively high nitrogen fertilizer, while blooming
plants thrive on formulations that are higher in
phosphorus.
Keep Easter lily in a bright,
cool location, out of direct sunlight. Water as soil
begins to dry. The yellow pollen-bearing anthers inside
the flower can be removed by pinching to prevent staining
of the petals.
YARD (Lawns, woody ornamentals and fruits)
Plant a tree in
celebration of National Arbor Day, April 26. Bare-root
stock should be planted before new top growth begins.
Balled- and-burlapped and containerized stock can still
be planted later in spring.
Fertilize woody plants before
new growth begins. Two pounds of actual nitrogen per
1,000 square feet should be sufficient.
Complete pruning chores,
removing dead and injured branches first.
Apply a prebloom, multipurpose
orchard spray to fruit trees.
Remove winter coverings from
roses, but keep mulch nearby for protection from late
freezes. Prune and fertilize as needed.
Apply pre-emergent herbicide to
control crabgrass in lawns. Approximate dates of
application are April 1 to April 20 in southern Indiana
and April 21 to May 10 in northern Indiana.
GARDEN (Flowers, vegetables and small
fruits)
Plant seeds of cool-season
crops directly in the garden as soon as soil dries enough
to be worked. When squeezed, soil should crumble instead
of forming a ball. Cool-season crops that can be
direct-seeded include peas, lettuce, spinach, carrots,
beets, turnips, parsnips and Swiss chard.
Plant transplants of cool-season
crops, such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels
sprouts, kohlrabi and onions.
Plant or transplant asparagus
and rhubarb crowns. For best plant establishment, do not
harvest until the third year after planting.
Plant sections of certified,
disease-free potato "seed" tubers.
Allow foliage of
spring-flowering bulbs to remain in place after blooms
fade. Leaves manufacture the food reserves, which are
then stored in the bulb for a repeat showing next
year.
Plant hardy perennials, such as
daylilies and delphiniums.
Start tuberous begonias and
caladiums indoors for transplanting to garden
later.
Remove winter mulch from
strawberries, but keep mulch handy in case late frosts
are predicted and to help keep weeds under
control.
Plant or transplant
strawberries, raspberries and other small
fruit.
Prune grape vines to remove dead
or weakened limbs, and repair support trellises as
needed.
GARDEN SHOW CALENDAR
March 28-29 -- Montgomery
County Lawn and Garden Show, Crawfordsville, Ind., (765)
364-6363
March 29-30 -- Lake County Home
and Garden Show, Lake County Fairgrounds, Crown Point,
Ind., (800) 946-4611 or http://www.towershow.com/lakespring/lakespring_main.htm
April 5 -- Boone County
Gardenfest, Boone County Fairgrounds, Lebanon, Ind.,
(765) 482-0750 or http://www.bccn.boone.in.us/mg/
April 5-6 -- Indiana Gourd Show,
Johanning Civic Center (U.S. 31), Kokomo, Ind., (317)
442-0103 or http://www.netusa1.net/~twill/
April 11-12 -- 17th Annual Lawn
& Garden Show, Hendricks County Fairgrounds,
Danville, Ind., (317) 745-9260 or http://www.hendricksgardeners.com
April 23-27 -- Cincinnati Flower
Show, Cincinnati, Ohio, (800) 670-6808 or
http://www.cincyflowershow.com/
May 2-4 -- Orchard in Bloom
Garden Show, Holiday Park, Indianapolis, Ind., (317)
290-ROSE or http://www.orchard.org
3-20-03
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