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April 2009: Let The Gardening Begin
by Pat Hendrickson

If you're like me, you've been bit by the spring bug and want to plant annuals right now. Pansies and violas will do just fine, but we still have cold nights ahead and a few more windy weeks at the beach. So for anything else, wait until at least April 15 so your annuals will have a better chance of surviving until summer. AND . . . . . there are still chores to do!

Gardener's Tips

Mow or cut back Liriope to about 5", being careful not to cut any new growth.
Divide perennials once they've got foliage at least a couple of inches tall.
Deadhead spring-blooming bulbs to give energy back to the roots for next years growth
Clear out the debris and muck from your pond or water garden and put in the compost bin
Plant bare-root trees, shrubs and roses; container-grown trees, shrubs, perennial herbs, and perennial flowers; some perennial fruits and vegetables.
Finish up most pruning this month, including roses. Spring flowering trees and shrubs can be pruned once they are done blooming.
Fertilize roses organically by working compost or fish emulsion in around the base of the shrub every 6 weeks or so.
Note: some rose fertilizers include a systemic pesticide which allows you to feed and prevent pests at the same time. However, these pesticides also can kill butterflies and beneficial insects.
If you have lawn, this would be the time to aerate and apply crabgrass pre-emergent. This is my cue to put in a few words about lawns. Small areas of grass are nice to have. It feels good under your feet; it looks pretty and neat; mine actually takes little to no work at all.

However, I am an advocate for using native species whenever possible. They sustain our natural resources in so many ways, and don't require the maintenance or money that lawns do.

Grass requires lots of water, fertilizers and pesticides. Excess use of water can cost money, and depletes our aquifers, and because application of fertilizers and pesticides are not an exact science, we end up with excess phosphorus and nitrogen in our bays, rivers and lakes, causing excess algae growth. This depletes the oxygen in our waters and harms marine life.

Grass attracts bugs like gnats and mosquitoes which sends most of us indoors. Native plants attract butterflies, dragonflies, and all sorts of insect eating critters like birds and bats. This helps to extend our outdoor time with family and friends.

Plant Recommendations
For a list of native grasses visit: http://www.mdcoastalbays.org/nativegrasses/

Experiment this year - transform a part of your yard from grass to native plants and see if you enjoy the change. Even a little bit at a time can make a big difference.

Posted - 04/01/09

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Soon many farm fields on Delmarva will be covered in the "weed" purple dead nettle in anticipation of the spring planting.

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