What to do in your Garden in April - Mountain

Sunset, April, 2003 by Marcia Tatroe

PLANTING

* ANNUALS. Four to six weeks before the average date of the last frost in your area, start seeds indoors of drought-tolerant warm-season flowers such as coreopsis, globe amaranth, lion's tail (Leonotis leonurus), and rudbeckia. In mountain areas, start seeds of cool-season flowers and vegetables indoors this month.

* LAVENDER. Sun-loving lavender thrives in poor, dry soils. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) varieties are the most resilient, hardy to Sunset climate zone 2. Many hybrid lavenders are hardy to zone 3. High Country Gardens in Santa Fe (www.bighcountrygardens.com or 800/925-9387) features 11 types of lavender, including hardy pink-flowered 'Melissa' and violet-blue 'Mitcham Grey'.

* "OWN-ROOT" SHRUB ROSES. Roses propagated on their own roots are generally more weather-resistant and drought-tolerant than grafted roses. When planting, bury the bottom 3 to 4 inches of the canes in soil. Then spread a 4- to 6-inch layer of mulch on top, keeping the mulch several inches from the canes. Two good sources for own-root shrub roses are Heirloom Roses (www.heirloomroses.com or 503/538-1576) and High Country Roses (www.heigcountryroses.com or 800/552-2082).

* TREES. This year, Arbor Day is observed on April 18 in Colorado, April 25 in Idaho, Montana, and Utah, and April 28 in Wyoming. Consider planting one of these drought to lerant trees: American plum (Prunus americana), bristlecone pine, burr oak (Quercus macrocarpa), cockspur thorn (Crataegus crus-galli), curl-leaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius), Gambell oak, common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), pinon pine, ponderosa pine (Montana's state tree), and upright junipers.

MAINTENANCE

* ATTRACT BENEFICIAL WILDLIFE.

As frogs, toads, salamanders, and snakes emerge from hibernation, encourage them to stay in your garden and help control pests. Set shallow bowls or birdbath basins on the ground and fill them with water. Rinse and refill regularly.

* CLEAN OUT, MOUNT BIRD-HOUSES. Remove and discard old nests, wipe each birdhouse with a solution of bleach (4 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water), and mount it on a pole or a tree, 6 to 20 feet from the ground. A wide range of birdhouses is offered by Audubon Workshop (http://audubonworkshop.com or 513/354-1485).

* GUARD AGAINST DAMPING OFF.

Seedlings started indoors in pots are especially susceptible to a fungus disease called damping off, which causes young plants to suddenly wilt and die. There is no cure, but you can prevent the disease by using sterile potting soil. Allow the soil surface to dry out slightly between waterings. Place pots in a shallow, water-filled container and let them wick moisture from the bottom up.

* PREPARE FLOWER BEDS. Cut off dead stalks and leaves from perennials, then top-dress the beds with 2 to 3 inches of compost and a sprinkling of fertilizer. Spread 4 to 6 inches of light, fluffy mulch between the plants, being careful not to cover the new growth. Good mulch choices include hay and pine needles.