garden checklist

Southern Living, Apr 2004

APRIL 2004

Color

Now is the time to begin planting your favorite annuals in pots and flowerbeds.

For sunny areas, use Yubi Series portulaca in rose, pink, yellow, and red. Also try AngelMist Series angelonias with upright lavender or deep plum petals. Use Surfinia Series petunias for color that spreads.

For shady areas, plant Fiesta Strain double impatiens such as 'Lavender Orchid,' 'White,' 'Salsa Red,' and 'Salmon Sunrise,'Try New Guinea Hybrid impatiens (pictured above); those in the Celebration Strain, including 'Deep Coral,"Candy Pink,' and 'Sunset Apricot,' offer large flowers. Firefly Series miniature impatiens are perfect for tight spaces and bloom in red, violet, and white.

Use a granular, timed-released fertilizer such as Osmocote Vegetable and Bedding Slow Release Plant Food 14-14-14, and supplement every three weeks with a product such a SeaCrop Liquid Kelp or Watch Us Grow 8-8-8. In the Upper South, wait until all danger of frost has passed before planting. To determine if a plant is in a certain series or strain, look at its tag or ask at the nursery.

* Lawn-In the Middle, Lower, and Coastal South, plant plugs (small starts) of warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, centipede, and Zoysia. It is important to water newly planted grass regularly to help it establish a healthy root system. For an instant lawn, use sod. Infrequent, deep watering is better than frequent, shallow watering, as it promotes deeper root growth.

* Cut flowers- seed or set out transplants of zinnias, cosmos, cleomes, cockscombs, sunflowers, and gomphrenas at this time in the Middle, Lower, and Coastal South. Choose a sunny area that has well-drained soil. Work the soil at least 6 inches deep, and add organic material such as peat or compost. Then lightly rake the soil. Sprinkle the seeds on top of loose soil, and water them gently. The colorful blooms will last all summer.

* MulchAdd mulch such as pine straw or pine bark to newly planted trees and shrubs to reduce evaporation, help keep plants' roots cool, and slow down weed growth.

* Vegetables-Set out transplants of tomatoes, beans, squash, peppers, okra, zucchini, eggplants, and corn in the Middle, Lower, and Coastal South.

* Hanging baskets-Take your garden to new heights with these containers. Preformed sphagnum moss liners make planting wire baskets with moss much easier. Coco-fiber liners are durable, allow water to drain well, and will last several seasons. Either type of liner will save you time and dress up the plants you buy in plastic hanging containers.