After a long cold winter , April can be a “ teaser ” month . Some years April appears to have all four seasons rolled into one calendar month ; we can have days with 70 - 80º temperature , follow by dark temperatures dipping below freeze . And once in a blue lunation , like in April 1971 , we are even bless with C . Along with theroller coastertemperaturesand more than enough pelting to keep us out of the garden , April can be a trying month . It is a calendar month when patience is really a sexual morality . April is also the beginning of the busy season for the vegetable gardener .
consort toVCE Publication 426 - 331theaveragelast killing frostin our area is May 10 - May 15 . Assuming May 15thas the last obliterate frost , I used the chart found in that issue to develop the follow April planting schedule for our area . take note that the docket cover both germ - sowing and transplanting . If you want to identify transplants that can be planted alfresco this month , look for the vegetables mark with an asterisk .
adjust from “ Vegetable Planting Guide and Recommended Planting Dates , ” Va. Coop . Ext . Pub . 426 - 331 .
There ’s still time . Tomato , eggplant and pepper can still be take up indoors from seed .
April is the fourth dimension to set outcool - conditions cropssuch as broccoli , Brussels germinate , gelt , cauliflower , wampum and onions . But we have to wait until the peril of frost has passed to transplant tender plants such as tomatoes , peppers , and eggplant .
Having trouble withplant markersfading?I have always had trouble when labeling with a “ permanent ” marker ; it still bring off to disappearance before the end of the gardening time of year ! Several years ago , I found a “ paint mark ” in a local building supplying store that does not fade doing the rise time of year . I also describe a Sharpie punctuate “ paint ” at a local craft store that also give up well through out the grow season .
April isa good timeto invest in a soil thermometer . The movement of piteous seed germination is often cold grime . If the soil is too insensate , seed of some plants will rot before they have a chance to sprout . A chart supply information on soil temperature for optimum sprouting of veggie seeds can be find inVCE Publication 426 - 316 , entitle “ Seed for the Garden . ”
Feeling unsureabout what variety of vegetables to plant?VCE Publication 426 - 480“Vegetables Recommended for Virginia , ” provides a listing of recommended potpourri .
To save outer space in your garden , you could construct temporary or lasting woven conducting wire “ fencing , ” which will provide vertical support for stolon varieties of bean plant , as well as for cuke . plant can be rail to rise the fences ; deliver not only space , but also making harvest easier as the vegetable will be hanging down . For additional information on vertical horticulture , seeVCE Publication 426 - 335titled “ Intensive Gardening Methods . ”
Saving Space : Snow peas arise up a irregular fence . Note the sequential planting of “ pole ” Lima bean at base of fence .
One of the mostimportant stepsin planting number before seedlings even get near the garden . This is the process ofhardening off , or gradually acclimatise seedling to out-of-door conditions . These little plants have spent their short lives in a warm , gay , protected place and wo n’t fare well if they are not exposed slowly to the factor . Start the hardening off process about 2 week before you intend to plant them outdoors . A few days before you are quick to begin indurate plant off , reduce the amount of water you give them , and cease fecundate until they are planted in the garden . Then put your transplants out of doors in an area where they ’ll be protected from the direct sunshine and confidential information . Leave them out for a few hours and take them back deep down . Repeat this each day , bit by bit increasing the amount of prison term they are outside and the degree of vulnerability to sun and wind . After a workweek or so , leave the transplants out overnight . If frost threaten , bring the seedling indoors . Additional information on temper off can be find oneself atVCE Publication 426 - 001titled “ Plant Propagation From Seed . ”
When transplanting seedlings in peat throne , gently tear off the top inch of the pot ; the upper edges of the toilet should be cover with grease to avoid wicking water away from the territory surface . Wicking may reduce the amount of moisture useable to the origin of the works .
The best prison term to transplant is on a nerveless cloudy day or lately in the afternoon to avoid the hot sun . The plants then have fourth dimension to acclimate themselves to their unexampled environs . If the following day is blistering and gay , a wrangle covermay be used to reduce the stress on the plant . A words cover may also be used to help protect new transplant from a later rime .
Swiss chardis a soft - textured , mild - flavor putting green . It will give replicate harvest from spring until dusk because it does not run to bolt or go to seeded player in hot weather condition as does spinach . There are multicolor variety show of Swiss chard , cherry-red , yellow , green ; not only do they sum up colour to the veg garden , they contain up well in flower system . Give it a effort this spring .
Do n’t be in too big of a rushing to addmulchto the vegetable garden . detain constitutional mulching to allow the stain to warm up profoundly , but mulch before weeds become establish .
Resources :
take from the Albemarle County Extension Office , “ Monthly ( April ) Horticulture Tip Sheets”,http://offices.ext.vt.edu / albemarle/
