The umbrella that symbolizes April is almost a necessity for anyone brave enough to venture outside today and, as practically everyone you meet reminds you, "This is better than snow!'
And indeed it is.
I planted my peas faithfully on St. Patrick's Day, but they have been wise enough to remain underground so far, waiting for a little rain and some sunshine before peeking out.
Aside from cultivating new peas, there is plenty to do in April. I have pruned the roses in the front and side borders, with just three behind the garage left to do, and most of the old leaves and sticks have been shifted to the compost bins.
The stones the well-meaning snow plow operators sprinkled everywhere, along with the piles of snow, are being returned to their proper places, and the perennials cut back to display their emerging leaves.
The daffodils are blooming, and hyacinth and tulips are waiting in the wings.
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Janet Del Turco is a local gardener and a graduate of the Ohio State University Master Gardener program.
Contact her at janetdelturco@yahoo.com.
Now the sweet peas can be planted, and the pansies nurtured under lights since February are strong enough to go outside. All the daylilies have about 6 inches of leaf showing and the forsythia is ready to bloom.
There undoubtedly will be some frost in the coming weeks, so there is no hurry to pull back the mulch that still protects tender plants. Soon, nights will be warmer and the clean-up can be completed, ready for that magical May date that marks the beginning of planting time.
Those violets and Johnny-jump-ups have appeared as usual, and I am in two minds about them, the violets in particular. In spring, it is wonderful to see anything producing flowers, but they don't last long and the leaves get large and gawky and look like weeds through the summer.
I think I will let them do their thing for the time being and pull them out later. There are always more next year.
In the vegetable garden, it is OK to plant the seeds of beets, lettuce, cabbage and parsnips. By the end of the month, starter-sized broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage can go in. If you usually have trouble with cutworms, as soon as you plant the young transplants, put a Styrofoam cup with the bottom cut out over each one. Twist the top rim into the soil. If you forget to remove them in time as the plants grow, no matter. Just cut the collar in half with scissors to remove it.
If you have pruned your roses, they probably look ugly right now.
To get past that stage, have a close look at them and you will see rosy red leaf buds everywhere. Enough encouragement to appreciate the early growth, and soon the shrubs and climbers will be in full leaf.
Of course, this is a good time to attack weeds. When is it not a good time? That pesky wild onion is easiest to tackle while the soil is wet, and a multitude of dandelions are showing up.
Maybe this is a result of Noah and Owen's enthusiasm last year for blowing the fascinating seed heads all over the garden. And next year their sister, Sophia, will be running around behind them.
Grandson Nick is showing some interest in gardening, and is in fact working part-time keeping a yard in order this summer.
My granddaughter is looking for her faithful hostas to show, and her husband is looking forward to his annual garden featuring hot jalapenos and habaneros along with tomatoes.
Patrick will be here for some digging and his special responsibility, which is keeping the paths in the vegetable garden cleaned up.
Deb, my daughter-in-law, is proudly tending a clivia which has 11 blossoms - surely a record.
So most of my family members have their hands in the dirt one way or another and the warm April weather is encouraging us all.
Janet Del Turco is a local gardener and a graduate of the Ohio State University Master Gardener program.
Contact her at:
