April Garden Talk

Well, here at the beach this month, it was ALLLL about the lawn, folks! The warm weather is here to stay (except, it's supposed to get down in the 40's tonight -*shiver*), and the Mister has mowed the yard twice already. Remember, if you have St. Augustine grass, it should remain about 2 - 3 1/2" long (Bahia should be about 3-4"); grass mowed too low will have a shorter root system, and therefore more easily damaged during dry weather and, being weaker, will more likely have weed problems.

And, whether you used sod, plugs, or seedlings, this was the month to repair dead or damaged areas of the lawn. Remember to keep it well-watered if the weather by you has been dry. If you're establishing a new lawn, water frequently, but lightly, for the first two weeks. Then, gradually decrease the frequency and increase the length of irrigation.

IF the weather is dry, water your lawn with 1/2 in. of water, no more than twice a week. Water ONLY when the blades fold, and water early in the morning before temperatures rise. If the blades fold in the afternoon, water the next morning.

Recycling your grass clippings back into the lawn. Grass clipping won't cause thatch to build up if only 1/3 of the grass top is removed when mowing. Besides, removing the clippings carries off any fertilizer that is used on the lawn. Remember, too, that almost ALL yard waste can be used as mulch or compost.

Now is also the time to divide any fall flowering bulbs or perennials that are overcrowded. Some fruits & veggies to plant in your garden this month; cantaloupe, cucumbers, eggplant, tomatoes, turnips and watermelon. Some pretty annuals for the month; coleus, dusty miller, hollyhocks, impatiens, daisies, marigolds, periwinkles, salvia, and verbenas.


Happy Planting!!