April in My Garden

March didn't feel much like spring in this part of the country - but hopefully April will be the real spring welcomer. April is the month that it really becomes hard to stay indoors. There is nothing like running outdoors without pulling on coats, snow pants, hats and mittens.

But the best part of April is the first luscious mouthful of spring - asparagus! We've already enjoyed several fresh lettuce salads from our cold frame, but I know spring has really come when the asparagus appears.

Every spring, I think of the pioneer families who, before the days of super markets, glass canning jars and deep freezers, subsisted on the wrinkled root crops from the cellar during the winter. Can you imagine the joy in finding that first spear of asparagus or dandelion green and know that you have survived another hard winter?


Looking over the March garden list, most projects could be continued into April. Clearing out the flower beds, planting early seeds (peas, onions) and vegetable plants (brocolli, cabbage, lettuce) continue this month if not already accomplished. And I didn't accomplish much last month. It was so cold and rainy there were not many days that lured me outside. And if I did get outside, I was fleeing indoors quickly. Yeah, wimp. But if you look at the photos in this post, even our daffodils have their heads bowed in this harsh weather.

I did get some peas planted and a few of the perennial beds cleared. Ed dumped a bunch of chopped leaves on a few of the flower beds last fall and those beds were basically weed free! The beds that he didn't put leaves are carpeted with the tiny green weeds that pop up in the spring. I think I'm sold on mulch now, though the leaves do make the beds look a little unkempt and messy - but not as bad as weedy beds. I'm always game for less weeding!


These are the tasks I plan to do this month in my zone 6 garden.

1. Finish cleaning up the perennial beds and top-dress with compost.
2. Divide any crowded perennials and replant in bare areas.
3. Plant beets, carrots, onions, and potatoes in the garden.
4. Set out broccoli plants in the garden and cover with row cover.
5. Uncover the strawberries from their winter mulch of straw.
6. Relish fresh asparagus!

What are you doing in your garden this month? And if you are from Georgia and relishing 80 degree weather and fresh strawberries, I'll try not to envy!