garden checklist

APRIL 2005

Impatiens

These easy blooms provide bright color throughout the growing season. Use them in flowerbeds, containers, or hanging baskets. There are many selections available in almost any color or size you would like. Wait until all danger of frost has passed in your area before planting. Good companion plants include Southern shield ferns, Japanese painted ferns, hostas, and caladiums. For easy feeding use a granular, timed-release fertilizer such as Osmocote Vegetable & Bedding Slow Release Plant Food 14-14-14 or Schultz MultiCote Vegetable & Bedding 15-17-15. For an added boost, supplement every three weeks with a liquid fertilizer such as SeaCrop Liquid Kelp 0-1-1 or Watch Us Grow 8-8-8. To learn about one of the newest impatiens selections, the yellow-flowering 'Jungle Gold,' see Steve Bender's story "8 Great Plants for Wow!" starting on page 72.

* Prune-Trim shrubs such as azaleas, forsythias, quinces, and spiraeas after they have finished blooming. If you wait until summer to cut them back, you will remove next year's flowerbuds.

* Cut flowers-Seed or set out transplants of zinnias, cosmos, cleomes, cockscombs, sunflowers, and gomphrenas now 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 matter such as peat or composted manure. Lightly rake; sprinkle seeds on top, and water gently.

* Lawn-In the Middle, Lower, and Coastal South, plant plugs of warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, centipede, and Zoysia. It is important to water newly planted lawns regularly to help them establish healthy root systems. Infrequent, thorough watering is better than frequent, shallow watering, as it promotes deeper root growth. Once established, most lawns need only about an inch of water a week.

* Tomatoes-After all danger of frost has passed, set out tomato transplants. Select sturdy plants without flowers or fruit. Plant in rich, well-drained soil in a location that gets at least six hours of sun a day. Set them deep enough so the first pair of leaves touches the soil. Water well. Provide support with wooden stakes or wire cages. Good slicing kinds for sandwiches include 'Burpee Supersteak,' 'Big Boy,' and 'Ball's Beefsteak.' Great cooking types for sauces, freezing, and canning include 'La Roma,' 'Viva Italia,' and 'San Marzano.' For salads and snacking try 'Sweet 100,' 'Ildi,' and 'Sun Gold.' Mailorder seeds from Tomato Growers Supply Company, 1-888-478-7333 or www.tomatogrowers.com. They have everything you need to grow a bumper crop.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Apr 2005
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