It’s April and time to get planting

Steve Kawaratani

“April comes -- babbling and stewing flowers.”

-- EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY

“Be both the gardener and the rose.”

-- UNKNOWN

April stirs a gardener’s blood with a host of gardening

opportunities in Laguna the largest selection of flowers, vegetables,

shrubs and trees are available this month. Nurseries are literally

overflowing with tempting spring bloomers, vying for attention with

Easter holiday plants.

Now that the likelihood of additional rain is dwindling, it is

time to prepare your garden for the spring. Trimming shrubs and

trees, weed removal and planting new perennials and flowers top the

to do list during the fourth month of the year (according to the

Gregorian calendar). Read on, and let’s get back to the garden with

the Plant Man.

Q: Are there dwarf vegetables, which can be planted in pots?

A: Many nurseries and seed companies sell compact tomatoes, bush

squash and cucumbers and even bush pumpkins.

Q: What annuals grow best in the shade?

A: In general, annuals prefer sunlight, however, Begonia

semperflorens, impatiens, coleus and lobelia do well in Laguna.

Q: Our neighbor recently spilled weedkiller near our lawn and

plants. Already it is affecting our lawn and some of the shrubs. What

can I do?

A: Weedkillers can cause damage when used carelessly. Windblown

vapors have even caused damage blocks away. The cultivation of

activated charcoal into the contaminated soil is the only thing you

can do presently.

Q: Plant Man! What’s the best annual color now?

A: I would recommend planting marigolds, petunias, cosmos, phlox

and bedding begonias for brilliant spring color.

Q: Is it harmful to water plants when the sun is shining on them?

A: It is preferred to water in the early morning, so the water

doesn’t “burn” foliage. If you must water during the afternoon, avoid

hitting the foliage of tender plants.

Q: Does soft water affect our plants?

A: Yes. In most cases soft water does have a harmful effect on

plant growth. The reason is that calcium (beneficial to soils) is

exchanged for sodium (harmful to plants).

Q: Is it necessary to remove dead flowers from my plants?

A: Yes, if you want to increase flower duration and plan for next

year.

No, if you wish the plants to produce fruits.

I remember someone once telling me that, “Change alone is

unchanging.” I guess that makes sense but is that the reason we

continue to implement Daylight Savings Time? I don’t object to more

daylight in the later hours, but I sure miss the daylight in the

earlier hours. See you next time.

* STEVE KAWARATANI is the owner of Landscapes by Laguna Nursery,

1278 Glenneyre St. in Laguna Beach. He is married to local artist,

Catharine Cooper, and has two cats. He can be reached at (949)

497-2438 or e-mail to landscapes@ln.coxatwork.com.