Herb Garden
• If you want to enjoy fresh basil pesto and an ice cold mojito this summer, then now is the time to think about where you want to plant your herb garden. You can grow herbs in containers, mixed in borders, or in a raised bed — but put it near the door to your kitchen for easy clipping. Plan it now, plant in another month.
• Culinary annuals include basil, rosemary, parsley, dill, cilantro and garlic. Start all but rosemary and garlic by seed. Purchase rosemary as a plant; put garlic bulbs in the soil in fall.
• Perennial herbs include thyme, sage, mint (there’s a variety especially for mojitos), chives, lavender, oregano, catnip and tarragon. It’s best to purchase these herbs as plants and place in full sun. Mint can grow in sun or shade, but it and plants from its family spread when your back is turned, so grow them in containers.
Small Fruits
• Plant raspberries, strawberries, serviceberries, currants and gooseberries now (but make plans to protect them if a late-season snow occurs. at cmg.colostate.edu/pubs/SmallFruit.html
Vegetables
• Plant these seeds outdoors now: lettuce, Swiss chard, spinach, kale, beets, carrots, radishes, turnips, potatoes and onion sets. And it’s not too late for peas.
• Thin vegetable seedlings when they are 1 inch tall, and later when a bit taller so the plants are not too crowded and can fully develop. Refer to seed packet for spacing.
• Start transplanting “starts” of these veggies outdoors: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower. Ease the transition from indoors to outdoors starting with 2 hours a day outside and building up to a full day. This “hardening off” takes 3 to 5 days and gets the plants used to our intense sunshine.
Perennials/Annuals
• Continue watering perennial beds and bulbs if the weather remains dry.
• Don’t dig and till if the soil if it is wet from a long rain; this can destroy the structure of the soil and your plants will not thrive.
• Transplant or divide summer- and fall-blooming perennials such as daylilies, phlox and daisies. Use a sharp knife or shovel blade to make a clean cut. Remove any plant matter that appears unhealthy. : finegardening.com/how-to/articles/dividing-perennials.aspx
• Continue planting pansies (garden centers have such fun colors to choose from!)
Trees/Shrubs
• The Earth Day Yard Tree Sale, sponsored by The Park People of Denver, More info: theparkpeople.org/Home.aspx or 303 722-6262.
• Continue planting container, balled and burlapped trees, and shrubs now and through the spring.
• Mulch around all trees and shrubs with 2-3 inches of bark chips, shredded bark or recycled wood products. Keep the mulch away from the crown of the plant to prevent rot.
•such as forsythia, Nanking cherry, honeysuckle, spirea and quince right after bloom. More on pruning spring-flowering shrubs: www.ext.colostate.edu/mg/gardennotes/619.html
Lawn
• Continue watering your lawn weekly during dry spells. Wait to turn on sprinkler systems until mid-May.
Pest watch
• Aphids begin to appear in early warm temperatures and can be controlled on smaller trees with high-pressure sprays of water.
• Overwintered elm leaf beetles and cluster flies become active in and around homes during warm periods. They are more of a nuisance than a pest, and are easily removed with your vacuum cleaner. More: www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05522.html
Reach Betty Cahill at bettycahill@ymail.com
