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Planter's Almanac: April Planting Guide

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 1, 2008

WHAT TO DO

Water wisely: Ornamental plants and fruit trees need only 1 inch per week. Lawns need one-half to three-quarters of an inch of water when 30 percent to 50 percent of the lawn shows signs of wilt (blue-gray color, folded blades).

Place a few shallow cans or glasses in the irrigated zones, and measure how much your sprinklers apply. Adjust your timer schedule accordingly.

Begin spraying roses: Spray to prevent black spot and powdery mildew disease. Symptoms of black spot are dark, round spots with yellow halos followed by dropping leaves.

Purchase a fungicide labeled for the control of these diseases, and follow label directions carefully.

Fertilize plants: Flowering annuals and perennials benefit from frequent, light applications of a slow-release material.

Correct yellowing, or iron deficiency, in Bahia lawns: The green color will return as the lawn's growth rate slows, but the yellowing can be corrected by applying iron sulfate at a rate of 10 pounds per 1,000 square feet.

Raise the cutting height of the lawn: Leaving the lawn higher will promote deeper root growth and increase drought resistance.

Mulch flower and plant beds: Place 2 to 3 inches of mulch in beds and around plants to reduce moisture loss from the soil and moderate soil temperature.

WHAT TO PLANT

Outstanding flowering plants: Easter lily, rose, Confederate jasmine, amaryllis, bottlebrush, jacaranda, bougainvillea, day lily, parkinsonia, Shasta daisy

Annuals: ageratum, begonia, calliopsis, celosia, coleus, crossandra, dusty miller, gomphrena, impatiens, marigold, melampodium, morning glory, nasturtium, portulaca, vinca, zinnia

Perennials: African iris, coreopsis, day lily, gerbera, gaillardia, marguerite daisy, pentas, perennial salvias, rudbeckia, Shasta daisy, verbena

Vegetables: pole beans, lima beans, collards, cantaloupes, okra, Southern peas, sweet potatoes, summer spinach, Jerusalem artichokes

Herbs and spices (from plants): basil, borage, lemon balm, marjoram, oregano, sage, summer savory

Information provided by Hillsborough County Extension

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