My Garden Notebook - April 2014

King of the Striped Crocus

Winter seems to have made a strong refusal to leave and allow spring to take over. We have had snow this month, very cold temperatures, and some periods of rain and wintry mix precipitation. However, all of that does not seem to hinder the emergence of spring for many of the plants in the garden. Spring manages to squeeze in a few days here and there of warm temperatures that whisper a soft tune to all the plants that spring is coming despite winter's resistance.


stats

Gardening Zone: 7a
March High Temperature: 73 degrees F
March Low Temperature: 10 degrees F
Precipitation: 3.10 inches

wildlife

The American Goldfinches have molted and are glimmering with their spring plumage.

Male American Goldfinch in spring plumage

This hawk has been a frequent visitor to my backyard hunting for small birds. It is either a Sharp-shinned or a Cooper's hawk. The two are very hard for me to distinguish. Perhaps you have an idea which one this is.

Sharp-shinned or Cooper's Hawk

A flock of Red-winged Blackbirds came by to visit during a snow storm.

Red-winged Blackbirds

what's blooming, sprouting

The daffodils are opening up. Each day, I find a new clump blooming.

Narcissus - Las Vegas daffodil

Lilies are breaking ground.

Daylilies

Roses are leafing out.

Knock-out Roses

Tulips are showing their leaves through the ground.

Various tulips breaking ground

The dogwood blooms are beginning to grow larger--even with the decorative hat of a feather.

Pink Dogwood bud

Maple blooms are spreading their fingers.

Acer rubrum - Red maple tree blooms

The Eastern Redbud tree is preparing for that lovely spring display.

Cercis canadensis - Eastern Redbud buds

in the vegetable garden

The peas are coming along, but there have been some snows that have crushed them and covered them. I created a wall of tarps around the bed to protect them and contain some warmth because they are hard to cover. Even with frosts and heavy snows, they are holding their own. 

Peas - Avalanche

I have prepared some beds in the garden and planted more vegetables, such as Romaine lettuce, red leaf lettuce, Napa Chinese cabbage, chard, mustard, and kale.

the spring vegetable garden

completed chores

pruned back liriope
pruned roses
tested soil
prepared vegetable garden beds for planting
moved damaged White Fringe Tree with hopes of some growth
planted new White Fringe Tree in old location
planted peas, lettuces, spinach, kale, Chinese cabbage, mustard
spread lime

chores for April

clear away plant debris and leaves in planting beds
weed garden beds
spread compost
plant annuals in containers
spread mulch

observation notes

Some of my Carolina Jessamine vines have suffered in this harsh winter. I hope they will find life again, but I am not sure there will be blooms this year.

Ice and cold damage to Carolina Jessamine vine (Gelsemium sempervirens)

What is in your garden notebook for April?

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notes

I am joining in the following:

Michelle of Rambling Woods hosts Nature Notes. A weekly meme, Nature Notes is for sharing all those observations in nature.

Helen of The Patient Gardener hosts End of Month View, a monthly meme where gardeners share there gardens at the end of the month.


Gemma Wiseman of Macro Monday 2 hosts Macro Monday. This weekly meme is for sharing all of those lovely macros from the garden.

coming in April

I will post the next installment in the composting series, Composting Part III: How to Make Perfect Compost. 

 If you missed the start of the series, here are the first two posts:

Composting Part I - All About Compost
Composting Part II - Advantages and Disadvantages of Compost Bins and Piles

© copyright 2014 Michelle A. Potter