Snow still surrounds our house, but many, many signs of life are popping up everywhere.

April is a wonderful month for gardeners, and for those who just like to wander around their property, checking things out. The black flies have not appeared yet and, hopefully, they won’t make their debut before the end of May.

Wherever a patch of soil can be seen, chances are that something is growing. While most of my tulips and daffodils are still under snowbanks, a few are planted in a small stone planter that surrounds a maple tree on the lawn. They have poked their heads up and are seriously thinking about growing and blooming.

Tomato seedlings

Seeds that were planted indoors in March may now need to be transplanted into larger pots. This is particularly true with tomatoes. More space allows the growth of stronger roots, which is the secret to healthy and productive plants.

If it’s time to transplant them, try to choose pots, preferably peat pots, that are 4 to 6 inches in diameter. If the original seedlings were planted in small peat pots, just put the whole thing into the larger pot and fill with soil.

Pull all tomato seedlings from each cell except the strongest. Then move that cell to the larger pot, adding enough soil to cover about two-thirds of the tomato seedling. Keep moist, spray with a little fertilizer, and return to the grow rack under the lights.

Sometimes, tomatoes need a third transplanting, but I’ve rarely had to do that. As long as the tomato seedling is strong when it’s time to put in the garden, bury the whole plant and most of the stalk, leaving just the top couple of inches.

In Zone 4, which is much of the area just north of Lewiston (which is in Zone 5), tomatoes probably shouldn’t be set out until very late May or early June. Prior to transplanting them into the garden, be sure to harden off the plants by placing them on a sunny porch during the day, then bringing them back inside at night for a week or so.

Other seedlings

Some of my winter squash and pumpkin seedlings are also outgrowing their original pots. Now is the time to transplant them, as well. When ready to plant in the garden, they should be hardened off, too. Squash and pumpkins like warmer weather, so don’t plant them outside until a couple of weeks after the tomatoes.

There’s still time to plant some seeds so they can be given a head start. Although our growing seasons have lengthened in recent years, our unpredictable weather could suddenly produce an early frost.

Plant various kinds of lettuces, herbs (such as basil, parsley, dill and cilantro) and cucumbers. There’s also still time to plant gourds and pumpkins, which often take 100 days of growing to produce ripe fruit. Every extra week of growth will better insure that a successful crop will result.

While pepper seeds can be planted at this late date, I’d suggest buying the plants at a local nursery.

Getting ready

If the garden plot hasn’t been planned out, it really should be done now. In late April, many people plant peas and potatoes, so it’s important to know which vegetable seedling or seed will be planted where. Check into companion gardening and plan your garden accordingly, such as planting a few marigold seeds in with nearly all seedlings. Hot peppers are, well, hot! So they usually don’t need a companion plant.

Also, try to make sure your hand tools are cleaned and oiled, and have your rototiller and lawn mower serviced so you can starting tilling when the soil and temperature are ready. And make sure not to till in wet soil. Wait until a handful of soil squeezed into a ball in your hand falls apart easily. Seeds prefer a dry start, then watering.

Every gardener should have at least one trowel (preferably several more), a hand rake, a hand fork and a hand hoe, as well as full-sized hoes and rakes. Try to have loppers and pruning shears available, too, as well as at least one garden cart and a wheel barrow. Nothing wears gardeners out more quickly than having to make multiple trips between the garden and the garage or shed. And of course always put away the tools when you aren’t using them so they won’t be damaged by rain.

I like to start saving newspapers and gathering straw bales for mulching around tomatoes and other vegetables right about now. I also “plant” my potatoes under several layers of straw or hay. This makes it much easier to harvest in late summer and early autumn.

A few trellises built next to cucumbers, gourds, acorn squash and some summer squash can be a real space-saver, along with making it easier to harvest the ripe vegetables.

Also, this is a good time to inspect your compost piles. Chances are you’ve been tossing kitchen scraps in one of the bins all winter long. Now’s the time to turn those scraps and mix well.

We have three compost piles going at all times. The oldest one gives us rich compost for immediate use in the garden soil. The middle-aged one may be ready to apply around plants in mid- or late summer, and the new one will be saved for the next garden season.

Other April prep

Let’s not forget the flowers. Remove debris from flower planters and re-mulch, if necessary. Plant a few annual flowers among the perennials for sparks of color later in the summer. Better yet, start a few flower seeds inside, then plant them alongside the perennials as soon as the temperature rises.

Getting your body in shape can reduce the sore muscles caused by suddenly undertaking the hoeing, raking, carrying and other tasks involved in planting a garden. Try to take a walk every day (if you haven’t been already), do a few stretching exercises and lift a few small weights. Those heavy bands sold in most sporting good stores are great for preparing your muscles.

But above all – have fun! Being outside in the sunshine and watching as tiny seeds grow into full-fledged plants can’t be beat. Gardening is food for the body and soul. It always amazes me what can emerge from our magical earth.

Eileen M. Adams has been gardening for decades, and preserving the results for just as long. She continues to be awed by the seeds that grow into vegetables and flowers from the magical earth.

Copy the Story Link