April Chores

Photo: www.recordonline.com

By Debbie Roland and Emmy Ulmschneider, Master Gardeners

 April is an important month for West Texas gardeners.  With warming temperatures and, hopefully, the last frost behind us, it’s time to prepare, plant and protect your plants.  Whether you are growing vegetables, flowers or native plants, using organic methods can promote soil health, encourage beneficial insects and reduce your impact on the environment.  Following is a guide for your April tasks.

·       Master Gardeners teach that the most important thing you can do is amend your soil.  Our soil is dry and compact so adding organic matter is essential.  Apply a generous amount of compost to enrich with nutrients and improve water retention.  Mulch with straw, leaves or wood chips to keep moisture in and weeds out.

·       April is time to plant warm season crops such as vegetables and flowers.  Peppers, squash cucumbers, beans and okra thrive when planted this month.  Incorporate sunflowers, marigolds and zinnias to brighten your garden, attract pollinators and repel pests naturally.  Basil, oregano, thyme and rosemary do well in West Texas and can deter unwanted insects.

·       Chemical pesticides can harm beneficial insects and your soil health.  Try these approaches instead:

Companion Planting:  Marigolds can deter nematodes and basil can help repel mosquitos.

Handpicking:  Rise early and stroll your garden.  Remove pests like caterpillars and beetles by hand.

Spray:  A mixture of water, mild soap and neem oil can help with aphids and mites.

Beneficial Insects:  Ladybugs, lacewings and praying mantises help control pest populations.  Best to leave them in the garden.

·       Water deeply and less frequently to courage deep root growth.

·       Install a drip system to water directly to each plant and minimize evaporation

·       Pull weeds daily on your morning stroll.  Soil should never be bare.  Either plant something or mulch every area.

·       Trim back damaged branches from trees, shrubs and perennials to promote healthy growth.

·       Turn your compost pile and keep it moist.

By following these recommended practices you can cultivate a thriving, chemical-free garden that will help support our local ecosystem.  April is a time of growth and renewal so embrace it with natural practices for a healthier garden and environment and achieve a healthier you in the process.

If you have questions, call the AgriLife office in Odessa at 498-4071 or in Midland at 686-4700.   Additional information, and our blog for access to past articles, is available at westtexasgardening.org.  Click on “Resources.”