Tofino gardening in April 2007

by Trina Mattson, Tofino

Sorry to anyone who missed March's article, I was trumped by a much larger event of the year, and as it only comes this way once a year, ah what the heck, although I was told that my whale of a gardening tail was posted on the Tofino Time web site for those that do want to read it. Any way enough blowing steam into the air, let's get down to it shall we.

What a hugely wet spring we've had, and through it all, many plants still performed amazingly well, the Daffodils still bloomed, as well as the crocus', muscari and other spring blooming perennials, and in fact most are still out and growing just fine, English daisy's, and rock cress to name a couple.

Aprils an exciting month in the garden center and in gardens everywhere, there are lots of plants in bloom, and many blossoms may get lucky and miss the rains, like the hyacinths (so sweetly scented, put a pot by the front door to greet guests) and when they are finished, pop them into the garden for next year. Tulips are going to be out soon, and as soon as the flowering currant (ribes) are in full bloom the hummingbirds will be showing up, so get those feeders ready. Camellias will be out as well, so I hope the rains hold off, because you're almost guaranteed that it's going to rain as soon as these beauties are in bloom. Flowering almonds, cherries and the like are doing their best to show off and the evergreen clematis armandii are also in bloom this month.

With everything coming out of dormancy, all plants will need a shot of fertilizer to give them a boost and to really help them perform especially since the winter rains wash most nutrients out of the soil. The unfortunate part of everything waking up, so's to speak, is that the slugs are also about, bait now before they lay too many eggs, get rid of the mature ones that create all the destructive little ones. Also get a handle on the sow bugs and other pesky critters, before they make more.

It's not to late to get seeds growing for vegetables and flowers, and the temperature is about right to do any repair seeding to lawns, cooler temps are what is needed to germinate lawn seed, and early spring or late fall are the ideal times, also usually nature takes care of the watering. Start your summer blooming bulbs now, Dahlias, Gladiolus, Tuberous Begonias and Calla Lilies.

Keep dead heading any bulbs that have finished blooming so they don't waste energy producing seed heads. Fertilize your bulbs as well, as they just used up all the stored energy in their system, and need a refuel.

Enrich gardens with compost, manures and mulches and you'd be surprised at the results that come from just that little extra work. Get ready for spring because planting season has arrived, and the chores are going to pile up before you know it.

Happy Gardening!

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Trina Mattson runs the Ordinary Corner Nursery in Tofino.