After a longsighted cold winter , April can be a “ teaser ” month . Some years April appears to have all four seasons rolled into one month ; we can have days with 70 - 80º temperature , follow by night temperature plunge below freezing . And once in a bluish moon , like in April 1971 , we are even bless with snow . Along with the curler coaster temperatures and more than enough rain to keep us out of the garden , April can be a try month . It is a calendar month when patience is in truth a virtue . April is also the beginning of the busy season for the vegetable gardener .

According toVEC Publication 426 - 331the intermediate last kill frost in our area is May 10 - May 15 . take on May 15th as the last killing icing , I used the chart found in that issue to develop the keep up April planting docket for our area . observe that the docket covers both seed - sowing and transplants . If you want to identify transplants that can be planted outdoors this month , look for the vegetables marked with an asterisk .

adjust from “ Vegetable Planting Guide and Recommended Planting Dates,”VCE Publication 426 - 331

There ’s still time . Tomato , brinjal and capsicum can still be begin indoors from seeds .

April is the time to set out cool - weather crops such asbroccoli , Brussels sprouts , pelf , Brassica oleracea botrytis , boodle and Allium cepa . But we have to wait until the risk of frost has passed totransplant bid plantssuch as tomatoes , peppers , and eggplant .

Having trouble withplant marker fading ? I have always had trouble when label with a “ permanent ” marker ; it still manages to fade before the end of the horticulture season ! Several years ago , I found a “ key mark ” in a local construction supply fund that does not languish doing the develop time of year . I also find a Sharpie marked “ rouge ” at a local craft storehouse that also apply up well through out the originate season .

April is a good time to put in asoil thermometer . The crusade of poor ejaculate sprouting is often cold soil . If the soil is too cold , seed of some plants will rot before they have a fortune to bourgeon . A chart providing information on soil temperature for optimal sprouting of vegetable seeds can be get hold inVCE Publication 426 - 316 , titled “ Seed for the Garden . ”

Feeling shy aboutwhat varietiesof veggie to plant?VCE Publication 426 - 480“Vegetables advocate for Virginia , ” provides a list of recommended mixture .

To save infinite in your garden , you may construct irregular or permanent woven wire “ fences , ” which will provide perpendicular support for runner assortment of bean , as well as for cucumbers . Plants can be train to rise the fences ; spare not only space , but also pass water harvest home easy as the vegetables will be hanging down . For extra information on vertical gardening , seeVCE Publication 426 - 335“Intensive Gardening Methods . ”

Saving Space : Snow peas growing up a temporary fence . Note the consecutive planting of “ pole ” Lima bean at al-Qa’ida of fencing .

One of the most authoritative steps in planting comes before seedling even get near the garden . This is the process ofhardening off , or bit by bit acclimate seedlings to outside stipulation . These niggling industrial plant have spent their short lives in a warm , gay , protect place and wo n’t fare well if they are not exposed slowly to the ingredient . Start the set off cognitive operation about 2 weeks before you intend to plant them outdoors . A few day before you are quick to set about hardening plants off , reduce the amount of pee you give them , and cease fertilise until they are planted in the garden . Then put your transplant outside in an area where they ’ll be protect from the direct sunlight and wind . Leave them out for a few hour and impart them back in spite of appearance . reprise this each Clarence Day , step by step increasing the amount of clip they are outside and the degree of exposure to sunlight and wind . After a week or so , go out the transplants out overnight . If freeze threatens , bring the seedlings indoors . Additional information on indurate off can be found atVCE Publication 426 - 001titled “ Plant Propagation From Seed . ”

When transpose seedlings inpeat throne , gently deplumate off the top in of the pot ; the upper edges of the sess should be breed with soil to avoid wicking water out from the soil control surface . Wicking may cut down the amount of wet available to the ascendent of the plant .

Thebest metre to transplantis on a coolheaded cloudy day or late in the afternoon to forfend the hot sun . The plant life then have fourth dimension to acclimate themselves to their new environment . If the following day is hot and gay , a row screening may be used to reduce the focus on the plant . A run-in cover may also be used to help protect untried transplants from a late Robert Frost .

Swiss chardis a soft - textured , mild - season green . It will give repeated harvest from springiness until fall because it does not incline to bolt or go to seed in blistering weather condition as does prickly-seeded spinach . There are multicolor varieties of Swiss chard , red , yellow , gullible ; not only do they add colour to the vegetable garden , they hold up well in blossom arrangements . Give it a try this saltation .

Do n’t be intoo big of a hurryto sum up mulch to the vegetable garden . check constitutive mulching to allow the soil to warm deeply , but mulch before weeds become established .

salve The Date ! Join us at the Piedmont Master GardenerAnnual Spring Plant Sale on May 13 , 9 - 12 am at the IX Complex in Charlottesville .

Resources :

Adopted from the Albemarle County Extension Office , “ Monthly ( April ) Horticulture Tip Sheets”,http://www.offices.ext.vt.edu / albemarle / programs / anr / tip - sheets / index.html