April in the garden

In Ashland, Oregon the last frost date is approximately May 15th.

Sow seeds in your greenhouse, or indoors,  for transplanting  after May 15th.
Basil, Cabbage, Peppers, Summer Squash, Winter Squash, Pumpkin, Tomato, etc.
Flowers;  Sunflowers, Cosmos, Marigolds , Zinnia, etc.

If the soil is not too wet, you can sow the following vegetables seeds directly into the garden. Once seedlings emerge protect them from spring frost.  Lettuces, Cauliflower, Spinach, Chinese Cabbage, Broccoli, Peas, Chard, Carrots, Turnips, Parsnips, Leeks, Kohlrabi, Beets, Radishes.

You can plant onion sets up until 4/15. And, you can still plant raspberries and strawberries plants.
Fertile flowerbeds, shrubs, trees and grass.
Start baiting for slugs, snails and earwigs.
Watch out for spittle bugs and aphids on your existing strawberry plants.
Watch out for aphids on all plants in the landscape.

  • Home remedy for Aphid Control: Mix a teaspoon of vegetable oil, a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and a cup of water. Or, mix three tablespoons of liquid soap and a gallon of water. Spray to wet the entire plant thoroughly, particularly the undersides of leaves, because aphids must come into contact with the soap solution to be affected. After a few hours, wash off the oil and soap with a garden hose to protect sensitive plants. Repeat the application every few days as necessary.
  • Control spittle bugs by blasting spittle bug foam off plants with water. Repeat as necessary.

Pruning shrubs & trees should be completed by now!

Horticulture Report: Sweet Woodruff

Plant Name: Galium odoratumsweet-woodruff
Common Name:  Sweet Woodruff
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 8 to 12 inches
Spread: 2-3 feet  
Bloom Time: May – June
Flower Color: White
Exposure: Full to Part shade
Soil Requirements: Rich well-drained soil
Water Needs: Regular – moist
Attributes: Dainty Fragrant Flowers, Fragrant Vanilla-like Leaves & Stems
Note: Tolerant of Back Walnut trees
Uses: Shade Garden, Pathway & Garden Edging, Woodland Garden, Rock Gardens, Herb Garden, Naturalize, Groundcover
Native to: Northern Asia, Northern Africa &  Europe
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9

Garden of the Month: April 2017

Garden on the Month:  310 Kent Street

April may not be the very best month for the garden at 310 Kent St., but it’s still remarkably good and, more importantly, it is the last full month in the care of homeowner/gardener Cyd Smith who has sold the property and plans to relocate to Seattle. Realtor Pattie Millen attributes the very quick sale of the home (four days) to the beautiful yard.Pic 1

Smith has been gardening here since 2009 and, with the initial help of garden designer Jane Hardgrove, has transformed the landscape from bare to luscious. At the height of the growing season, Cyd has spent eight hours per week working in the yard, on average.
Pic 2

The pretty front yard is anchored by a picket fence and arbor. The latter features a trumpet vine in season. Two redbud trees flank the path leading to the front door. Four varieties of euphorbia, along with several sedum and thyme, weave throughout the yard. Barberry, spirea, privet, honeysuckle, daphne, irises, and gaura are among the many plants that create such an inviting entrance.Pic 3

There are 25 to 30 roses in both the front and back. Fair Bianca is one of Smith’s favorites. Peonies also abound.
Pic 4

The back of the irregularly-shaped nearly quarter-acre property has a large section, or “room,” defined by a lush photinia hedge, with raised beds for vegetables. Also in back, there are apple, cherry, fig, and pear trees. The largest tree on the property is a golden locust. A Japanese maple frames the view to the back through the study window. Favorite plants include oakleaf hydrangea, black-lace elderberry, and gold-thread cypress.

Pic 5
Smith, a professional musician, thoroughly enjoys the many benefits of gardening and hopes to create an equally relaxing retreat at her new home.

Article By: Ruth Sloan
~Photos throughout the year by Larry Rosengren and Cyd Smith

Horticulture Report:

Plant Name:  Epimedium pubigerumepimedium_bishops-hat
Common Name:  Bishop’s Hat,  Red Barrenwort,
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 1-2 feet
Spread: 1-2 feet
Bloom Time: April to June
Flower Color: Tiny yellow flowers
Exposure:  Part to Full Shade
Soil Requirements: Fertile, well-drained
Water Needs: Average, will tolerate semi-dry situations
Attributes: Heart-shaped leaves, Bronze Fall Foliage, Deer Resistant, Drought tolerant when established,
Note: Grows well under trees
Uses: Fall Color, Winter Interest, Dry Rocky Areas, Woodland Gardens, Naturalized Gardens, Groundcover
Native to: Bulgaria, Turkey, Caucasus
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9

Rogue River Watershed Council

Ashland Garden Club is providing support though donations to the Rogue River Watershed Council, whose goals are to improve water quality by restoring in-stream habitats, rehabilitating stream sides  and create healthy watersheds throughout the Rogue River Basin.

You can help, too.
Volunteers are always needed!

http://www.rogueriverwc.org/get-involved/volunteer/

http://www.rogueriverwc.org/