Now is the time to get outside, enjoy the fresh spring air, and get your edible organic garden off to a good start. Here are a few tips on what to plant now, how to control those pesky snails and insects, and how you can help the bee population.
What to Plant in April
As the weather warms up you can start planting your favorite colorful annuals, such as impatiens, as well as start your edible vegetable garden (if you haven’t already). A few easy-growing choices for the west are beans, carrots, corn, cucumbers, melon, lettuce, pumpkins, radishes, squash, tomatoes and peppers. Spring is also a great time to plant your favorite perennials. African daisy’s, clematis, foxgloves and lavender are all low-maintenance choices that will produce beautiful blooms year after year. Don’t forget your favorite kitchen herbs! My no-fail favorites are basil, chives, cilantro, dill and oregano and parsley. Must-have perennial herbs that I enjoy all year in my kitchen garden are sage, rosemary, lavender and thyme.
Keeping your Garden Organic and Snail-Free
One way you can rid your garden of snails is to place a shallow bowl of beer or fruit juice in between your plants. The snails will be attracted to it and will drown in the bowls. Cedar bark, gravel or sawdust placed around plants are an irritant to snails and will help keep them away. If you see a snail traveling through your garden, a little sprinkle of salt on the snail will rid you of individual snails.
Keep the “Bad Bugs” Out
Pesticides can be harmful to animals and small children, so instead of reaching for the spray, look for alternatives to help combat the bugs. And remember that not all bugs are bad. Ladybugs and spiders feed on the insects that destroy your plants. You can actually buy ladybugs and set them free in your garden, or buy plants that attract these helpful bugs (check with your local nursery). Invest in plants that repel these bad bugs such as Marigolds and the borage herb plant.
Help the Bee Crisis
Many of you have heard that honey bees are dying at an alarming rate. Over the last couple of years, more than 25 percent of the honey bee population has disappeared. Since the bees are responsible for more than 100 different crops, and according to ABC News, this could make it more difficult to get many of our favorite foods like nuts, fruits and berries. Although the exact cause of this disappearance is not known, there is something you can do to help. You can get your own garden growing, and include bee-friendly plants. Some of the favorites of the bees in my garden are lavender and fruit trees. As the soil warms up, spring is a great time to plant citrus trees, which the bees can use as much as you can!
Written By Karen
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