Fast food
April is prime season for vegetable gardening, one of nature's tastiest rewards. Growing your own food is fun and fascinating, offers great exercise, reduces the carbon emissions needed to bring food to the table and provides delicious, high quality food steps from your kitchen.
The rich resources in the Rogue Valley make it easy to jump in. Friendly, expert advice is always available at local nurseries, the Jackson County Master Gardener's Association, Ashland Parks &Recreation garden classes, friends and neighbors, and the folks at the Rogue Growers' and Crafters' Market.
Sunshine, water and rich, healthy soil are the basic keys to success. Garden areas should get at least six hours of sun daily. Soil should be kept moist but not soggy. Vegetable crops need up to nine to 12 inches of topsoil, or a nine to 12 inch deep container, to thrive.
Existing soil areas, containers and lawns are all fair game. Lawns can be converted to planting beds without any herbicides or much effort. Place a few layers of cardboard on the grass and add topsoil, mixed with compost, on top of the cardboard. Dig to clear the area a few inches around the perimeter to protect the garden from an invasion of grass. Soils that are heavy in clay will benefit from topsoil and compost. Those without sunny garden-able areas can sign up for a community garden plot or ask neighbors with empty yard space cultivate crops to share.
Those new to gardening or their growing area may want to test the soil for pH, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Plants, like people, need a balanced diet. Local garden centers and nurseries can help find natural additions to balance the soil, such as lime and kelp. Throughout the season, watch for signs of deficient or unbalanced soil, including yellowing leaves, slow growth, failure to set fruit or early loss of leaves. If identified early, these problems can be fixed by adding the right nutrients.
Ready to plant
Watching plants grow and bear fruit is a daily delight. The Jackson County Master Gardener's Guide lists what to plant indoors and outdoors each month, along with lots of simple and effective gardening advice and maintenance tips.
Starting plants from seed is inexpensive and provides a way to get close to one of the great wonders of nature — watching an almost microscopic seed expand into a productive plant. Start extra plants to make great gifts that keep giving, at least until winter. The Master Gardener Guide says now is the time to start seeds for basil, eggplant, squash, peppers and tomatoes indoors. Seeds that can be sown directly into the soil include carrots, beets, kale, lettuce, peas, radishes, tomatillo, dill, parsley and fennel. Adding flowers like Marigolds will attract beneficial insects and add color.
April is already mid-way into the growing season for cool weather crops, so gardeners who are just beginning to plant can get starts to provide a harvest that lasts as long as possible. Look for broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, leeks, lettuce, parsley and Chinese cabbage this month.
Beyond the garden
Outside of the garden, start thinking about summer watering. For any new irrigation, choose drip systems to save water and prevent root rot or other damage from over watering. Place a barrel under each downspout to store rainwater for use in the summer. Plants don't know the difference between tap water and rainwater and gardeners will enjoy lower water bills and lessen the load on water treatment facilities.
April is also an ideal time to set up a compost system. This is a terrific way to create an ongoing source of free organic fertilizer while reducing your trash bills and landfill impact. The Recycling Depot on Water Street has a compost demonstration area with bins of all sizes, from homemade to pre-made. Ashland Sanitary and the Conservation Commission also sponsor free composting classes in late spring and early summer. Participants even receive a free compost bin.
Feeling inspired? Dig in!
