April Gardening In The Low Desert

Sweet corn will do well here but is a heavy feeder and does require some space. Plant in blocks of 4 rows for good pollination and keep varieties separated to prevent cross-pollination.

Flowers, flowers, flowers! Food for the soul for gardeners! Time to plan gladiolas, lilies, acidanthera, caladium, canna, crinum, iris, etc. Agapanthus, society garlic and zephyranthes (rain lily) are available in containers. Chrysanthemums, columbine, gailardia, gerbera, hollyhock, Shasta daisies, are just some of the perennials that can be planted now. Just remember that most perennials won't bloom the first year. We are fortunate that so many annuals can be grown in this climate..ageratum, coreopsis, celosia, cosmos, four o'clocks, glove amaranth, gloriosa daisy (Rudbeckia), lisianthus, marigold, Mexican sunflower, portulaca, strawflower, vinca, zinnia, salvia, geranium, petunias, and gazania.

When planning your flowers, give some attention to structure and form. Get creative. I like to use the limbs trimmed from trees as supports for annual vines or even scarlet runner beans or pole beans planted in unusual places. Use big pots placed strategically with small trees underplanted with colorful annuals, or attractive vegetables with annuals. I have the perennial, multiplier onions that I plant in any space available. These divide themselves and I use part of them as green onions and leave part to multiply for later. Try some unusual things such as gourds, which love our heat, luffa sponge, which is actually a squash, yardlong beans, and Armenian cucumbers, which are long, twisting and mild.

Now is the time to plant tender vines like bougainvillea, cape honeysuckle and pink trumpet vine. Put them in a warm spot that has a bit of winter protection. Bougainvillea will try to take over in summer and is a pain to prune so try to give it plenty of room. There are many colors from which to choose and even some low growing ones to spill over a pot or retaining wall.

Herb of the month: Chamomile, for soothing tea. Roman is best, German not as nice.

Hint of the month: Grow annual blooming vines such as scarlet runner beans or dolichos lab lab around small trees and train up into the trees for an unusual look. Also use the branches trimmed from trees and stuck into the ground with vines planted on them to make interesting focal points for your garden.

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