My sisters Robin, Renee and I visited our aunt last week in Louisville, Kentucky. It was a beautiful drive. Redbuds, azaleas, and dogwoods were just beginning to appear. Due to recent heavy rains in the area, we saw little field preparation started. Do you ever wonder how they gardened and farmed on those rocky areas?
Have you started preparations for your favorite garden spot?
David does most of our gardening at the camp house. John David helped Poppy during spring break by pulling up the electric fence post and rolling up the wire. I have a small area at home, and I hope to get a few things in the ground next week. After I kissed the asphalt in the church parking lot a few weeks ago, I realized I need to be more careful.
Four guys in shining armor may not be around to help me up the next time!
Are you looking for quality plants for your vegetable garden and flower beds? I can help you out! The annual Mississippi State University Extension Lowndes County Master Gardeners will have their plant sale April 26. We will be open from 8 a.m. until noon. We will be set up at the Lowndes County Agricenter and Pavilion. It is located at 485 Tom Rose Road (Behind the MSU Extension Office).
After our meeting this week, we adjourned to the greenhouses. Members have been hard at work. Seeds have been planted, and cuttings have been taken. As I walked through, I saw geraniums in a variety of colors, marigolds, zinnias, spider plants, ferns, coleus, trumpet plants, hanging baskets, lots of varieties of tomatoes and many heirlooms, peppers and so much more. Members have also propagated and divided many pass along plants from their gardens to share.
This year we will have an after sale from 1-4 p.m. April 27. Some unique garden art will also be available. We will take cash or cards! Do not miss out on supporting this community event. Profits from the sale go towards funding a college scholarship to Mississippi State University for a Lowndes County student majoring in horticulture.
April is a busy month for gardeners. It is time to set out most shrubs and trees. That reminds me to check with David to see if he brought the post hole diggers home from Camp David. We bought two pecan trees to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary and we need to get them in the ground.
Perennials such as violets, Shasta daisies, monkey grass or liriope, ajuga, and mums can be divided and moved around your landscape or shared with a friend. Those tomato plants you buy at our plant sale can be planted next Saturday afternoon. It is time to carefully prepare the soil to plant okra, cucumbers, peas, beans, and corn.
Prune azalea and other spring flowering shrubs after blooming. MSU Extension says I should disbud my peonies for specimen flowers. I am so excited to see blooms on both of my peonies, I just think I will enjoy their beauty for now. Maybe next year!
Do not forget to keep your bird feeders filled and the hummingbirds like fresh nectar!
See you at the plant sale!
Former elementary teacher and avid gardener Olivia Sansing lives in the New Hope community and shares timely tips on behalf of the Lowndes County Master Gardeners.
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 33 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
