Great Plains Gardening
April 4, 2003
According to the calendar, spring has officially arrived. However, since its official arrival we seem to have had more winter type temperatures than the weeks prior to the first day of spring. Those days really made one feel like getting out and doing some gardening. This being Colorado Eastern Plains, I’ve always been rather hesitant about doing any real serious planting, etc. yet.
Southeast Area Extension will have a booth at the Home and Garden Show at the Community Building in Lamar, April 11-12. I encourage you to go. If you have any questions or concerns, there will be Extension Agents and Master Gardeners there to help you in any way they can.
I have a few gardening tips for March and April that come from Colorado State University Cooperative Extension’s gardener’s planning and planting guide (calendar 2002). Though it was published last year it is still relevant, however keep in mind our own particular area’s altitude, climate, and related weather conditions. I’m sure you have noticed in years past the difference in early spring plant growth here in comparison to the Lamar area.
This tip is one that I thought a good one. Children would especially enjoy watching the process, as well as the adults. "Use smaller pruned out twigs of flowering quince, lilac, forsythias and pussy willows for forcing into bloom. Place the cut ends into a vase of water, change water every other day"
Are you thinking vegetables? "The proper time to plant peas and onions in Colorado depends on climate and altitude. The day before planting soak peas overnight in water. Onion sets, radishes and spinach crops can also be put in. Start eggplant, bell pepper and chili peppers indoors."
"Seed hardy annuals (peas, larkspur, cosmos, bachelor buttons) outside. Start snapdragons, impatiens, and seed geraniums inside."
As for trees and shrubs: "Plant bare root roses, trees and shrubs. After planting, water well and mulch. Continue watering the rest of the landscape if there is a lack of snow. Look for vole injury on junipers and prune out the damage. Prune trees before applying dormant oil on trees and shrubs. Apply dormant oil on trees before leaf out. Avoid using the oil on junipers." (For more detailed information on horticulture oils, the Extension Office has a fact sheet available--#5.569) Another tip is to remove tree wrap on "tax day."
Due to prior commitments I was unable to attend the 2003 Eastern Community Forestry Workshop in Lamar on March 27th. I understand they were to have workshops on tree care during drought, proper pruning techniques, tree selection, insect control, etc. which would have been very educational for all who attended. I hope some of you were able to attend.
Tips on lawn care include: "Core aerate and mow with mulching lawn mower. Sharpen mower blades and replace the oil to get a good start on the growing season. Do not fertilize if you fertilized last fall."
Somewhere it has been said that the time to plant potatoes is on St. Patrick’s Day. Does anyone do this? April seems to be the more normal planting date by gardeners here in the high plains. CSU fact sheet #7.610 recommends planting potatoes "up to 2 weeks earlier than the average date of the last spring frost. The soil temperature should be 45 degrees or warmer." Did you know "potatoes provide 13 essential vitamins and minerals? Variety and tuber texture determine a potato’s best use. Allow about 15 pounds of seed potatoes (2.5 ounces each) for each 100 feet of row. A 100-foot row can yield more than 200 pounds of potatoes. High quality, certified seed gives the best results."
There are 3 varieties that were developed in Colorado. They are the Chipeta, Russet Nugget, and the Sangre. All require low fertility and water to produce high yields. The Sangre is a medium maturity potato (85-100 day) while the Chipeta and Russet Nugget are late maturers (more than 100 days). Other popular potato varieties for the home garden are the Dark Red Norland, Kennebec, Norgold Russet, Red LaSoda, Russet Burbank, Russet Norkotah, Yellow Finn, Yukon Gold, All Red, and All Blue.
Potatoes prefer a sandy to sandy loam soil, but they can be grown in our clay soil of Kiowa County using soil amendments in the planting area. Yields will not be as large, however. If you have never tried raising potatoes, this year may be a good time to try a few plants. Get the above mentioned fact sheet from the Extension Office and start your potato patch soon.
I also mentioned the planting of onions this month. If you plant seeds, it should be done now, although it can be done up to May l. Sets can also be done now. If you really want to grow a large onion in your garden, plant the plants in late April or early May. You will be happier with your yield by planting plants from a reliable seed company. Onions are shallow-rooted so require frequent irrigation. If properly cured and stored, some onion varieties will keep until May.
I recently came across the following "fact or fancy" about the onion I thought I might share with you. "Onions are one of the oldest vegetables and are grown in almost every part of the world. It is said that the slaves who built the Pyramids of Egypt were fed large amounts of cooked onions, to give them strength. Medicinal values have long been attributed to the onion. The juice was once thought to cure baldness, as well as eye trouble, and chest congestion. Raw onion is sometimes applied to bee stings to draw out the poison.
Until next time…