Middle South
April, 2005
Regional Report
Set Out a Few Tomato Plants
There's still a good chance we'll get a cold snap, but if you're a gambler, try planting a few of your tomato seedlings in the garden. Use purchased cloches or Wall O' Waters, or wrap a tomato cage with plastic to shelter the plants from the wind. Be prepared to cover the plants if temperatures drop into the 40s.
Plant Cool-Tolerant Annuals
Petunias, snapdragons, and annual dianthus can all withstand a light frost. Harden off purchased plants over the course of a week or two; then go ahead and plant them in garden beds and containers. If an unusual, late hard freeze is expected, cover the plants.
Till, But Not Too Much
Before tilling, pick up a handful of soil and squeeze it. If it remains in a ball or if you can squeeze moisture out, it is too wet to till. Till as little as possible because overtilling breaks down soil structure and, ironically, can lead to compaction.
Try Some New Annual Vines
If you've covered that trellis with morning glories every year, why not try something different? Or try a combination? Options include scarlet runner beans, firecracker vine (Mina lobata), black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia), and purple bell vine (Rhodochiton). Match the vigor of the vine to its support; runner beans need a sturdy support; black-eyed Susan vines are less rampant.
Press Some Pansies
Violas, johnny jump-ups, and pansies are in their full glory now. Harvest the most perfect flowers for pressing to use on notecards or in framed arrangements. Use a special plant press, or simply place the flowers between the pages of a phone book, then place some heavy books on top.
