Here are tasks to tackle and things to be concerned with in the garden this month:
IN THE EDIBLE GARDEN
Don’t rush the growing season. The frost-free date for Chicago is around April 25 near the lake and May 5 away from the lake. The term frost-free means that there is still a 50-50 chance of frost on the frost-free date. We have had frost as late as Memorial Day.
Plant peas, carrots, spinach, onions, potatoes, cabbage, radishes and leaf lettuce before or on the frost-free date.
Plant strawberries. Set the strawberry plant in the ground so that the soil just covers the tops of the roots. Do not cover the crown. (A University of Illinois Extension fact sheet is available; see below.)
Collect soil samples for testing. Sample vegetable gardens, flower gardens and lawns separately. Each sample should consist of soil taken from 5 different spots within a particular area. Call 773-768-7779 for step-by-step instructions and a list of soil testing labs.
Spring is prime feeding time for rabbits. There are several methods of control that you can use. Rabbit repellents and sprays are available at most garden centers. These may work for a short period of time, but will have to be applied often, especially after rain. Remember that new growth since the initial spraying is not protected.
The most effective protection against rabbits is a chicken-wire fence. Purchase a 3-foot high roll of chicken wire. As you set up the fence, bend the bottom 6 inches outward at a 90-degree angle. Bury this under two inches of soil to keep the rabbit from burrowing under the fence. The remaining fence will be high enough to keep rabbits out. Since rabbits won’t usually eat squash, tomatoes or potatoes, these can be planted outside the boundaries of the fence. If rabbits are really hungry they will eat almost anything.
Come to the Garden Faire 2005 at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences at 3857 W. 111th St. in Chicago May 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Faire is a one-day horticulture event with seminars, a plant sale, farm tours and merchants. WGN radio’s Mike Nowak of “Let’s Talk Gardening” and Kathy O’Malley of the “Kathy & Judy” show will keynote the Faire. Admission is $35 and includes lunch. Call 773-768-7779, advance registration required.
IN THE ORNAMENTAL GARDEN
Do not prune shrubs that bloom in the spring. Pruning them now would reduce their flowering. Prune them after they flower.
Use slow-release nitrogen lawn fertilizer for most of your lawn applications. Slow-release fertilizers provide uniform growth and less chance of burn.
Most perennials can be divided and planted this month except for peony and iris.
Extend the life of your Easter lily by placing it in indirect light 65 to 70 degrees. Remove the flowers as soon as they die. Plant outside in a sunny spot as soon as danger of frost is past. Water thoroughly. Fertilize with a 5-10-5 fertilizer. New shoots will emerge and the plant will flower in July or August.
Pinch the flowers off bedding plants to help produce healthy root systems.
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Ronald C. Wolford is an extension educator in urban gardening for the University of Illinois Extension. To obtain the extension’s fact sheets, call 773-233-0476 or see the Web site, www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/hort.
