April 2025
The month of March seemed to blow by. Supposedly the windiest month of the year. Very true this year. Now we get down to business. Spring has sprung. Lots to do this month.
Start by cleaning up your yard. A gentle rake of your lawn and flower beds to remove old leaves, twigs and debris from last fall. If your soil is wet, wait a while till it dries.
Cut off last year’s dead growth from your perennials. Prune any broken or diseased branches on shrubs and trees. Roses can be pruned now. Start by pruning at the tip of the cane until you find green wood. Then stop.
Edge flower beds. Organic fertilizer like Holly-tone, Plant-tone , etc. can be applied now especially around spring bulbs coming up.
Turn your compost bin.
Tune up your lawn mower.
Clean out bird houses, bird baths and feeders.
Decide which perennials you want to divide and donate to the plant sale or replant for yourself. Containers for donations are available from Lori Kelley 978- 239-4057.
If you are starting a new garden, it’s smart to have your soil tested. Gathering soil from 4 corners and center of the new area. Let it dry. You can purchase your own soil testing kit. Or send to U Mass Cooperative Extension. Call 413-545-2311 for instructions weekdays 8 am to 4 pm. Or check online for more information. Soil chemistry is very important. It is the most important fact for gardeners to know what is best for their particular soil ph and garden location. Look up the best plants available for your situation. You can adjust soil ph. by adding lime. Raised beds help with heavy, wet and clay soil, also by adding compost and peat moss.Time to start tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, zinnias, and basil inside. My parsley is up as well as lettuce, lobelia, feverfew, and marigolds.
For those of you who are doing arrangements for “BOAT IN BLOOM“ at the Maritime Museum this month, keep in mind the principles of floral design as guidelines for your arrangements. Balance, rhythm, contrast, dominance, proportion, and scale.
Balance: Visually stable. secure.
Rhythm: Gentle, smooth, graceful movement , that carries your eye throughout the design.
Dominance: Something in the design that is seen as commanding or compelling. Noticed as soon as you see the design.
Contrast: Variation of textures. Smooth versus ribbed, color variations, etc.
Proportion: Well-related to space allotted.
Scale: Consistent size relationships within the design.
Container: Your container is an important part of your design. It should be compatible with the style of your design. A marriage so to speak of container to the design. If the container is white, there should be white somewhere in your design.
These design principles are simply guidelines to help you make a beautiful design, nothing else. Don’t be afraid to create something different. Invent your own style.
