Gardening Tips for April

Introduction

• April is a great month to start planting seeds for your garden.
• Presentation by Jacqu, Meg, and Aaron from Impatient Gardener.
• Sponsored by Shopify.

Growing Corn

• Corn is a grass, developed from selective breeding.
• Types of Corn:
  • Flint Corn (Glass Gem): Ornamental purposes, not for eating.
  • Popcorn (Robust Pop R400): For making popcorn.
  • Sweet Corn: Varieties include Honey and Cream, Sugar Baby, Butter Gold.
• Planting Tips:
  • Direct sow recommended in planting blocks for proper pollination.
  • Wind pollinated; tassels (male) and silks (female) parts.

Growing Cucumbers

• Varieties:
  • Tasty Green: Japanese cucumber, good for salads.
  • Spacemaster 80: Compact, good for containers.
  • Armenian Cucumber: Good for hot climates, not technically a cucumber.
• Planting Tips:
  • Direct sow with larger seeds.
  • Use trellis for vining cucumbers.
  • Tomato cages can support compact varieties.

Growing Peanuts

• Peanuts are legumes, not nuts, grow underground.
• Thrive in warm climates; variety Northern Hardy Valencia for colder areas.
• Variety: Fastigata Pinstriped (Jungle peanut).
• Planting Tips:
  • Direct sow in warm climates after last frost.
  • Inside sowing for colder climates to get a head start.

Growing Parsley

• Varieties:
  • Flat Leaf Italian Parsley for eating.
  • Curly Parsley for ornamental purposes.
• Excellent host plant for swallowtail butterflies.
• Planting Tips:
  • Soak seeds before planting to aid germination.
  • Keep seeds moist.

Growing Pumpkins

• Fun Varieties:
  • Big Max, Lumina (white pumpkins), traditional Jack-O-Lanterns.
• Planting Tips:
  • Don't transplant if possible.
  • Speed germination by slightly nicking seeds.
  • Plant in mounds with three seeds.

Growing Summer Squash (Zucchini)

• Varieties:
  • Emerald Delight, Romanesco, Max's Gold (yellow squash).
• Harvest at various stages for different uses.
• Edible flowers.

Growing Okra

• Originates from West Africa, thrives in warm climates.
• Variety: Clemson Spineless (recommended for those with sensitive skin).
• Planting Tips:
  • Direct sow in warm climates.
  • Start indoors for cooler areas.
  • Stake plants as they grow tall.

Growing Sweet Potatoes

• Sweet potatoes need long, hot seasons.
• Propagate using slips from the potato.
• Planting Tips:
  • Use soil to cover potato in a shallow container to produce slips.
  • Transplant slips directly to garden.

Growing Annual Vines

• Cypress Vine: Ornamental with star-shaped flowers.
• Start indoors for a head start.
• Plant in warm summer conditions.

Experiencing Roselle

• Related to okra, used for its tangy calyxes.
• Planting Tips:
  • Direct sow in warm climates.
  • Can grow large, keep in mind spacing needs.

Watermelon

• Requires ample space and water.
• Varieties: Sugar Baby (small), Charleston Gray, Mountain Sweet Yellow.
• Planting Tips:
  • Amend soil with compost and create a mound for planting.
  • Keep soil moist and nutritious.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to plant in April and personal anecdotes for inspiration.
• Reminder of the important role Shopify played in supporting the presenters' gardening ventures.

Check out additional guides for specific plants to enhance your gardening experience!