APRIL GARDENING TIPS

• Annuals: plant zinnia seeds and transplants of gaillardia, portulaca and vinca.

• Perennials: plant bougainvillea, lantana, verbena, salvia, globe mallow, coral fountain, hollyhock and penstemon.

• Bulbs: plant crinum, rain lily, agapanthus, and cannas. Cut dried leaves off amaryllis, daffodil and narcissus bulbs and leave bulbs in the ground. remove gladiolus bulbs from the ground and store in a cool, dry location. remove any pre-chill bulbs from the ground and re-chill six weeks before planting in the fall.

• Cacti and succulents: plant cacti, ocotillo, ice plant, agave, and yucca.

• Citrus: plant citrus. paint citrus trunks white if exposed to direct sunlight to protect them from sunburn. use latex paint diluted 1-1 with water. Fruit drop this month is a normal thinning process of citrus.

• Herbs: Sow seeds of basil, parsley, cilantro, chives, purslane, and rue. plant transplants of lavender, lemon grass, marjoram, mint, oregano, rosemary, and thyme.

• Roses: plant container roses. during blooming period, use fertilizer every two weeks to encourage more blooms.

• Trees: plant figs, pomegranates and desert-adapted trees, such as palo verde, palo blanca, mesquite, cascolote, texas mountain laurel, indian rosewood, texas ebony, or texas olive. thin plums, apricots, peaches and apples for larger fruit.

• Vegetables: plant cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, pumpkin, summer squash, radish, green onion, okra, cucumber, sweet corn, snap and pinto beans, carrots, black-eyed peas and peanuts.