Aperire
The etymology behind the word April comes from the Latin word Aprilis, which is derived from aperire. The Romans named the month Aprilis because it “opened” the buds of flowers and leaves. April is the fourth month of the year and is significant for marking the start of spring, renewal, and growth.
As a child I always looked forward to the Easter season. Everything seemed to be painted in Paas pastel colors. Chocolate bunnies abounded and my mother’s garden burst out with tender new leaf growth, citrus flower scents and busily buzzing bees. The garden appeared to blossom overnight. Spring had definitely arrived. My early childhood memories mostly center around my mother’s garden. Mom, being an Earth Mother Goddess, would plop me down in the garden in the mornings. While she toiled away in the distance with her plants I would play with mealy bugs, spiders, flowers and mud pies. In fact, this is my first life memory.
Another sign of spring was one of our family Easter rituals. The season found my brother George and I tagging along to my father’s tailor to have our Easter suits created for the special day. Each year brought a new suit. We’d wait and wiggle while the tailor took our measurements, then waited and waited what seemed an eternity, which was actually two weeks, for the final suits to be delivered. My older sisters, Cecy and Sandra, wore handmade dresses sewn by my mother. The dresses somehow were always identical in style but done in different pastel colors. So, dressed to the nines, we piled into my dad’s Rambler wagon and dashed to church, then to an early dinner at my godfather’s house and then back home.
What to plant in April
From now through mid-June, when the rainy season begins, the weather is hotter and drier. The viveros now will have Lantana, Portulaca and baby’s breath. Don’t forget Aztec lily, Agapanthus and daylilies, which are things that also do well all year ‘round. Start forget-me-nots, Nemesia for borders and containers, and Osteospermum (Star of the Veldt), with its long blooming and colorful daisy-like flowers. It is now time to start eggplant, pepper and tomato seeds in flats or pots for later transplanting, as well as to put lettuce seeds into the garden. Remember that you have to protect your young seedlings from the intense heat and sun and water them faithfully until the rains begin. Deadhead and water regularly. Pruning is an ongoing process here and encourages new growth. It’s a good time to consider cacti and succulents.
Wait until the end of the month to sow or transplant vegetables and fruits that prefer very warm weather to mature, including beans, corn, cucumbers, melons, peppers, pumpkins, and squash.
The weather from now through June is ideal for planting citrus, avocados, and other tender trees such as kiwis, kumquats, and pomegranates. For growing in containers, be sure to choose dwarf varieties. For the best choice in citrus, look for trees with many strong branches, a smooth graft union, and deep green leaves.
To temper the drying and heating effect of the sun mulch the soil, especially with organic matter such as leaves or grass clippings, and irrigation will be more effective with less frequency and quantity. Digging compost and animal manure into your garden soil will help to improve the texture as well as furnish valuable nutrients.
“Spring will come and so will happiness. Hold on. Life will get warmer.”
– Anita Krizzan
- Verdant View – April 2025 - March 30, 2025
- Verdant View – March 2025 - February 27, 2025
- Verdant View – February 2025 - January 30, 2025
