Verdant View - April 2026 - El Ojo del Lago

Resurrection

When I think of the word resurrection, I think of the revitalization or revival of something, and the word spring comes to mind. Spring is a perfect metaphor for resurrection. The natural world abounds with life. Flowers reappear, trees dress themselves in new foliage, and butterflies are pollinating. The sun is making an earlier entrance, and days are getting longer and warmer. Living in our paradise is the icing on the cake. April seems like a good start to spring.

In April, my mother’s garden also bursts out with tender new leaf growth, citrus flower scents and busily buzzing bees. The garden appeared to blossom overnight. In April, spring had definitely arrived. My early childhood memories mostly center around my mother’s garden. Mom, being the Earth Mother Goddess that she was, would plop me down in the middle of the garden in the mornings. While she toiled away a short distance from where I sat, I would play with mealy bugs, spiders, flowers and make mud pies and mud sculptures. In fact, this is my first life memory.

The etymology behind the word April comes from the Latin word Aprilis, which is derived from aperire (to open, uncover disclose, or reveal). 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.

What to plant in April

From now thru 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 on-going 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.