Here is a video of my garden in the Beginning of April.  Most of the cooler season crops have already bolted and pulled from the garden, others are still hanging around.  We can some transplants in there like Armenian cucumber, eggplant, Peppers, Tomatillos and Tomatoes that were planted back in March.  There are also seeds that we cant see like Okra, Malabar Spinach and black eyed peas, and some that we can see like Summer Squash and Sunflowers.  A lot of the more delicate flowers are in bloom and look beautiful, however sadly, soon the heat will kill them.

April Fools! It Can be Nice, Or Super Hot!

April is one of those crazy months here in the valley.  The month will usually start off beautiful, and towards the end of the month it’s hot.

Needless to say, this makes gardening in the desert a challenge.  The Garden looks amazing from the cooler weather we have had, but it’s also time to pull some of those amazing looking plants, because if we don’t get things in the ground, they will never get established before the heat hits.  March was your month to get things into the ground, and April will be one of your last chances to get most things growing before it gets too hot.  Timing will be your friend here, and procrastination will not pay off.  It’s better to get everything in earlier in the month than later in the month.

We can still plant a fair amount of Veggies in the ground, but if you look back to March you will notice the list is getting smaller… and may will be even less.  All the more reason to get those crops in the ground!

 

Here is what can be planted in the month of April!

These usually do best from Transplant:

  • Cucamelon
  • Eggplant
  • Garlic Chives
  • Lavender
  • Lemon Balm
  • Lemon Grass
  • Lemon Verbena
  • Marjoram
  • Mint
  • Oregano
  • Parsley
  • Peppers
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Stevia
  • Sweet Potatoes (Plant Slips)
  • Thyme

These usually do best from Seed

  • Amaranth
  • Black-Eyed Peas
  • Bush and Pole Beans
  • Beans (Lima)
  • Beans (Yardlong/Snake)
  • Buckwheat

These grow Equally Well from Seed or Transplant

  • Armenian Cucumbers
  • Artichokes (Jerusalem)
  • Basil
  • Cantaloupe
  • Chives
  • Cucumber
  • Jicama (*seeds are poisonous)
  • Luffa
  • Malabar Spinach
  • Okra
  • Roselle Hibiscus
  • Sesame

April in the desert can be beautiful, and it can be cruel.  Either way, be sure to get the plants in the ground, that you want to get established before summer hits.  It won’t be long and summer will be here, we will look back and wish for the cooler days in may.

I wish you nothing but success,

Aaron