* Rake up grass clippings after mowing if they are clumped or matted on the surface of the lawn. Otherwise, they may smother the grass. Because of their smothering capacity, grass clippings make good mulch in the vegetable garden.
* Spot treat dandelions in lawns with an organic weed killer, or dig out the weeds if there are only a few (When was the last time anyone saw just a few dandelions?). There are now on the market many low toxicity organic weed killers approved by USDA’s National Organic Program. If opting for digging, be aware that the entire tap root must be dug, or else any fragment of the root that remains can regenerate a new plant. On the plus side, young dandelion leaves can be used as a leafy green vegetable and the flowers can be used to make wine.
* Plant gladiolus bulbs in the vegetable garden. Hmmm, the vegetable garden? Since glads are superior cut flowers, the vegetable garden may be the best place for them since they can be planted in rows where the flowers can easily be reached for cutting. Plant some bulbs (actually corms) every two weeks from now to mid-June. This will provide flowers from July to early September.
* Sow seeds of root crops such as beets, onions, and radishes, leafy greens including lettuce and transplant seedlings of brassicas, i.e. kale, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.
* Harvest asparagus when the spears are 6 to 8 inches tall and at least as thick as a pencil. Hold off harvesting asparagus if it is a new planting. A 2 year old planting may be harvested for 2 or 3 weeks; a 3 year old planting for 5 or 6 weeks. With beds older than 3 years, harvest may continue to the end of June.
* Make a light application of compost or a general purpose fertilizer around spring bulbs and perennials. Avoid letting any of the fertilizer fall into the center of plants since it may damage the foliage and/or growing points.
* Remember Mom this Sunday, Mother’s Day. A hardy azalea or other flowering shrub will make a lasting gift. Every year that plant blooms, Mom will think of you, and hopefully forget what a miserable kid you were.
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If “April showers bring May flowers,” there certainly will be an abundance of flowers this month.  That’s great because I’m sure it’s the delicate beauty of flowers that attracts most people to the pleasures of gardening. Yet, I wonder how many people, including gardeners, really know flowers. It is common to see people walking through gardens, ooohing and aaahing while admiring the vibrant colors. However, it is the rare individual who stoops to get a honeybee’s view of the details of flowers. Admittedly, it’s a tad easier for the diminutive bee to get an up close and personal view, but it is worth the effort for creatures of our bulk to delve into the depths of a flower. Flowers become even more attractive and fascinating when viewing their intricacies. For this reason, I’ve made it a habit to snip a stem of a solitary flower or a small floral cluster of blooms while on my morning garden stroll. I place the flower in a bud vase on the table so that I might leisurely study and admire the flower in its entirety while I have breakfast.
