The much anticipated spring has arrived. Finally we can plant just about anything we want without fear of frost. When buying seedlings in six-paks or small pots remember bigger is not always better, quality is what is important. Look for dark green leaves, a thick stalk, no yellowing or shriveling. Don't throw those Easter lilies or chrysanthemums away, when they are done blooming remove from their pot and plant in a sunny location of the garden.

WHAT TO PLANT
Annuals - alyssum, blanket flower, cleome, cockscomb (celosia), coleus, cosmos, impatiens, lobelia, love-in-the-mist, marigold, moss rose (portulacas), nicotiana, marigold, periwinkle (vinca), petunia, salvias, sunflower, and zinnia. Not snapdragons, pansies or primroses, or any other cool-season annual as their season is over.

Bulbs - Spring is the time for planting caladium, callas, cannas, dahlia, gladiolus, and tuberose. Stagger the planting of gladiolus over several weeks to lengthen the bloom period.

Perennials - Sow seeds or plant seedlings of baby breath, candytuft, carnation, coneflower, coreopsis, dianthus, hollyhock, statice, verbena, and wallflower (erysimum).

Herbs - Hooray! It's time to plant basil, as well as, cilantro, chives, curly or Italian parsley, lavender, oregano, sages and thyme. These herbs don't just belong in a tiny herb pot, many are very ornamental. Try purple basil with white coneflower or trailing rosemary around the feet of roses.

Veggies - In early April there's still time for beets, lettuce, and radishes. In late April plant only the heat lovers, beans, corn, cucumber, eggplant, melons, okra, peppers, summer squash, and tomatoes. Once again be sure to check out seed packets for varieties not available as seedlings.

GARDEN CHORES
Fertilize - Plants grow at a phenomenal rate in the spring. Feed lawns, roses, shrubs, and trees (just about everything) with a balanced fertilizer. Use acid fertilizer on azaleas, gardenias, and rhododendrons after they flower. When daffodils and other spring bulbs finish bloom and before leaves wither, give them a shot of fertilizer for next year's flowers. If citrus leaves are looking a little yellow, then spray them with a liquid chelated iron/zinc mixture. This is great for gardenias and many other iron chlorotic shrubs, too!

Pinch/Prune - Pinch annuals and perennials for dense growth and more bloom. Prune spring flowering shrubs, such as azaleas, camellias, forsythia, and lilac, when they finish blooming. Since they bloom on year old growth they will have an entire year to develop new wood. Azaleas don't need to be pruned every year, just remove any long shoots to keep them compact. A good "rule of thumb" when pruning any shrub or tree, is prune them to shape and don't remove any more than 1/3 of the growth. Do not trim or braid foliage on bulbs until it has turned completely yellow to allow plants to store nutrients for next year.

Critter control - It's not too soon to control mosquitoes. Drain any standing water and add mosquito fish or goldfish to ponds. Bait or handpick slugs and snails. Do you have white blobs of foam on your plants? There is a little bug is in the center of that foam called a spittle bug. Just wash the foam and the bugs off with the hose.

Citrus woes - Citrus leaves may turn a little yellow this time of year so give them an application of nitrogen; spread the fertilizer evenly over the entire root zone and water well. During the period of March through July it's normal for citrus trees to drop leaves, so don't panic. Bud and small fruit drop is also normal. However if the leaves are stippled you have a spider mite infestation. If the leaves are crinkled you have thrips.

Sooty leaves are a sign of a problem with aphids, scale or whitefly. Blast plants with a jet of water from a hose. That's right; a strong spray will dislodge and drown pests such as aphids, mites, and whiteflies. Don't forget to spray the undersides of leaves. If infestations are heavy, try using an insecticidal soap. Ants protect aphids from the natural insect predators that feed on aphids. Wrap sticky barriers to trees to prevent ants from protecting the aphid infestation in your trees.

The Master Gardeners will be having an Information Booth at the Iris Festival in Porterville on April 22. Please, come out and visit. We love to talk gardening!