Let’s Play in the Dirt!

April's birthstone is diamond, which symbolizes innocence. Personally, I like it because it sparkles!!
Its birth flower is the daisy and sweet pea.

The derivation of the name (Latin Aprilis) is uncertain; the traditional etymology is from the Latin Aperire, "to open", in allusion to its being the season when trees and flowers begin to "open”.

It’s April and time to get your hands dirty! I love my flowerpots overflowing on my patio with colorful flowers every year; first with the bright daffodil blooms in spring right through to the deep rich tones of the hardy autumn mum. Even though I get lucky with my plants more times than not, I’ll be the first to admit I do not have a green thumb.
That being said, I have been known to take my best friend or my sister-in-law hostage to help with the planting of my flowerpots. Normally it’s my friend, only because my sister-in-law lives a few hundred miles away. I have no problem digging in the dirt as I grew up a ‘Tom Boy’ with farms all around me. Though, the difference these days is I no longer bite my nails, in fact I have them manicured every other week so my only request is that I wear gloves - I can’t ruin my manicure! Truth is, even though I grew up in a small town with small town farms literally surrounding my house, I never took the time to learn about plants or gardening. My mom had a garden but I never paid any attention to what she was doing. I don’t know which plants are best in direct sunlight vs. shade, how far will they spread, and so on. So I learn these things from my friends, I read articles on the Internet and it’s always a smart idea to ask advise at your local greenhouse - they’re usually happy to make suggestions.
While bringing your flowerpots onto your patio why not bring out all of your outdoor furniture and prepare your deck for those relaxing times with your family, entertaining friends or for all those relaxing times alone. With an attractive fire pit you can sit comfortably for hours after the sun goes down. The season is just beginning for many enjoyable nights on your patio or garden, the warmth of a firepit is the perfect gathering spot to relax with your favorite book or drink; perhaps you’d rather have your closest friends over for a get together. No matter what your preference, the glow of a fire pit and the warmth that emanates is always inviting. Strategically place a few tabletop firepots or lanterns and light up your garden and patio for your guests to gather and mingle. All your friends will be talking about the wonderful time they had at your party!

A tip for gardeners:
Remember: most annuals do not tolerate frost, and transplants will do better if planted into soil that has a bit of time to warm up after the cold winter. Hardy perennials can be planted quite early in the spring, especially if they have been acclimated to the outdoor temperatures at a nursery.