13 Ways to Celebrate National Garden Month

April is National Garden Month! What is Wright Outdoor Solutions doing to celebrate National Garden Month? We’ve asked our staff to contribute a few tips or ideas for how you can get in the spirit of the growing season, whether you want to get your hands dirty or simply appreciate the blooming colors around you. Use the compiled list to join in the celebration of all things garden!

1. Grow a Container Garden – A different approach to flower beds or a vegetable patch, container gardening adds dimension to your plants. Place your containers on a patio, front porch or wherever you please. Group together your favorite plants in an eclectic selection of pots for a decorative display of your green thumb!

2. Compost – Rather of throwing plant waste into the trash can, heap it into a separate container to create compost. Find a spot in your yard to dump the compost regularly. It takes several weeks to decompose, but it is an important supplement your garden soil craves. If you don’t want to go to the trouble of composting yourself, Wright Outdoor Solutions is happy to apply a compost fertilizer several times a year. We know this safe and organic method has countless benefits to your lawn.

3. Participate in a Community Garden – Don’t have a yard but still want to grow your own food or flowers? Sign up for a community garden. Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department have several public spaces dedicated to community gardens or start your own.

4. Plant a Tree on Arbor Day – Arbor Day is Friday, April 24. Whether you volunteer locally or want to plant trees in your own backyard, Arbor Day is a great day to take action in beautifying our community. Pro Tip: if you’ve ordered bare root trees or shrubs, they need to be in the ground before their growth begins.

5. Visit our Garden Center – The Wright Outdoor Solutions Garden Center opens April 17. Come stock up on high quality plant material and garden decor. Our friendly, expert staff can help you select the perfect plants for your landscape, and you’ll leave knowing exactly how to care for them. Come check out the wide variety we have to offer!

6. Start a Plant Swap – Host a plant swap with your closest gardening friends. Each participant will have new plants to add to their décor or landscape.

7. Give the Gift of Green – Share your passion of the outdoors with a gift card to our Garden Center. Maybe you know a friend who moved into a new house or someone who maintains a robust garden, but you aren’t quite sure what they need. A gift card might be the perfect gift for them to stock up. Stop by or give us a call at 515.987.0800 so we can help you make someone else’s day a little greener.

8. Farmers Market – Although it is too early to visit, plan a time to visit the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market this summer. The Saturday market represents 58 counties in the state of Iowa so you know you are buying local. Don’t miss opening day, May 2 from 7 a.m. – noon.

9. Take Care of Your Lawn – Use a granular pre-emergent in your landscape beds now to help reduce the amount of weeding you will need to do later in the season. Plus, now is a great time to apply grass seed to your lawn. Here at Wright Outdoor Solutions, we know a beautiful lawn is an investment, which is why we offer a complete package of lawn care services to keep your lawn healthy and beautiful.

10. Explore a Conservatory – Celebrate the world of plants at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, or pile your family and friends into the car to drive through the Iowa Arboretum.

11. Decorate Your Garden – Plant a cut flower mix in your garden. Later in the summer you will have beautiful blooms to share with others. If you keep them to yourself, we won’t tell.

12. Take Advantage of Cooler Temperatures – If you can work the ground, fast germinating cool season vegetables like lettuces, spinaches and radishes can be planted. Seedlings of cool season flowers like pansies and snapdragons can be planted. Be mindful of what can be planted outside! For example, sunflowers, cosmos zinnias and hollyhocks should be started indoors.

13. Sign Up for a CSA – Even without time to garden (or a green thumb), fresh vegetables all summer long are possible and at your convenience. A community supported agriculture (CSA) allows city residents to have direct access to fresh produces from local farmers. When you join a CSA, you purchase a share of vegetables from a local farmer. During the spring, summer or fall, you receive a weekly or biweekly supply of vegetables from your farmer, either delivered to you or available to pick up at a convenient location. Members pay for the entire season upfront but receive locally grown food all season. Find a CSA near you.

We hope you take advantage of an idea or two to celebrate National Garden Month. What ideas would you add to the list?

Disclaimer: Wright Outdoor Solutions does not endorse any products or services through this blog post. The views and opinions of the authors expressed do not necessarily reflect Wright Outdoor Solutions.