APRIL 2001

       Welcome to the April issue of The Hort-Pro on line gardening magazine.  We start this month with a “spring-forward” into daylight savings time.  While we lose one hour’s sleep this weekend, we gain extended evening hours of daylight gardening time.  The loss of an hours sleep and the reminders to "turn the clock forward" are definite harbingers of spring.  Now if my daffodils could only get through the remaining snow drifts…..

       Speaking of time changes, I have a note from one of our writers, horticulturalist Bruce Zimmerman.  I am informed that the “Open Line Garden Show with Bruce Zimmerman” on 610 CKTB in St. Catharines, Ontario, has changed time slots.  It now airs 10 a.m. to 12 noon EST on Saturdays.  This new time is a little later than that which Bruce’s league of listeners are used to, but perhaps we should be consider it a prime opportunity to get our watering done before the heat of the day, and then come in and enjoy a coffee while listening or calling in to the show.

       Bruce can tell us how to control weeds and identify insects, the best method of pruning our Buddleia or Forsythia or  fruit trees or …… transplanting our Japanese Yew, Roses or Blueberries or deciduous shrubs or ….. even the right amount of water and fertilizer for your indoor plants, outdoor plants or .... improving the health of our lawns and all the tricks of a genuine green thumb.  Bruce Zimmerman can also be heard live on the Internet at www.610CKTB.com  

Our articles this month to get us in the mood for spring include…….

     We have a big announcement!  

     Our friends at Turf & Recreation magazine have kindly agreed to allow a re-printing of their column "Duffer", written by Ian Robinson. It is a favorite here at our office. 

     The Duffer is an often humorous, insightful and a very entertaining look at life.  Mr. Robinson has a unique view and we highly recommend reading his columns regularly. The first Duffer we are publishing is called, Singing the Recession Blues. Give it a read!

     Wes Porter's City Gardening this month, Annual Spring Fever Arrives, touches on St. Patrick's Day, Canadian Cactus, and early spring bulbs.  This month Wes focuses his advice on the Care and Pruning of Deciduous Trees and Shrubs, and his anticipation for the Canada Blooms show.  As well he supplies interesting news for gardeners from around the world.  This one's packed with facts.  

    Our Contributing Editor, John A. Morley has an article on Pine Shoot Beetles (Tomicus piniperda in Latin) this month, complete with Pictures, a life history of the little pathogens and section on diagnosing this destructive insect in your Native Ontario, Austrian, Mugho and Scot's Pine.  Whether you have these coniferous plants or not you should have a look at this article.  One can never be too well versed in plant pathogens.

Wes has also graced us with a copy of his this month in which he poses and answers the question "Who Gardens?"  He names some celebrity gardeners, both past and current and comments on gardening columns and magazines available today.