Spring is here! Spring is here! I feel like I have been waiting forever for it to finally arrive.

We don’t have consistent 70 degree-plus weather yet, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Mother Nature apparently took a long nap or was so busy hurling Nor’easters at the states on the upper portion of the map she forgot to turn up the thermostat down here.

I started my seeds and now have a nice collection of seedlings aching to get out into the world. But, they will have to wait a little longer.

The following list of vegetables can be planted in the garden during April.

Beans should be planted in well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0-6.5. Water the plants about once a week in dry weather. Do not let the soil become dry while the beans are blooming, or the blooms will drop. Pole beans require support, such as a trellis.

Beans, bush snap

• Plant: April 15-May 15

• Days to maturity: 50-60

• Cultivars: Contender, Green Crop, Derby, Pod Squad

Beans, pole snap

• Plant: April 15-May 15

• Days to maturity: 60-75

• Cultivars: Dade, Kentucky Wonder, Kentucky Blue

Beans: bush lima

• Plant: April 1-July 1

• Days to maturity: 65-75

• Cultivars: Fordhook 242, Baby Fordhook, Henderson

Beans, pole lima

• Plant: April 1-July 1

• Days to maturity: 80-85

• Cultivars: Carolina Sieva, Florida Speck, King of the Garden

Cucumbers, squash and watermelon are all in the same family. These vine crops require well-drained soil that is rich with organic matter. Plant on ridges to improve drainage and to warm the soil. The larger the seed or lighter the soil, the deeper the seed needs to be planted.

Cucumbers

• Plant: April 15-June 15

• Days to maturity: 50-65

• Cultivars: Pickling, Calypso or Explorer; Slicing, Dasher II, Fanfare, Salad Bush, General Lee

Squash, summer

• Plant: April 15-June 15

• Days to maturity: 40-55

• Cultivars: Dixie, Yellow Crookneck, Yellow Straightneck, Cocozelle, Freedom III, Lemondrop, Prelude III, Sundrops, Tivoli; Zucchini: Elite

Watermelon

• Plant: April 15-June 15

• Days to maturity: 80-90

Cultivars: Bush Sugar Baby, Charleston Gray, Crimson Sweet, AU Golden Producer (yellow meat)

Eggplant, peppers and tomatoes are warm-season crops that are closely related in growing habits and needs. Well-drained sandy loam or light clay soils are best. Add compost to the soil for organic matter. The soil pH should be between 6.0 – 6.5. Correct acid soils to avoid calcium deficiency problems that will cause blossom end rot.

Eggplant

• Plant: April 15-June 15

• Days to maturity: 65-85

• Cultivars: Black Beauty, Black Belle, Classic, Ghost Buster, Ichiban

Peppers

• Plant: April 15-June 15

• Days to maturity: 65-85

• Cultivars: Hot: Cayenne, Super Chili, Habanero, Hungarian Wax, Jalapeño; Sweet: Sweet Banana, Gypsy, King Arthur, Bell King, Purple Beauty, Golden Summer, Chocolate Beauty

Tomatoes

• Plant: April 15-June 15

• Days to maturity: 70-90

• Cultivars: Atkinson, Better Boy, Big Beef, Celebrity, Husky Gold, Monte Carlo, Small Fry, Sweet Chelsea (cherry)

Okra is in the same family as cotton and, like cotton, cannot tolerate severe drought. Soil pH should be between 6.0-6.5. Okra will top out by middle to late summer and will stop producing anything significant. Cutting back okra, leaving 6 to 8 inches of the plant above ground, will allow the plant to rejuvenate and produce a crop in the fall.

Okra

• Plant: April 15-June 15

• Days to maturity: 50-65

• Cultivars: Clemson Spineless, Emerald, Lee, Burgundy

The best soil for growing sweet potatoes is a well-drained, sandy loam or silt. The top soil should be at least 6 to 8 inches deep and the soil pH should be between 5.5-6.0.

Potatoes, sweet

• Plant: April 15-June 15

• Days to maturity: 90-120

• Cultivars: Beauregard, Georgia Red, Red Jewel

Plant vegetables in full sun receiving no less than 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Until next week, happy gardening.

— Irland, a member of the Limestone County Master Gardeners, can be reached at kippirland@hotmail.com. For more information on the Limestone County Master Gardeners, visit http://mg.aces.edu/limestone.