Read by Matilda Longbottom
April is a celebration of all things Spring. The temperatures are warming up, and I’m not just talking about the air—soil temperatures are rising, too. With that, my hopes of digging in the dirt sooner rather than later are growing. I’m eager to see young plants poking up from the ground. At least I know I have tulips to look forward to this month! I explore the joy of these sturdy flowers in Watching Tulips Bloom.
GreenPrints is all in on Spring this April. Have you ever thought about planting based on the stars? Don Nicholas explores just that in Gardening by the Stars: A Celestial Guide to Planting in 2025. We also learn about the powerhouse advantages of an early Spring crop in Bill Dugan’s The Ruby-Stalked Treasure: Healthful Rhubarb?—don’t miss the seven ways rhubarb can elevate your health.
Our columnists never disappoint, and this month is no exception. Becky Rupp shares her Unconnected Thoughts on Gardening, where she offers insights into Thomas Jefferson as a gardener. I found myself chuckling along with The Yellowjackets Strike Back! by Mike McGrath—April may only just be here, but we all know yellowjackets will be out before we know it! Pat Stone reminds us that just because it’s Spring doesn’t mean warm temperatures are guaranteed. I’m sure we can all relate to his story Playing With Frost.
Our Stories from the Garden section keeps the laughs coming. Maria Ruiz fights to keep her plants safe in The Great Iguana Garden Showdown. It may not be iguanas, but I’m sure we’ve all struggled to keep our plants safe from predators at one time or another. In The Great Gardening Debacle, read all about Nancy Ryan’s trials and tribulations in attempting a showplace garden—I don’t think it turned into the therapy she was expecting!
We also have some truly touching stories this month. Ed Witman reflects on balance in his 50-year marriage in Gardening and Rowing: Metaphors for Marriage. His words resonated deeply with me: “So, consider this metaphor as you choose your spouse (and reflect on yourself) as you would a crewmate for a lifelong journey. And may you enjoy the race.” I Wanted the Spring for You by Gerry Peré is another moving piece. I was especially touched by the line, “Choose today to plant your life anew.”
This month’s Plants We Love features marigolds, butter lettuce, and cherry tomatoes. Will any of them have a place in your garden this year? I know I’ll be making room for them! We continue our focus on fresh produce as we take a journey far from home for our Asian Garden to Table Recipe Collection. Join us as we explore sushi, dumplings, miso soup, and more.
Check out the entire April 2025 issue, and let’s start getting our hands dirty. Enjoy the warmer days, and don’t forget to dance in the April rain showers!
I’d love to hear from you—what have you done to get your garden ready this year?
Christy Page
Executive Editor
GreenPrints
P.S. Please email Christy Page with your feedback. We look forward to hearing from you. Or just post your comments about this issue below, to share with the entire GreenPrints community.
