Gardening jobs for April

Sow, grow and mow

Spring is finally here and it’s full steam ahead in the garden.

A month of new beginnings, April is a time when we say goodbye to those late ground frosts and hello to dewy, crisp mornings – perfect to sow, grow and mow!

There is always a risk of April showers, but as long as these are short and sweet, it will help saplings take root and seeds to grow. 

We’ll see the garden burst to life this month and whilst there is still preparation to be done, we can start to enjoy some of the work put in over autumn and winter.  There is a real buzz about April as we start to see bugs and bees return with abundance to help in the garden as only they can. 

However, there is a need to remain vigilant. With the return of garden insects that help the growing cycle, we will see a rise in the number of garden pests -  and we’re not just talking aphids and slugs!

Sow, sow, sow

• Where to begin! If you have been growing from seed over the colder months, now is a good time to be planting out young shoots.  As they will already have a root system, add Q4 Rootmore to the bottom of the planting hole to help create a healthy bioactive root zone for robust growth.
• It’s time to get those seed packets out that you ordered! As the soil warms, vegetable seed can start to be planted direct into the ground. Always follow the pack instructions. If the seeds are large, make sure you place at the correct depth and distance. If the seeds are smaller, take a pinch of seed and spread evenly.
• There is plenty to grow now. Beetroot, peas, shallots, pickling onions etc can all be sown outdoors.
• If you are feeling adventurous, try something new such as swiss chard or salsify.
• As fruit trees and shrubs start to blossom cover with fleece to protect against both frost and birds.
• If you have protected your fruit trees over winter, then you will hopefully have good crops free of bugs, but check tree bands to stop crawling bugs as they awaken from their slumber.  
• Citrus plants can now start to be moved to the greenhouse as the weather warms towards the end of the month in preparation for moving outside once summer hits. 
• Citrus are hungry plants and need feeding regularly, ideally use a specialist feed such as Vitax Summer Citrus Feed.
• Soft fruits such as blackcurrants, blueberries and raspberries can now all be planted. Strawberries that have been growing in the greenhouse can now be planted out. Hanging baskets make great strawberry planters!
• And, with all new plants and saplings – feed, feed, feed! Choosing the right fertiliser will help growing success. Liquid, soluble, granular, specialist – there are so many to choose from, but take a look at ‘Choosing the right fertiliser’ blog for some guidance. 

Blooming spring

• Spring is a great time to get little ones involved in gardening.  Plant sunflowers to see how tall they grow and help them measure on a regular basis. Sunflowers also add great height and colour to the garden too.
• There are plenty of flowers that can be planted that will bring vibrant colour and energy to any garden. Nasturtiums, cornflowers, pansies and calendula to name just a few.
• Less hardy plants can now be moved to the garden. Cosmos, marigolds etc can still withstand late ground frosts.
• Pull up winter bedding that has come to an end and replace with spring bedding.
• Continue to deadhead early spring flowers such as daffodils and tulips.
• Refresh hanging baskets and start preparation for summer baskets, pots and containers.
• Buxus plants are perfect for pots that can easily be moved around the patio and garden. They can grow quite tall depending on the variety, so ensure your pot has plenty of growing room and use Buxus Feed to get it off to a great start.
• Similar to fruit and vegetables, flowers and shrubs need regular feeding to promote healthy growth. There are many specialist feeds on the market depending on which plants you choose to grow. Or, use a good all-round, multipurpose fertiliser such as Vitax Q4 All Purpose Plant Food.

Lawns

• Autumn and winter can take its toll on grassed areas, even if it has been left untouched and untrodden. The warm weather will highlight any damage and bare patches, which need to be repaired and re-seeded.
• A good feed can help to restore colour and prepare it for the stress of the summer months. Apply Organic Lawn Feed to give your grass an early boost.
• If the lawn is full of weeds and dandelions, apply a weedkiller such Vitax Lawn Clear, but make sure you carefully read the instructions prior to application.
• Lawns can now be mowed, but raise your lawn mower to its highest setting for the first few cuts to enable to grass to recover.
• Prior to feeding or treating, scarify the lawn to remove loose moss and winter debris.

Pesky pests

• Pests take all shapes and forms. Let’s start with the slimy gastropods, they like nothing more than to munch on new shoots. Protect with a good deterrent such as Slug Gone.   
• Birds can also be pesky when seeds are freshly sown or new shoots come through. Cover areas with net or fleece to protect.
• We all love rabbits, but they too love new shoots. Try Stay Off Rabbit Repellent to deter them from your crops and flowers.
• Cats can also play havoc too! Freshly hoed soil which is soft is extremely inviting. Deter them with Stay Off Animal Repellent.
• Weeds! Stay on top and remove on a regular basis as once they start to spread it will be difficult to maintain.
• Last, but not least – aphids. Keep a close eye on crops as they start to flourish in the warmth. During winter it was easy to remove the handful that braved the cold weather, but as the heat rises, so will their numbers. There are plenty of solutions, but try Organic Plant Guard.

There is so much to do, but don’t feel overwhelmed, the garden is there to enjoy! It will be busy over the coming months, sometimes it will be too hot to garden and sometimes lots of jobs will get completed very quickly. 

Whether you have planned your garden or letting nature takes its course – spring is here and we cannot wait to see what the next few months has in store.