Tips for the garden - April

As we know, gardening is weather dependent and whilst April is known for its showers, this month has started with less-than-ideal gardening conditions.

The promise of warm weather ahead, is just what we need as we continue to deal with torrential rain, storms and floods. April is a month to sow and grow, but if the ground is still soddened underfoot, the growing season will adapt and may be pushed back a few weeks.

There is still a lot to do both indoors and outdoors. The days are definitely getting longer, so plenty of time to get all those seeds sown, ground prepped and maintenance jobs completed.

Blooming spring

• Add instant colour to the garden by adding border plants. There is plenty of choice and garden centres and nurseries are brimming with a range of colours that will match your garden plans.
• Sow hardy annuals.
• Create your own wildflower garden. Allocate a space in the garden, sow seeds and enjoy the wildlife and insects this section of the garden will attract.
• Continue to deadhead spring flowers as they fade. 
• Prune hydrangeas and any last pruning of roses before they start to bud.
• Plant summer flowering bulbs. 
• Start planning and sowing for a continuous crop of flowers for cutting. Take a look at our ‘Growing Flowers for Cutting’ blog for handy tips to keep flowers growing into late summer.
• Plant vibrant flowers such as poppies and cosmos.
• Sweet peas can be planted outside towards the end of the month when the soil starts to warm. Add Vitax Q4 to the soil and place the roots on top to give an added boost when planting out.
• Start to plan those hanging baskets. Fruit such as strawberry plants and tomatoes can be added for variety and helps keep the slugs and snails at bay!
• Houseplants will need extra attention during the warmer months. Start to increase watering and look at adding a feed to encourage growth.
• Many houseplants require different nutrients. Orchids, bonsai and cacti will benefit from a specialised feed. 
• Ferns are good cover plants. As they start to grow, cut back any stray fronds to allow others to unfurl.

The crop plot

• Soil preparation is the key to bumper crops and getting the best from your vegetables. 6X Pelleted Poultry Manure is ideal for improving the soils structure and adding natural nutrients, but take a look at our blog for more tips. 
• It’s time to sow and grow. Start with planting second-early and main crop potatoes.
• Sow tender crops in the greenhouse – courgettes, cucumbers and beans are just a few to start with.
• Plant bare root asparagus crowns.
• Plant hardier root vegetables such as carrots and turnips. Leeks, beetroot and early peas can also be sown.
• Place cabbage collars around the base of brassicas to prevent pests laying eggs.
• Plant strawberries and fruit canes.
• Protect early blossom on fruit trees from late frosts with fleece.

Pesky pests and general maintenance

• As the crops and flowers grow, so do the weeds. Keep on top by regularly weeding borders and around crops.
• Aphids multiply rapidly in the warmer months. Be vigilant and remove as soon as they arrive.
• New shoots are the ideal munching ground for slugs and snails. Apply Slug Gone around the base of plants to protect plants and crops.
• If plants start to wilt, this could be a sign of vine weevils especially if white larvae are present.
• Look out for black spot on roses.
• Start to remove winter bedding plants that have faded and plants that did not survive the winter.
• Start to re-seed bare patches of lawn.
• Remove weeds and moss from lawns. Vitax Moss Remover No Rake is easy to use and will also feed the lawn for around 12 weeks.
• Continue to hoe borders – it also helps with the weeding.

Plenty of sowing and growing will take place in April, but there is no need to rush it through. If you have prepared over autumn and winter, then you’re ready to go. If you’re just starting out, don’t worry as there is still plenty of time to get the garden in shipshape.