April jobs for the garden

It’s a go to sow & grow

April is a month for sowing and growing! The warmer weather and longer days ensure there is plenty of time to spend in the garden to get those new crops underway.

Whether you are pottering away in the greenhouse or outside, hardy seeds that are starting to push through can be planted out to grow in the heat of the spring sun.

However, we cannot let our guard down too soon. April is prone to late frosts which will damage tender shoots and blossom, and let’s not forget those infamous April showers.

It is a busy month in the garden, so let’s get cracking!

Time to bloom

• One of the first jobs this month is to clear beds of any old winter blooms and deadhead early spring flowers once they start to fade.
• Finish cutting back those ornamental grasses and as ferns start to unfurl, prune wayward fronds.
• Trim winter flowering heathers.
• Plant pots and containers with an array of colourful spring flowers.
• Plant evergreen shrubs such as lavender and camellias.
• Sow hardy annuals – marigolds, sunflowers and poppies add vibrant colour.
• Add instant colour to borders with an array of flowering plants already in bloom. Primroses, cosmos or pansies are just a few to choose from.
• Start to think about summer hanging baskets. Variety is the spice of life and makes baskets interesting! Add strawberries or tomatoes amongst the flowers and evergreens for something a little different.
• Protect new shoots from slugs and snails with Slug Gone. Lupins and hostas are particular favourites, so be vigilant!
• Plant out sweet peas. Take a look at the ‘Growing the best sweet peas’ blog for more tips.
• Check all new plants and saplings for aphids and remove. Spray Organic Plant Guard on blooms to prevent laying of eggs and further infestations.
• Continue to weed borders and sprinkle Vitax Q4 around plants and gently hoe in.
• Plant lily bulbs in pots.
• As the weather warms, ensure houseplants are not in areas where the temperature will fluctuate too much.
• Feed houseplants as they start to grow and bloom. There are a range of feeds to choose from, but take a look at the ‘Caring for houseplants’ blog for guidance.

Sow & Grow
March sowing seamlessly follows into April as the sowing and growing season starts to gain momentum. Before you start, take a look at the ‘Getting the best from your vegetables’ blog for quick tips.

• Continue to direct sow onions, shallots and garlic sets.
• Sow early-second and main crop potatoes.
• Sow runner beans, pumpkins, cucumbers and courgettes in pots.
• If you are new to sowing crops, beetroot, carrots and turnips are easy to grow and can be planted direct.
• Sow early peas and plant bare root asparagus crowns.
• Place cabbage collars around brassicas to prevent cabbage root fly.
• Sow seeds in pots that need longer growing time such as chillies and aubergines.
• Love tomatoes? There are plenty to choose from and take time to grow. The ‘Growing the tastiest tomatoes’ blog is a good place to start if tomatoes are in your plans this year.
• Sow fast growing crops such as radish and salad leaves. Continue to sow to ensure a regular supply.
• Top dress soft fruits with a good all-round, slow-release fertiliser such as Vitax Q4.
• Sow soft fruits in the ground or pots.
• Protect fruit blossom from late frosts with fleece.

Other jobs in the garden

• Clean the glass in the greenhouse with Greenhouse Disinfectant to ensure enough light is getting through.
• Now is the time to get the lawn in tip top condition following the harsh winter. Apply Vitax Feed & Weed to treat weeds and maintain a healthy turf.
• If your lawn contains a lot of moss, try Vitax Moss Remover, No Rake. It will remove moss without scorching or blackening, plus there is no need to rake!
• As the growing season gets going, the list of jobs gets longer! This month’s blog is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what needs to be done in the garden. Making a list of what needs doing this month and what can be carried over to May, is a great way of ensuring only the jobs you need to do this month will get done.

For everyone celebrating Easter, we hope you have a great break and fingers-crossed for some warm, bank holiday weather