How lovely that the end of March gave us some settled and sunny weather and we head into April with a great sunny start, with lots of fresh growth and early spring colour coming through, with the promise of more to come. With the clocks moving forward the days are noticeably brighter and longer, the soil is warmer and plants are waking from their winter dormancy though there will still be some frosts so be aware! It’s a busy and exciting time for us gardeners as the growing season begins to pick up pace. Here’s a look at some key tasks to tackle in the garden this month.
General Garden Tidy-Up
After winter, gardens often need a bit of a refresh. If you couldn’t get around to it in March, early April is definitely the time to make some time to get it done.
- Clear away any remaining fallen leaves and debris from borders and flower beds.
- Mulch around shrubs and perennials with compost, well-rotted manure, or bark to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Apply a slow-release fertiliser to encourage healthy growth. Plants such as rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, and pieris benefit from an ericaceous fertiliser, as they prefer acidic soil conditions.
- Clean tools. Wipe them down, remove soil and debris, disinfect and allow them to dry completely. Then they’ll be ready for action again when spring arrives.
Spring Bulbs in Bloom
April is a joyous month for spring-flowering bulbs, which bring life and vibrancy to gardens after the gloomy winter months. Some of the most common bulbs you’ll see in full bloom include:
- Daffodils – These iconic yellow trumpets brighten up any space.
- Tulips – Later in March and early April, tulips begin to open, providing a spectacular array of colours.
- Crocuses – Small but striking, crocuses bring an early splash of purple, yellow, and white to gardens and lawns.
- Hyacinths – Not only are these stunningly colourful, but they also fill the air with their lovely fragrance.
Plant Hardy Plants
Early April is one of the best times to plant a variety of hardy plants that will establish well before the warmer months.
- Trees and Shrubs – Now is the time to plant new trees and shrubs while they are still dormant, giving them time to settle before they put on fresh growth.
- Perennials – These can be planted now, whether you’re adding new varieties to your borders or dividing existing clumps to rejuvenate them.
- Roses – Bare-root roses should be planted before they start into active growth.
- Climbers – March is ideal for planting climbers such as clematis and honeysuckle, giving them time to establish ahead of the growing season.
Prune for Better Growth
April is an essential month for pruning, particularly for roses.
- Established Roses – Prune bush roses now, cutting back to an outward-facing bud to encourage healthy, open growth.
- Avoid pruning rambling roses – These flower on last year’s wood, so cutting now will mean losing this year’s blooms.
- Secateurs Care – Keep your secateurs sharp and clean to prevent disease spread between plants.
Lawn Care
As the weather improves and the grass starts growing again, it may be time for the first mow of the year.
- Set the mower blades high to avoid scalping the lawn and damaging new growth.
- Scarify the lawn to remove moss and thatch, improving air circulation and allowing better water absorption.
- Aerate compacted lawns by spiking them with a garden fork or using a hollow tine aerator.
- If your lawn is looking tired lay new turf or sow a new lawn from seed.
Get Ready for Sowing
Propagation season is just around the corner, so now is the time to stock up on essentials. Make sure you have a good supply of seed compost, modular trays, and labels for easy organisation. Give your propagation equipment – including pots, seed trays, and propagators – a thorough clean with warm soapy water to remove any lingering pests or diseases.
Vegetable Planting – Get Growing
Early April is an excellent time to get ahead with growing vegetables.
- Onion Sets & Shallots – These can be planted directly into prepared beds.
- Seed Potatoes – Chit your seed potatoes by placing them in a cool, light spot indoors to encourage strong shoots before planting in a few weeks.
- Early Sowings – Hardy vegetable seeds like broad beans, spinach, and peas can be sown outdoors as long as the soil isn’t too wet or cold.
- Tomatoes and Peppers – Starting tomatoes and peppers indoors will give them a head start before transplanting them outside when it’s warmer.
Feed the Soil
A generous mulch of homemade compost or well-rotted manure will nourish your borders and vegetable beds, improving soil structure and fertility before spring planting begins.
Watering
While April showers are common, it’s important to monitor soil moisture, especially for newly planted specimens. Ensure they receive adequate water to establish strong root systems.
