Jobs around the Garden…
- Keep on top of weeding the borders and vegetable patch
- The lawn will be the next to need attention so start weekly trims and tidy up the edges with a half-moon edger. You could also feed your lawn now as long as the weather is frost free. April is a good time to turf or sow seed for a new lawn.
- Later in the month start hardening off summer bedding, hanging baskets and containers by bringing them out during the day and taking them in at night.
- Summer bulbs and tubers could be planted out as well as seeds of hardy annuals which will flower in-situ.
- As climbers really get started into growth, they will need to be tied into their supports to get the best display from them.
- Hedges will now need to be trimmed as well as fed, a mulch around their base would be beneficial as well.
- A general feed all around the garden will help your plants.
- Protect your plants from pests and diseases
Flowers to sow…
Seeds to start off indoors:
- Ageratums
- Marigolds
- Nasturtiums
- Petunias
- Salvias
- Scabiosa
- Zinnnias
To sow directly into the soil:
- Calendulas
- Sunflowers
- Wildflower Mix
Vegetables to grow…
Vegetables that still need protection:
- Courgettes
- Cucumbers
- Marrows
- Melons
- Squash/ Pumpkin
- French/ Runner Beans
- Sweetcorn
- Tomatoes
To sow outdoors:
- Beetroots
- Broad Beans
- Brussels Sprouts
- Broccoli
- Calabrese
- Cabbages
- Cauliflowers
- Salsify
- Scorzonera
Wildlife Gardening in April…
- Continue to put out food for birds but avoid chunky foods that could choke young fledglings
- Make sure the bird bath is well topped up with fresh water
- As well as bird nesting boxes why not try bat boxes and bee/pollinating insect homes
- Introduce plants that attract bees/pollinating insects
- Feed large aquatic plants, you can use an aquatic slow-release fertiliser tablet well below soil level around the base of the plant
- It’s natural for algae to grow in the spring, however if the problem continues for more than a few weeks consider adding more oxygenating plants into your pond to help clear the water
