April Gardening Tips & Advice

April is a good time to apply a spring fertilizer t the lawn, this can be combined with a weed and moss killer if required. If a moss killer is used leave 2 weeks raking out the dead moss.

Hardy annuals can now be sown in prepared beds outside.

Cut away the flowering heads on Rhubarb to ensure all the energy goes into stems and leaves.

Stake any tall plants in the herbaceous border, staking now will allow the plants to grow through the support make the plants look more natural than trying to tie them up after they have flopped over.

Hanging baskets can be planted up now to help the plants establish before putting them out when the risk of frost has pas Netting placed over ponds in autumn and winter to keep out falling leaves can be removed now to allow marginal plants to grow without getting entangled in the netting.

Prune Roses if not already done, then feed with a Rose  fertilizer and mulch well to give them the best possible start to the new season.

Tender fruit such as Tomatoes, peppers and cucumber can be sown inside now ready for planting at the end of May.

Penstemons can be trimmed back to the new shoots near the base to maintain a compact bushy plant.

If not already done weed, feed and mulch borders now, a good thick mulch saves weeding and helps retain moisture in summer.

Seeds of many vegetables such as Celery, Brassicas, Dwarf and Runner beans can be own inside now ready for planting out in May.

Hanging baskets can be planted up now; these will be ready to hang up in May when the risk of frost has passed.

March is the last chance to move any deciduous trees and shrubs before they come into growth.

March is a good time to repot any pot bound plants to give them a good start to the new season.

Summer flowering bulbs such as Lilies, Gladioli and Crocosmia can be planted now.

Hoe and remove weeds as soon as they are seen, weeds are much more easily controlled when young.

Now is a good time to plant many herbaceous perennials, established clumps can also be lifted and separated to improve vigour and flowering.