April 2, 2024
April is a busy and exciting month for gardeners in the UK as it marks the beginning of the growing season. Here are ten key tasks to keep your garden thriving:
- Plant Early Vegetables: Sow seeds of early vegetables like carrots, lettuce, radishes, and peas directly into the ground. Plant potatoes and onion sets as well.
- Prune Shrubs and Trees: Finish pruning shrubs and trees before they start new growth. This includes early flowering shrubs like forsythia after they have bloomed.
- Prepare Flower Beds: Clear away any remaining dead plant material and weeds. Add compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil.
- Sow Hardy Annuals: Sow hardy annual flowers like marigolds, poppies, and cornflowers directly into the soil.
- Plant Summer-Flowering Bulbs: Plant summer-flowering bulbs such as lilies, gladioli, and dahlias.
- Divide Perennials: Divide and replant overgrown perennials to rejuvenate them and fill out your garden.
- Mow the Lawn: Start mowing your lawn regularly as the grass begins to grow. Set the mower blades higher for the first few cuts.
- Protect from Frost: Keep an eye on the weather and protect tender plants from late frosts with cloches, fleece, or bring them indoors.
- Feed and Mulch: Apply a balanced fertilizer to your beds and borders, and mulch around plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
- Start Warm-Season Crops: Start warm-season crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers indoors or in a greenhouse to give them a head start before planting out in late May or June.
By focusing on these tasks, you'll set up your garden for a productive and beautiful growing season.