The Month Ahead – Top Gardening Jobs for April
The Month Ahead – Top Gardening Jobs for April
Prepare Your Garden for Spring
April is a vibrant month for gardeners, as the warmth of spring rekindles the gardens with a burst of life and colour. It is a critical time for various gardening tasks, ensuring your garden flourishes throughout the upcoming months. Here are the top gardening jobs for April.
1. Pruning and Tidying
April is the perfect time to prune spring-flowering shrubs and trees after they have finished blooming. This includes Forsythia, Kerria, and flowering currants. It is also an excellent opportunity to tidy up borders and remove any dead foliage from perennials to make way for fresh growth.
2. Lawn Care
As the weather warms, your lawn will begin to grow more vigorously. April is the ideal month to mow the lawn regularly, ensuring it stays healthy and neat. It’s also a great time to apply a spring feed to nourish the grass and to treat any moss or weeds that have appeared over the winter. See our article on lawn care here
3. Sowing Seeds
With the ground warming up, April is the perfect month for sowing seeds. You can start sowing hardy annuals directly into the soil, such as sweet peas, cornflowers, and marigolds. It’s also an excellent time to sow vegetables like carrots, beetroot, and lettuce, ensuring a fruitful harvest later in the year.
4. Planting Bulbs
Planting summer-flowering bulbs in April ensures a colourful display in the upcoming months. Consider planting lilies, gladioli, and dahlias to add vibrant colours and stunning blooms to your garden.
5. Weeding
With the onset of spring, weeds can quickly take over your garden. Regular weeding in April is essential to keep your beds and borders looking neat and healthy. Use a hoe to remove weeds from the soil surface, taking care not to disturb the roots of your plants.
6. Feeding Plants
April is an important month for feeding your plants as they begin their new growth cycles. Apply a balanced fertilizer to shrubs, trees, and perennials to support strong and healthy growth. Additionally, feed your roses with a specialist rose feed to encourage abundant blooms.
7. Preparing Beds and Borders
Prepare your beds and borders for new plants by digging in plenty of organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure. This enhances soil structure, retains moisture, and provides essential nutrients for your plants.
8. Protecting Young Plants
In April, young plants and seedlings can be vulnerable to late frosts and pests. Use cloches or fleece to protect delicate plants from unexpected cold snaps. Additionally, keep an eye out for slugs and snails, which can damage tender growth. Use organic slug pellets or create barriers to safeguard your plants.
9. Planting Containers
April is a great time to refresh your containers with new plants. Choose colourful spring bedding plants like pansies, primroses, and violas to create eye-catching displays. Ensure your containers have good drainage and use fresh potting compost to give your plants the best start.
10. Watering
As temperatures rise, it is crucial to keep an eye on the moisture levels in your garden. Ensure that newly planted trees, shrubs, and flowers receive adequate water to establish strong root systems. However, be mindful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot and other issues.
Conclusion
April is a busy month for gardeners, brimming with essential tasks to prepare your garden for the flourishing spring and summer months. By focusing on these top gardening jobs, you can ensure a vibrant and healthy garden that brings joy and beauty throughout the year. Embrace the season’s energy and watch your garden transform into a stunning haven of growth and colour.
Article created using AI