Gardening tips for April

As spring settles in and gardens begin to burst with colour, April becomes one of the busiest and most exciting months in the gardening calendar. Warmer days, longer evenings, and fresh new growth make it the perfect time to get outside and start preparing your garden for the season ahead.

Seeds sown earlier in the year are beginning to grow, lawns get refreshed, and beds and borders are ready to be rejuvenated with new plants. With a little care and attention now, your garden will be set up beautifully for the months ahead.

While April can bring plenty of sunshine, the weather can still be unpredictable. Sudden cold snaps or late frosts can still occur, so it’s important to keep tender plants protected where necessary.

Our gardening expert’s top tip:

Warm spring days can make it feel like summer is just around the corner, but frost can still appear early in the month. Hold off planting tender bedding plants outside until the risk of frost has passed, and keep young plants protected in a greenhouse or growhouse where possible.

What can I do in my garden in April?

April is a fantastic month for getting your garden back into shape after winter. There are plenty of simple tasks that will make a big difference as the growing season gets underway.

·      Start by giving your lawn its first proper cut of the year if you haven’t already. Keep the mower blades set higher for the first few cuts to avoid stressing the grass.

·      If your lawn is looking a little tired after winter, consider feeding it with a spring lawn feed to encourage fresh green growth. You can also scarify your lawn using a spring-tine rake to remove moss and dead grass.

·      Now is also a great time to re-seed bare patches in your lawn or even lay new turf if you’re planning a garden refresh.

·      In beds and borders, remove weeds and lightly fork the soil to improve aeration. Adding mulch or compost will help improve soil health and provide nutrients for plants as they begin to grow.

·      You can also prune certain shrubs and tidy up any plants that have finished flowering earlier in the year. Supporting new growth with plant stakes or supports will help keep stems upright as plants develop.

Flowers to plant this month

April is an ideal time to start adding fresh colour to your garden with flowers that will bloom throughout the warmer months.

·      Hardy annuals such as marigolds, cornflowers, and nasturtiums can be sown directly into borders once the soil begins to warm.

·      Sweet peas are another favourite for April planting. If you started them earlier indoors, they can now be planted outside and trained up supports like bamboo canes.

·      You can also sow seeds for popular summer flowers including:

o  Cosmos

o  Sunflowers

o  Petunias

o  Lavender

·      In containers, refresh winter displays by replacing spent bedding plants with colourful spring favourites such as pansies and violas.

·      April is also a great time to plant shrubs and small trees that will add structure to your garden. Japanese maples, also known as acers, are particularly beautiful this time of year with their delicate leaves and striking colours.

If you’re planning hanging baskets for summer, you can begin planting them towards the end of the month. Keep them sheltered until

What fruit and veg can I grow in April?

April is a busy month for anyone growing their own fruit and vegetables, as many vegetable seeds can now be sown directly into prepared garden beds. Root vegetables such as carrots and parsnips are particularly well suited to April planting.

·      Other vegetables that can be sown this month include:

o  Beetroot

o  Onions and shallots

o  Broad beans

o  Early peas

o  Leeks

o  Cauliflower

o  Salad leaves

·      If you haven’t already done so, plant your seed potatoes once their shoots are a few centimetres long. Potatoes can be grown in garden beds, containers, or potato grow bags.

·      Soft fruit plants such as raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and blackcurrants can also be planted now.

·      For those with limited outdoor space, many crops like tomatoes, chillies, and herbs can be grown in containers or on sunny windowsills.

Indoor gardening in April

If the weather turns wet or chilly, there are still plenty of gardening jobs you can do indoors.

·      Young plug plants and seedlings may now need to be pricked out and moved into larger pots as they grow. This process helps give plants more room to develop strong roots.

·      You can also continue sowing seeds in propagators or greenhouses to get a head start on summer flowers and vegetables.

·      Indoor plants are another wonderful way to enjoy greenery if outdoor gardening isn’t possible. Houseplants can brighten your home while still allowing you to enjoy the relaxing benefits of gardening. If you started growing yours earlier this year, then you can start planting them out to bigger pots now as they start to bloom.

April is all about preparing your garden for the exciting growing season ahead. By taking care of tasks like lawn maintenance, seed sowing, and planting flowers now, you’ll create the perfect foundation for a colourful and productive garden.

If you’re looking for plants, seeds, tools, or advice, pop into your local Dobbies where our Green Team will be happy to help. With the right preparation this month, your garden will soon be thriving as spring continues to unfold.