Jobs in the Garden: April 2024
12th Apr 2024
As April arrives in the UK, the garden bursts into life with the promise of warmer days ahead. Here are some essential tasks to keep your garden thriving this month:
- Prepare the Soil: April is the perfect time to prepare your garden beds by digging in compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil and improve drainage.
- Plant Spring Flowers: Take advantage of the warmer weather to plant spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths for a colorful display next year.
- Sow Seeds: Start sowing seeds for summer vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and courgettes indoors or in a greenhouse for transplanting later in the season.
- Prune Shrubs and Trees: Prune spring-flowering shrubs such as forsythia and flowering currant after they have finished blooming to maintain their shape and encourage healthy growth.
- Weed Control: Keep on top of weeds by regularly hoeing or hand-weeding beds and borders to prevent them from competing with your plants for nutrients and water.
- Mulch Beds: Apply a layer of organic mulch such as compost or bark chips around plants to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and improve soil structure.
- Lawn Care: Mow the lawn regularly, gradually lowering the cutting height as the weather warms up. Apply a spring lawn feed to encourage healthy growth and lush green grass.
- Pest and Disease Control: Keep an eye out for early signs of pests and diseases and take appropriate action to prevent them from spreading. Consider using natural or organic methods where possible.
- Divide Perennials: Divide overcrowded clumps of herbaceous perennials such as hostas and daylilies to rejuvenate them and promote better flowering.
- Watering: As the weather becomes warmer and drier, be sure to water newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials regularly to help them establish strong root systems.
By staying on top of these essential gardening tasks in April, you can ensure your garden is in prime condition for the growing season ahead. With a little care and attention, you'll be rewarded with a beautiful and bountiful garden to enjoy throughout the spring and summer months.
