January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

General Care

April is a busy month for the gardener with lots of propagating, planting and sowing. Apply mulch to beds and borders as the ground warms up. Beware of late frosts on tender shoots. Plant your hanging baskets but keep them under cover in a greenhouse for a while.

Flower beds

Complete pruning your roses. Secure new growth with ties as necessary. Mulch rose beds. Remember April can be dry so remember to water any newly plants roses or other plants. Plant dahlias, lilies and herbaceous plants. Get ready to plant chrysanthemums. Prune buddleia, dogwoods and willow.  

Lawn

Mow as required, remember to aerate and apply spring fertiliser. Continue  to repair any winter damage, level the ground and re-seed where necessary. Moss may still be a problem. Remove weeds as they appear.

Pond

As the weather warms plant new water plants. Plant oxygenators as required. Make sure any debris is cleared from the water. Check your pumps and filters work. Remember tadpoles turn into frogs and these must have an exit path out of your pond or they will die.

Greenhouse

Keep the greenhouse ventilated. Remember the sun can be strong so protect new plants and seedlings by shading as required. Use canes to support your tomato plants as they grow. Water plants regularly, plant your cucumbers.

Vegetables

Sow cauliflowers, carrots and onions and other salad crops if you have not already done so. Plant out summer cabbages.

Indoors

Now is the time to give your plants a spring clean. Cacti need their first watering of the year. Propagate cuttings and use fertiliser on established plants.