The days are getting longer, the daffodils are
out at last and summer’s on the way. So dodge those April showers and get back
out in the garden
Deadheading tired daffodils, tulips and narcissi doesn’t just make for a prettier garden. Removing wilted flowers also gives the plants a boost, allowing them to focus all their efforts on new buds. It’ll also stop the garden being showered with confetti the minute there’s a bit of a breeze.
Give weeds the heave-ho
Just like the rest of the garden, come April, weeds start waking up again. Hoe beds and borders, pulling up unwanted invaders by the roots, then apply weedkiller if you need to, being careful not to hurt the tender new shoots of the plants you want to keep.
Just like the rest of the garden, come April, weeds start waking up again. Hoe beds and borders, pulling up unwanted invaders by the roots, then apply weedkiller if you need to, being careful not to hurt the tender new shoots of the plants you want to keep.
So long, snails
By April, the garden’s shaping up to be a real feast for slugs and snails, with delicious young shoots popping up at every turn. Use pet-friendly pellets or liquid to see them off, or place a few flat stones in trouble spots to give hungry birds a handy landing spot.
By April, the garden’s shaping up to be a real feast for slugs and snails, with delicious young shoots popping up at every turn. Use pet-friendly pellets or liquid to see them off, or place a few flat stones in trouble spots to give hungry birds a handy landing spot.
Feed and mulch
Before the foliage fills out, give beds and borders a feed by digging in some general-purpose fertiliser and adding a layer of mulch, being careful not to damage any young shoots.
Before the foliage fills out, give beds and borders a feed by digging in some general-purpose fertiliser and adding a layer of mulch, being careful not to damage any young shoots.
Beware late frosts
It might be tempting to start planting out your lovingly tended seedlings but there’s still a high chance of a bitter frost at this time of year, however bright the sun might be. If you've got fruit trees or bushes, use fleece or cloches to protect blossom and early crops on the coldest nights.
It might be tempting to start planting out your lovingly tended seedlings but there’s still a high chance of a bitter frost at this time of year, however bright the sun might be. If you've got fruit trees or bushes, use fleece or cloches to protect blossom and early crops on the coldest nights.
Be on water watch
With the sun out and the showers (hopefully) drying up towards the end of April, containers and house plants start to get thirsty, so have a watering can to hand and head out on dry evenings to give them a drink.
With the sun out and the showers (hopefully) drying up towards the end of April, containers and house plants start to get thirsty, so have a watering can to hand and head out on dry evenings to give them a drink.
Get out and enjoy it
The weather’s warming up at last, so make sure you don’t miss a minute of the late spring sunshine. Dust off the deckchairs and roll out the barbecue and make sure everything's set for summer, then sit back, relax and marvel at the revival of the garden.
The weather’s warming up at last, so make sure you don’t miss a minute of the late spring sunshine. Dust off the deckchairs and roll out the barbecue and make sure everything's set for summer, then sit back, relax and marvel at the revival of the garden.
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