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Monthly gardening tips - April

Posted by editor on Apr 02, 2006 - 10:39 AM
Filed under: Articles, Garden tasks

APRIL GARDENING TIPS

GENERAL

Prepare any vacant beds and borders for sowing or planting. Knock the soil down into a fine tilth and rake it out.

Clear up any remaining debris from winter. Pay particular attention to pockets on the rock garden where fallen leaves may have accumulated.

Any plants that have not been cut back or have over-wintering growth remaining should be pruned or trimmed immediately.

LAWN

Regular mowing can take place now, the blades of the mower being set to their final height. There are now mower systems available which pulverise the lawn mowings and return them as a fine mulch to the turf. Alternatively the mowings should be boxed and removed.

POND

This is the ideal time to plant all aquatic plants, especially waterlilies and submerged aquatics.

Established marginal plants and waterlilies can be lifted, divided and replanted.

Start feeding the pond fish as they become active. Fish can also be introduced to a pond successfully while the weather remains cool.

When it is necessary to clean a pond out completely, do so now. Never clean a pond out unless there are compelling reasons to do so. For most pond owners this need only happen every five or six years.

FLOWERS

Keep the hoe moving amongst hardy perennials and spring flowering bedding plants. Seedling weeds quickly establish themselves at this time of the year.
Stake all plants in the herbaceous border that are going to require it. Plants are much more stable if they grow through their support. They also disguise it much better.

Plant summer flowering bulbs and corms, especially gladioli, sparaxis, ixia and tigridia.

Plant out sweet pea plants raised from an autumn sowing and provide them with appropriate support.

Ensure that self-clinging climbers are attaching themselves to their supports in an orderly fashion. Tie in non-clinging climbers as required.

Plant the rock garden. All alpine plants should be pot grown and will establish quickly if planted now and watered carefully during the coming two or three months.

VEGETABLES

Plant an asparagus bed. Select an all male variety of asparagus to ensure the strongest spears of growth.

Sow successional crops of cabbage, lettuce, carrots, spring onion and radish taking care over the selection of the most suitable varieties.

Tidy up the herb garden and replace any tired specimens. This is also a good time to start a herb garden using pot grown plants.

Plant maincrop potatoes and earth up any early varieties that have produced foliage. These should not be left exposed as they are vulnerable to frost damage.

FRUIT

Ensure that all soft fruits are kept weed-free, especially the strawberry bed.
Tie in the new shoots of any wall fruits as they start to grow and rub out any unwanted buds that start into growth.

GREENHOUSE

Plant greenhouse tomatoes, peppers, aubergines and cucumbers in growing bags.
Sow seeds of celery, celeriac and sweet corn along with courgette, marrow and ridge cucumber.

Start a regular feeding programme for all permanent house and greenhouse plants.
Prepare patio planters and hanging baskets, but retain in the greenhouse until towards the end of next month when the danger of frost has passed.

Begin to harden off the more advanced bedding plants using a cold frame.