Essential gardening jobs in April: What you need to plant now
Gardening in April: It's spring and things are really hotting up in the garden. Continue all the good work you did in March and finish off leftover jobs this month, with sowing, planting, and weeding all well underway.
April plant maintenance: prune and tidy
Deadhead spring bulbs like narcissi and tulips as their flowers fade, but leave behind some foliage to die back naturally as this will feed the bulb next spring.
Some people say it's best to cut lavender back in autumn, but April is a better option, especially if you live in a frost-prone area. If you prune in autumn, all the new cuts you make will be exposed and open to infection through winter, but prune now and the plant can start growing quickly. Just turn a blind eye to the dead stems during the winter months. Lavenders are notorious for getting straggly and leggy and the best way to avoid that is to give them a really hard prune.
Tip: Look for the lowest little bud on each stem that's about to sprout and cut just above it.
Summer-flowering plants
'Clear and prepare flowerbeds ready for planting out annuals,' says Sarah Raven. You can direct sow annuals such as nigella, cosmos and Californian poppies (they're great for filling in any gaps). These 'throw and sow' seeds couldn't be easier – just ensure that, as far as possible, the ground is clear of weeds, well-fed and raked, and then sprinkle the seeds on the surface. They should germinate in a matter of days.
Nigella damascena 'Moody Blues' - SeedsLove-In-A-Mist
Cosmos bipinnatus 'Sensation Mixed' - Seeds
Californian Poppy Single Mixed
For a dazzling summer display, plant summer-flowering bulbs such as lilies, gladioli, freesias, crocosmia, and acidanthera in early April. 'When planting lily bulbs in heavy soil, add grit to improve drainage and help them establish,' advises Sarah. 'It is also a good time to lift and divide summer-flowering perennials; this will encourage healthier growth and vibrant blooms.'
Sow perennials such as hollyhocks, delphiniums, and echinaceas.
April garden favourites
There are some plants that are just a must in the garden. Sarah talks through three favourites perfect to get planting this April.
Dahlias
'Pot dahlia tubers under cover now to get a head start on summer flowers. I’d recommend planting them out in the ground in May, as they will be more established plants and less vulnerable to slugs. Remember, dahlias are cut-and-come-again, so the more you pick, the more flowers you get,' Sarah explains.
Roses
'Plant bare root roses now to establish strong, healthy plants come summer,' continues Sarah. If the ground is still a little frosty, pot them up first before planting out. Tip: For climbing roses, tie the stems down horizontally to encourage more flowers along the length of the stem.
Sweet peas
'Sweet peas are an absolute favourite of mine come summer,' reveals Sarah. 'I recommend planting them with a generous layer of manure at the base, as this will support strong growth. Tie their stems in regularly; every 10 days is a good amount to encourage straight flower stems and an abundance of blooms.'
Fruit and vegetables to grow
It's time to get your vegetable garden started. April is the month to start off most sowings – salad leaves, chard, broad beans, beetroot, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbages, carrots, leeks, parsnip, peas and spinach. Also plant out seed potatoes and raspberry and blackberry canes.
There's still time to put strawberries and asparagus into permanent beds. Now is also the ideal month to plant globe and Jerusalem artichokes.
'Later in the season, consider adding pumpkins, squash, and sweetcorn to your sowing list,' suggests Sarah. 'To ensure you have a steady harvest of fresh produce throughout summer, continue successional sowing at regular intervals.'
Don't forget to put in a few sunflower seeds – they'll brighten up your veg patch and can fit in the smallest space.
brussels sprout 'Maximus' F1
Broccoli Seeds - F1 Stromboli
Leek seeds
Raspberry canes
Blackberry canes
Strawberry plant
Artichoke 'Green Globe'
Aubergine seeds
Weeds and mulching
Weeds will start to appear in beds and borders with the warming temperatures. The easiest way to control them is to use a hoe, applying a thick layer of mulch over the surface to help keep any further weeds at bay. Mulching with organic matter such as farmyard manure also locks in moisture and over time helps to improve the soil, whilst also giving plants a well-needed boost.
Lawns
Scarify lawns with a wire-tine rake to remove old thatch and debris starving the lawn of light and air. Sow new lawns or repair bare patches from April, if weather allows, on ground that has been pre-prepared, levelled and firmed. If you are laying new turf, leave undisturbed for a few weeks to allow time for new roots to establish.
If you haven't already, get the lawnmower out and cut your grass for the first time this year. Cut grass with the lawn mower blades set high for the first few times, then use a good lawn feed to help your lawn look its best. Continue to tidy lawn edges using a half-moon edging iron and lawn edging shears.
Quick garden jobs for April
• 'If you're not growing bedding plants from seed, plug-grown varieties are an excellent alternative. Pot them into 8cm (3in) containers or use them to fill hanging baskets and wall pots. Keep them in a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory until they're ready to be moved outdoors,' says Nick Hamilton at Barnsdale Gardens.
• Cottage garden plants will grow quickly in warming soils – plant these in groups of three to make more impact.
• You should also place plant supports around herbaceous plants that are bursting into growth. Doing so early will avoid any plant damage.
• To encourage wildlife, scatter easy-to-grow wildflower mixes around your garden for a meadow feel.
• To prevent black rose and stay ahead of this common fungal disease, begin spraying as soon as new leaves emerge. 'At Barnsdale, we use an organic mixture of skimmed milk and water (10:1 ratio) to create a protective barrier. Since this method is preventive rather than curative, reapply after rain to maintain effectiveness,' adds Nick.
• Install a water butt to harvest the rainwater from your roof. It's a great investment for the season ahead. Most plants prefer rainwater so collect it if you can to make your plants happy.
• 'Bird feeders normally take about two to four weeks to become inhabited by birds and can make a lovely feature in the garden,' say the experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk. 'Get set up now for lots of summer visits from feathered friends.'
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