Essential Gardening Jobs for April in the U

April is a busy and exciting month in the garden. With longer days and warmer temperatures, plants are bursting into life, and there’s plenty to do to keep everything in top shape. Whether you're tending to flowers, vegetables, or your lawn, now is the perfect time to get stuck in. Here’s a rundown of the key gardening jobs for April.

1. Prepare Beds and Borders

Winter can leave flower beds and borders looking a little tired, so now is the time for a good tidy-up:

Remove weeds before they take hold.
Dig in compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil structure.
Mulch around perennials to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

2. Sow and Plant Flowers

April is the perfect month for sowing hardy and half-hardy annuals:

Direct sow hardy annuals like poppies, cornflowers, and marigolds.
Start half-hardy annuals (such as cosmos and zinnias) indoors or in a greenhouse.
Plant summer bulbs like lilies, gladioli, and dahlias for a stunning summer display.

3. Look After Your Lawn

With milder weather, the lawn will start growing quickly, so regular maintenance is key:

Mow the lawn on a higher setting for the first few cuts.
Scarify to remove moss and thatch buildup.
Aerate compacted areas with a garden fork.
Feed with a spring lawn fertiliser to encourage healthy growth.

4. Plant Vegetables for Summer Harvests

April is a crucial month for vegetable growing. You can sow or plant the following:

Direct sow: carrots, beetroot, lettuce, radish, peas, and spinach.
Plant out: early potatoes and onion sets.
Start indoors: tomatoes, courgettes, pumpkins, and peppers if you haven’t already.

5. Support Climbing Plants

Many climbers will begin their rapid growth in April:

Install trellises or supports for clematis, honeysuckle, and climbing roses.
Tie in new shoots to encourage growth in the right direction.

6. Prune and Deadhead

Spring-flowering shrubs (like forsythia) should be pruned after flowering.
Remove dead flower heads from daffodils and tulips but leave the foliage to die back naturally.
Cut back leggy growth on fuchsias and hydrangeas.

7. Pest and Disease Watch

With warmer temperatures come unwanted pests:

Keep an eye out for aphids on new shoots—squash them by hand or use an organic spray.
Slugs and snails will be out in force—use beer traps, copper tape, or wildlife-friendly pellets to control them.
Check plants for fungal diseases such as rust and mildew. Improve airflow by spacing plants correctly.

8. Greenhouse and Indoor Care

Keep an eye on greenhouse temperatures—ventilate on warmer days.
Harden off tender plants by gradually acclimatising them to outdoor conditions.
Pot up seedlings and keep them well-watered.

9. Feed and Water Wisely

April showers help, but dry spells can still occur. Water newly planted seedlings in dry weather, and feed fruit trees and shrubs with a balanced fertiliser to encourage strong growth.

10. Enjoy Your Garden!

April is a fantastic month to enjoy the sights and sounds of spring. Take time to appreciate the new blooms, watch wildlife return, and plan for a productive and beautiful garden in the months ahead.

With these key tasks completed, your garden will be well on its way to thriving throughout spring and summer. Happy gardening!