27/03/2009

April

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April is a tricky month for gardeners, one minute warm sunshine is beating down on you, and in the blink of an eye hailstones are battering the seedlings into the ground.

Unprotected plants can also be killed off with frosts, so don't get too bold and leave them unprotected just yet. The increased warmth and light brings an explosion of growth to the garden and with the unpredictable weather you should make the most of dry spells and get your seeds sown when you can. A spell of bad weather could cause havock with the planting schedule. Continue with the preparation of the ground for sowing and hoe between over-wintering crops.

Finish any digging

Force Rhubarb

Sow early crops under cloches

Warm soil using cloches or polythene

Check the grease bands around fruit trees and renew as required.

If not already done, prune Raspberry canes to 6 inches. Keep the canes for supports for peas or similar

Check the fruit stores for rotting fruit, or attacks by rodents

Plant fruit trees, fruit canes and fruit bushes.

Prepare strawberry beds.

The Fruit garden in April

Check the grease bands around fruit trees and renew as required.

If not already done, prune Raspberry canes to 6 inches. Keep the canes for supports for peas or similar

Check the fruit stores for rotting fruit, or attacks by rodents

Plant fruit trees, fruit canes and fruit bushes.

Prepare strawberry beds.

The Flower garden in April

Preparation is the word of the month. Beds and borders should be prepaired for biennials and perennials. Bedding plants can be planted out, but keep the fleece handy for late frosts.

Tidy up the lawn, and if required re sow patches that look bare or dammaged.

Prune roses

Make sure you have enough fleece insulating your cold frames.

The Greenhouse in April

Time to sow the bedding plants

Prick out any seedlings that are ready

Sow seeds in cellular trays

Train and prune bushy Fuchsias