What to Do in the Garden in April
April is a busy month for gardeners. From planting out hardened-off seedlings to supporting climbing plants, here's your complete guide to April gardening.
April brings warmer weather and longer days, but beware of late frosts. This is an incredibly busy month with sowing, planting and growing activities in full swing.
Key Takeaways for April
- Harden off tender plants before planting out after last frost
- Continue successional sowing of vegetables
- Plant out sweet peas and support with canes
- Apply lawn treatments and start regular mowing
- Stake tall perennials before they flop
- Watch for late frosts and protect tender plants
Flowers
April gardens are full of colour from spring bulbs and early perennials. Start preparing supports for summer displays.
April Flower Tasks
- Stake tall perennials like delphiniums and peonies
- Plant out hardened-off sweet peas
- Sow hardy annuals where they are to flower
- Continue planting summer-flowering bulbs
- Deadhead spring bulbs and feed with tomato fertiliser
- Take basal cuttings from delphiniums and lupins
- Divide and replant hostas and other perennials
- Prune forsythia after flowering
- Plant dahlia tubers outdoors in mild areas
- Tie in climbing roses regularly
Fruit and Vegetables
The vegetable garden is in full swing. Keep up with successional sowing and start planting out tender vegetables at the end of the month in mild areas.
April Fruit and Veg Tasks
- Plant maincrop potatoes
- Sow French beans, runner beans and sweetcorn under cover
- Direct sow carrots, lettuce and radishes
- Thin out earlier sowings
- Earth up potato plants as shoots emerge
- Protect blossom from frost with fleece
- Hang pheromone traps in apple trees for codling moth
- Water and mulch fruit trees and bushes
- Plant asparagus crowns
- Net soft fruit against birds
Greenhouse
Temperatures can soar in the greenhouse on sunny days. Ventilation and shading become increasingly important.
April Greenhouse Tasks
- Sow courgettes, squash and pumpkins
- Pot on tomatoes into final containers
- Plant greenhouse tomatoes if temperatures are warm enough
- Increase shading and ventilation
- Water and feed regularly
- Watch for red spider mite in warm conditions
- Harden off bedding plants and vegetables
- Sow cucumbers and melons
- Pot on young plants to prevent root restriction
- Damp down floors on hot days to increase humidity
House Plants
Houseplants are growing vigorously now. Keep up with watering and feeding to support this growth.
April House Plant Tasks
- Move houseplants to shadier spots as light intensifies
- Increase watering frequency
- Feed every 2 weeks with liquid fertiliser
- Repot any remaining root-bound plants
- Take stem cuttings for new plants
- Move hardier houseplants outside during the day
Garden Maintenance
Regular mowing begins and lawns need attention after winter dormancy.
April Maintenance Tasks
- Start weekly lawn mowing, gradually lowering the cut
- Apply lawn weedkiller if needed
- Edge lawns regularly for a neat finish
- Install water butts to capture spring rain
- Check pond filters and pumps
- Keep bird baths topped up
- Repair and treat garden furniture
- Continue mulching borders
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