Feed rose bushes and check them for black spot. Remove infected leaves and treat plant with a fungicide. The tips of Marguerites, Pelargoniums and Fuchsias can be pinched out now to encourage bushy growth.
Summer flowering bulbs, such as Eucomis, Nerines and Gladioulus can be planted now. Prune well established Cotinus (smoke bush) and Sambucus now if they are grown mainly for foliage effect rather than flowers.
Feed borders with a general purpose fertiliser. Daffodils can be deadheaded after they have flowered. Weeds on paths and driveways can be sprayed now as they are actively growing now.
Apply a spring lawn feed now. Any bumps and hollows on lawns can be repaired by peeling back the turf and either adding or removing soil. Autumn sown sweet peas can be planted out now.
April is an ideal month to sow a wide range of vegetables directly into prepared drills, including carrots, turnips, peas, broad beans, spinach and lettuce. Second early potatoes can be planted early in the month.
At the end of the month tender vegetables like French and runner beans, squashes and courgettes can be sown indoors.
Leave a Reply