In
April, you will find that the jobs can really begin to mount up if
you are not careful. This is the month when most of us will begin to
direct sow seeds outside and during which many plants raised indoors
will make the journey to their final growing positions. Here is a
list of some of the jobs you might want to consider in your garden
this month:
Jobs in
the Vegetable Garden:
-
Prepare existing vegetable beds by adding compost if
you have not already done so.
-
Build new raised beds to make gardening easier.
-
Direct sow many crops as soon as the weather warms,
including radishes, parsnips, lettuces, cabbages and more. Harden
off others before planting out.
-
Support pea plants with twiggy sticks.
- Thin carrot seedlings to ensure they have enough space
to grow.
Jobs
in the Fruit Garden/Orchard:
-
Plant out a strawberry bed, covering plants with
cloches to get an earlier crop.
-
Mulch fruit trees with a good, organic mulch.
-
Protect fruit blossoms with fleece if a late frost
threatens.
-
Hand pollinate peaches and nectarines to get a good
crop this year.
-
Sow and plant 'guilds' of companion plants for new
fruit trees.
Jobs in
the Flower Garden:
-
Lift and divide perennial plants this month to increase
their vigour and add to plant stock.
-
Plant or pot on hardwood cuttings taken last year.
-
Tie in climbing plants such as roses to their supports.
-
Cut back any dead foliage that still remains so new
shoots of perennial plants can grow.
-
Deadhead daffodils and tulips but allow their foliage
to die back naturally.

Jobs
Under Cover:
-
Clean out your greenhouse or polytunnel if you have not
already done so.
-
Water more frequently, at least once a day in warm
weather.
-
Pay attention to ventilation and make sure you leave
doors open on sunny days.
-
Continue to sow lettuce, radishes and other quick crops
under cover for successional harvests.
-
Prick out seedlings and pot up or plant out when they
get their first true leaves.
General
Garden Jobs:
-
Install water butts, if you have not already, to make
the most of the April showers.
-
Make sure bird feeders are topped up to encourage birds
into your garden.
-
Keep on top of the weeding as the weather warms up.
Apply mulches to cut down on weeding.
-
Begin to mow your lawn as it grows but do not be
tempted to mow when it is cold or damp.
-
Consider growing your own mushrooms.
-
Consider rehoming some battery hens to keep in your
garden.