In The Flower Garden This April

Plant Spring Flowers: 

• Spring Bulbs: If you haven’t done so already, plant late-blooming spring bulbs like lilies, alliums, and gladiolus in April. They thrive in well-drained, sunny spots.
• Pansies & Violas: These can handle cooler temperatures and will add colour to your garden throughout April and beyond. 
• Primroses & Polyanthus: These early bloomers can be planted in borders or containers for vibrant spring colour. 

Prepare for Summer Flowers: 

• Sow Seeds Indoors: Now is the time to start sowing seeds indoors for summer blooms like sunflowers, zinnias, cosmos, and marigolds. Use seed trays or pots and place them in a warm, sunny spot.
• Plant Annuals: If the risk of frost has passed (typically towards the end of the month), you can start planting annuals like geraniums, begonias, and petunias into borders or containers. 

Deadhead and Prune Spring Blooms: 

• Deadheading: Remove dead or faded flowers from plants like daffodils, crocuses, and tulips to encourage more blooms and prevent them from going to seed. 
• Pruning: Cut back spent flowers and tidy up spring flowering shrubs such as forsythia and spiraea once they finish blooming. This helps promote healthy growth and prepares them for next year. 

Feed Your Plants: 

• As plants begin to grow and flower, they need a good supply of nutrients. Apply a balanced fertiliser or liquid feed to encourage strong growth. 
• Roses: If you have roses, now is a good time to start feeding them with a specialist rose fertiliser to encourage strong growth and good flowering. 

Mulch Flower Beds: 

• Apply a layer of mulch around your flower beds to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Well-rotted compost, bark, or leaf mold works well. 
• Avoid piling mulch directly against the stems of plants to prevent rot. 

Support Tall or Climbing Plants: 

• For climbing plants like clematis, roses, and sweet peas, now is a good time to add support structures like trellises, obelisks, or bamboo canes.
• As these plants grow, regularly tie them to the support to ensure they grow in the desired direction and remain tidy. 

Create Spring Displays: 

• Spring Containers: Create beautiful spring containers using plants like violas, primroses, hyacinths, and tulips. They add instant colour to patios, doorsteps, or garden entrances. 
• Hanging Baskets: Now is a great time to plant up hanging baskets with geraniums, petunias, and lobelia for a colourful display that will last through the summer. 

Prune Shrubs and Perennials: 

• Perennials: Cut back dead foliage from last year’s perennials to allow fresh growth to come through. This is especially important for plants like hostas, lavender, and geraniums. 
• Shrubs: For flowering shrubs like lilacs or azaleas, prune lightly to shape them and remove any dead or damaged branches. 

Water Carefully: 

• While April often brings rainfall, be mindful of watering during dry spells. Water deeply but infrequently, ensuring that the water reaches the roots of plants. 
• Water early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid water loss due to evaporation during the heat of the day. 

Weed Regularly: 

• April is a great time to tackle weeds before they establish themselves. Pull out weeds regularly by hand, or use a hoe to keep them in check. Be sure to remove them from the roots to prevent regrowth. 
• Consider applying a weed suppressant around the base of plants to keep weeds at bay. 

By following these tips, your flower garden will thrive throughout April and set the stage for a vibrant and blooming summer. Happy gardening!