In The Fruit Garden This April

April is a key month for fruit growing — plants are waking up, blossom is forming, and a few smart jobs now can make a big difference to your harvest later. Here are the most important things to focus on:

🍓 1. Plant New Fruit Bushes & Trees

If the ground is workable, you can still plant:

• Strawberry plants
• Raspberry canes (especially autumn-fruiting)
• Blueberries (great in pots with ericaceous compost)
• Fruit trees (container-grown)

👉 Water well after planting and mulch to lock in moisture.

🌸 2. Protect Blossom from Frost

Blossom time is critical for fruiting—and April frosts can ruin it.

• Cover trees (like apples, pears, plums) with fleece overnight if frost is forecast
• Move potted fruit (like citrus or strawberries) to sheltered spots
• Even a light frost can damage developing flowers

✂️ 3. Prune the Right Plants

April is not for heavy pruning, but you can:

• Prune autumn-fruiting raspberries (if not already done) by cutting canes to the ground
• Lightly tidy gooseberries and currants
• Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches

Avoid pruning spring-flowering fruit trees heavily now—it can reduce crops.

🌱 4. Feed for Strong Growth

Fruit plants are hungry as they come into growth.

• Apply a balanced fertiliser or specialist fruit feed
• Mulch with compost or well-rotted manure
• For blueberries, use ericaceous feed and compost

🐝 5. Encourage Pollinators

More pollinators = more fruit.

• Avoid spraying during flowering
• Plant pollinator-friendly flowers nearby (like primroses)
• Consider insect hotels or leaving wild corners

🍓 6. Care for Strawberries

Your strawberry beds need attention now:

• Remove old or dead leaves
• Tidy plants and space them out
• Add straw or mulch underneath to keep fruit clean later
• Feed with a high-potash fertiliser

🌿 7. Weed and Mulch

Weeds compete for nutrients just as fruit plants need them most.

• Weed thoroughly around bushes and trees
• Apply mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture
• Keep mulch away from stems to prevent rot

🪴 8. Grow Fruit in Containers

If space is limited, April is perfect to start:

• Strawberries in hanging baskets
• Blueberries in pots
• Dwarf fruit trees on patios

Make sure containers have good drainage and fresh compost.

🐛 9. Watch for Early Pests & Disease

Keep an eye out for:

• Aphids on new shoots
• Gooseberry sawfly
• Mildew (especially on currants)

👉 Act early—problems are easier to control now than later.

💧 10. Water Consistently

Spring can be dry despite the cool weather.

• Water newly planted fruit regularly
• Keep soil evenly moist during flowering and fruit set
• Especially important for container-grown plants

🌼 Bonus Tip: Plan for Succession

Think beyond summer:

• Mix early, mid, and late fruiting varieties
• Combine strawberries, raspberries, currants, and trees for a longer harvest season