John’s April jobs for the garden

April is the time to get back into our outdoor spaces and start prepping for the season ahead. We’re luckily having a warm and dry April, so it makes it a little easier being outside doing our gardening jobs…

Soil preparation – This is very important before the season starts. Clear any weeds or old plants from the flowerbeds, and turn over the soil with soil improver, compost or well-rotted manure to enrich it.

Pruning- Prune any spring-flowering shrubs after they have bloomed. Trim back any dead or damaged growth on perennials.

Lawns: Rake up any debris and moss from the lawn. Aerate the soil if necessary and apply a spring lawn fertilizer.

Weeding: Keep an eye on emerging weeds and remove them promptly to prevent them from taking over your garden.

Pests: Inspect plants for any signs of pests and take appropriate action, such as introducing beneficial insects or using organic pest control methods.

Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around plants and in beds to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Hardening off: Begin hardening off any seedlings that were started indoors by gradually introducing them to outdoor conditions.

Garden Planning: Plan and design new garden beds or layouts, considering companion planting.