At Love Plants garden centre in Shrewsbury, April marks the exciting transition into the vibrant realm of spring. With the promise of summer lingering on the horizon, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. But don’t be fooled by the allure of warmer days—April beckons gardeners to roll up their sleeves and dive into the myriad of gardening tasks.
As the weather tends to be drier in April, it’s crucial to maintain a diligent watering routine for your plants. The warmer temperatures also herald the arrival of unwelcome guests like slugs and snails, posing a threat to tender new growth.
If you’ve been gradually acclimating your greenhouse transplants to outdoor conditions, continue this process while ensuring they remain protected from any unexpected late frosts.
TREES AND SHRUBS
Assuming the soil isn’t waterlogged from previous showers, now is the opportune moment to relocate your trees and evergreen shrubs to their desired spots in the garden.
FLOWERS
With summer on the horizon, meticulous preparation is key. Pinch out the tips of fuchsia shoots and sweet pea plants to promote lush, bushy growth for the upcoming season. Dividing herbaceous perennials enhances their vigour, while mulching the soil aids in moisture retention—beneficial during dry spells.
Important jobs to do in the garden in April include ensuring climbing roses, honeysuckle, clematis, and sweet peas are properly tied to their supports for optimal growth and penstemons and forsythia are pruned to encourage healthy new growth.
VEGETABLES
Combat pesky weed seedlings by diligently hoeing over empty patches in your vegetable plot. Once weeds are under control, sow vegetable seeds without fear of interference. While salad crops can be sown every two weeks, wait until the month’s end to sow sweetcorn, squash, and runner beans. Protect pea seedlings with supports to avoid root disturbance.
Guard against overnight frost by providing cover for tender vegetable plants. Consider purchasing potted or strip-planted varieties if protection is challenging.
FRUIT
April’s climate poses a risk of leaf curl, particularly for peaches and nectarines. Safeguard your fruit trees by spraying them to prevent disease and hand-pollinate blossoms with a paintbrush. Maintain the health of your fruit trees and bushes with regular feeding and mulching, paying special attention to raspberry canes.
At Love Plants in Shrewsbury, we’re here to equip you for your gardening jobs for April. Explore our range of plants online or visit our plant centre to discover a treasure trove of options for your spring garden. Let’s make this April a blooming success together!
