April’s top tips

April is spring in full swing – longer days, faster growth, and plenty to do to set the garden up for the months ahead. It’s a great time to sow, plant, and tidy, but do keep an eye on the forecast as a late cold snap can still catch tender new growth.

April jobs in the garden

• Garden protection & weather prep

  April weather can change quickly. Keep fleece/cloches handy for chilly nights and protect tender shoots if a cold snap is due. Start hardening off plants raised indoors by putting them outside on mild days and bringing them in at night.

• Lawn care

  Growth speeds up now. Start mowing more regularly (keep the cut moderate, not too short), tidy edges, and remove weeds before they spread. If the lawn is looking thin, April is a good time to overseed small patches when conditions are mild.

• Veg patch & seed prep

  April is a busy sowing month. Sow little and often for a steady supply, and keep tender crops under cover until nights warm up. It’s also a good time to plant and support early crops before they take off.

• Trees & shrubs

  Prune spring-flowering shrubs after they’ve finished flowering (so you don’t remove this year’s blooms). Feed roses and shrubs as growth starts, and add a mulch layer to borders to help retain moisture and improve soil.

• Wildlife

  Pollinators start to become much more active in April. Choose bee-friendly plants, avoid disturbing nesting areas, and keep a shallow water source available for birds and insects.