April
- Bexley Garden Centre
- Apr 1, 2025
- 3 min read
April is a proper spring month – growth speeds up, borders start filling out, and there’s loads you can do now to get the garden looking its best for summer. Just keep some fleece handy, as surprise frosts can still happen early in the month.
April jobs in the garden
Garden protection & weather prep
April weather can flip quickly. Protect tender plants on cold nights with fleece, and keep an eye out for windy days that can damage new growth. This is also a great month to move plants outside gradually (harden off) before they live outdoors full-time.
Lawn care
Your lawn will start growing fast. Continue mowing (still avoid cutting too short), and this is a good time to feed the lawn and overseed bare patches. If you’ve had a lot of moss, a light rake or scarify on a dry day can help.
Veg patch & seed prep
April is busy! Sow little and often for a steady supply. You can sow many veg outdoors as the soil warms, and keep sowing tender crops under cover. It’s also a great month to plant potatoes, onion sets, and start putting supports in place before plants get too big.
Trees & shrubs
Spring-flowering shrubs can be pruned after flowering (don’t do it before or you’ll remove this year’s blooms). Feed and mulch around shrubs and perennials to boost growth. It’s also a good month to tie in climbers and replace or add supports.
Wildlife
April is peak nesting season – avoid disturbing hedges where birds may be nesting. Keep water available, and leave a few “wild corners” where insects can thrive. If you have a pond, top up water levels and remove debris carefully.
What’s in store this month
Seeds (veg + flowers), seed trays, labels and compost
Multipurpose and peat-free compost, grow bags and soil improvers
Plant supports: canes, rings, obelisks, twine and clips
Slug/snail control and other pest management
Lawn care: spring feed, grass seed, patch repair kits
Hanging baskets, planters and seasonal bedding
Wildlife: bird food, feeders, bee/insect-friendly plants
April garden FAQs
What can I plant in April?
Lots! Many hardy veg can be sown outdoors (weather depending), and you can start planting up pots, baskets and borders. Tender plants still need protection until the risk of frost has passed.
When is it safe to put plants outside for good?
April is usually “harden off” time – start moving plants out on mild days and bringing them in at night. Many gardeners wait until May for tender plants to stay out permanently (local weather matters).
How often should I mow the lawn in April?
Usually more often than March – growth speeds up quickly. Keep the cut moderate (not too short) and mow when conditions are dry.
Why are my young plants being eaten overnight?
Often it’s slugs/snails (or sometimes birds). Protect seedlings with cloches, barriers, or approved controls, and check in the evening or early morning for culprits.
Can I prune shrubs in April?
Yes – but timing matters. Prune spring-flowering shrubs after they’ve finished flowering, and leave summer-flowering ones for later/prune according to the plant type.
Visit us today...
at our Bexleyheath or Barnehurst branches to stock up on winter essentials and get ready for spring – including seed potatoes, compost, frost protection, heated propagators and wild bird food.
