Mzz B’s April Garden

Tulipa saxitalisTulip Little Beauty Tulip Peppermint Stick- speciesDarwin HybridRhododendron Taurus

The spring is an interesting season for a gardener- some days like summer, some like winter, gales, rain-but luckily no frost recently. Don’t be lulled into the thought that summer is here- we could still get some cold weather. Weather records say that this has been the earliest spring ever recorded- but as we seem to be in more unpredictable weather we cannot look ahead very easily.

So how has the garden responded to the weather? The daffodils have been absolutely glorious everywhere and now tulips are having their turn. There are many different sorts of tulips – as well as the hybrids that produce big showy flowers there are species ones which are more delicate and much more reliable in coming back every year. I tend to prefer less large showy flowers- however I succumbed to a glorious red rhododendron called Taurus which is now over 6 foot tall and full of huge red blossoms- sometimes you just need a bit of impact!

Jobs to do in April- one of the busiest times!

• Sow Hardy annuals such as love in the mist and pot marigolds as well as native wildflowers in gaps in orders.

• Protect the new shoots of delphiniums, hostas and other vulnerable plants like new seedlings from slugs and snails. Try using slug pellets that are marked as suitable for organic gardening then it will not harm useful insects in the garden, however even these are not very good for the insect or bird life so use sparingly and only when you have to.

• Continue deadheading spring bulbs and bedding, so they don't waste energy setting seed.

• Transplant sweet peas sown in pots into their final positions when the weather warms a little

• Check for aphids on roses and a rub them off before they develop into a problem.

• Add aquatic plants such as water lilies to garden ponds.

• if you haven't already done so, get those second early and maincrop potatoes planted.

• Sow outdoor varieties of tomatoes, and courgettes in pots so they are ready to plant out when the weather is reliably warm.

• Divide clumps of hardy herbs then replant in pots, herb beds.

• Sow small batches of rocket, other easy salad leaves, and radishes.

• Sow flowering companions in the veg plot, such as pot marigolds and borage These are meant to keep the bugs away from your veg.

• Sow herbs such as parsley, coriander, dill and chamomile in a sunny bed or container

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