With spring well underway, it is time to prepare the garden for the inevitable April showers. The alternating rainy and sunny spells of mid-spring are good news for a lot of vegetation, so there is plenty to plant ahead of the coming summer. We also still need to be careful about late frosts, so here is some April garden care advice for the next month.
Lawn Repair Work
April showers are great for seeding new lawns or patching old established ones. You can buy a 1kg grass seed box for repairing patches, or a 20kg bag of multi-purpose grass seed to sow a new lawn. Just make sure to prepare the topsoil correctly first so the new grass has the best chance possible of growing strong roots.
Seed Sowing
April is the best time to sow hardy annuals and herbs, as well as any wild flowers you would like to enjoy during the summer and autumn. Whether you want to grow flowers in containers or in beds, or meadow an entire area of lawn, take advantage of the April showers to help them get a good growth spurt.
Weed Control
The plentiful rain and sun during April provide big opportunities for plant growth, and no plants take as much advantage of that than weeds. Keep a close eye on all areas of where weeds can grow, as some varieties seed and spread very quickly. You can also place a layer of ornamental bark mulch down to prevent the sunlight getting through to the soil. This will minimise any weed growth, as well as look good and eventually add extra nutrients into the soil underneath as the bark breaks down over time.
Frost Protection
Fruit blossoms are particularly at risk to late frosts which can occur during April no matter how clement the weather seemingly is. The flowers and buds are very vulnerable to frost, so keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared to cover the blossoms to protect them from any sudden drops in temperature.
Pruning and Tying
Climbing plants and rambling roses can be tied and pruned respectively during April. By pruning your roses, you can help them grow more vigorously and produce volumes of beautiful flowers every year. Look to remove dead branches and snip away any thin or weak ones. This will ensure the strong and productive branches receive more of the nutrients absorbed by the roots.
Apply Compost
If you are planning on growing vegetables, then now is a good time to mix some special compost into the topsoil to help them grow strong and tasty. Use Spent Mushroom Compost as it is ideal for growing vegetables.
If you require any grass seed, ornamental bark mulch or spent mushroom compost, then contact Springbridge via our website or call today on 0845 370 1921 for more information.