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At Armitage’s, we have all that you need for those spring jobs in garden. Here are our top tips for what you could be doing in April.
Summer bedding
Prick out seedlings of tender bedding plants and pot up young plug plants and cuttings so that they can grow into sturdy plants ready for planting out once the fear of frosts has passed. Always use fresh potting compost and make sure that seed trays, pots and cell trays are either thoroughly cleaned or buy some new ones. Plants will need hardening off before planting out, and they can be protected from cold, wind and light frosts with horticultural fleece.
Plant up hanging baskets & pots
It’s too early to put summer hanging baskets and containers outside, but you can plant them up now as long as you have somewhere to keep them inside that gives protection from frost and has good light. By planting now you’ll have a full basket ready to burst into colour for the summer.
Vegetables
You can plant young tomato, pepper, cucumber and other plants into growing-bags – or 9-10 inch pots of compost – as soon as they are big enough to transplant. And don’t forget that these plants will need some support while they’re growing, so consider suitable supports.
Seed sowing
Hardy annuals can be sown outside now where you want them to flower. Also sow tender vegetables indoors – such as marrows, courgettes, sweetcorn, French and runner beans –ready for planting out next month. And don’t forget you’ll need seed trays, cell trays, small pots, a propagator, compost and labels.
Lawn care
Grass should be growing strongly now so make sure you mow regularly. Adjust the cutting height of your mower so that it takes off no more than half the length of the blades of grass. While you’re mowing, take note of bare patches, moss invasion and weeds and deal with any problems you see. And now’s also an ideal time to feed the grass for a lush, healthy lawn in time for summer!
Feeding
Give your trees, shrubs, climbers, fruit and herbaceous plants the best start to the year and ensure your most colourful displays and bountiful harvests ever, by making sure you feed them now. Sprinkle the fertiliser around the root area and work it into the top inch or so of soil. If the soil is dry, water in the feed to prevent it burning the roots. Controlled-release fertilisers are the easy way to feed and forget as they release their nutrients whenever the soil is warm enough for plant growth, and will feed the plants for the whole year.
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