Warmer ground means a burst of growth this month
Even though last month’s heavy snow has long since melted away, the garden still looks rather bedraggled, and definitely in need of a spring pick-me-up. This will come naturally as the plants really burst into growth during April, but there is plenty that we gardeners can do to help.
Lawns always look dreadful after snow, and will really benefit from a quick going-over with a wire rake, to remove some of the debris and moss that has built up over winter. Start to mow the grass regularly this month, with the mower blades set fairly high for the first cut, and apply a high nitrogen spring fertiliser, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, to boost growth and turn the lawn green once more.
Check through borders and remove any branches broken by the weight of snow, or any growth that’s clearly been killed by the cold. Where you are unsure if woody growth is alive, gently scrape a little bark off with your nail or secateurs: if there is green beneath, there is life. Some plants will have suffered in the cold, but may recover, so don’t be too hasty removing them – give them into May to see if they start back into growth.
If the weather is mild, prune back penstemons, lavenders and curry plants, to keep them attractive and compact.
Apply a general purpose fertiliser to beds and borders now to fuel the production of new shoots, followed by a thick mulch of well-rotted compost to suppress weeds, hold in moisture and keep the soil in good heart. Prune back hardy springflowering shrubs, which have put on a colourful display despite the weather, once their flowers are over, and tie in
Apply fertiliser to beds and borders to fuel the production of new shoots
the new growth of climbing plants to their supports.
Remember that there is still a risk of frost at night, which can kill half-hardy bedding plants such as petunias and geraniums. Delay planting them, and tender vegetables, out until the end of May. For now, try planting summer-flowering bulbs, such as alliums, gladioli and nectaroscordums; search nurseries for interesting herbaceous perennials, and get to work sowing and planting in the vegetable plot.
Early and maincrop potatoes can be planted this month, onion sets can be gently pushed into prepared beds, and all kinds of hardy vegetable crops can be sown once the soil is warm, including beetroot, carrots, broad beans, peas, lettuce, sprouting broccoli, kale and parsnips. Keep tomatoes (growing indoors or in propagators) thriving, by moving them into larger pots promptly as they grow.
But however much you manage to do, the garden will be green once again by the end of the month. n