April

April is a confusing time of year. While the increased warmth and light brings an explosion of growth to the garden with the unpredictable weather you should make the most of dry spells and get your seeds sown when you can.

As a spell of bad weather could turn your planting schedule upside down. Unexpected frosts could kill off unprotected plants so some form of protection is recommended for this time of year.

Plants at their best ...	We recommend Sowing ...	It's a great time to Harvest...	It's a good time to Harvest...
Iris Azales Viburnums Red Buckeye Horse Chesnut Empress Tree Kousa Dogwood Spireas Ninebarks Spiderworts Wild Geraniums Bluestar Columbine Coral Bells Viola Klose Trumpet-Honeysuckle Clematis Flowering Onions Spanish Bluebells Deonis Deutzias Itea Fringe tree Big Leaf Magnolia Styrax	Beetroots Broad Beans Broccoli & Calabrese Cabbages Carrots Cauliflowers Celeriac & Kohl Rabi Chard Courgettes Marrows Squashes Fennel French Beans Leeks Lettuces Onions & Shallots Peas Mange touts Sugar Snaps Runner Beans Salad Leaves Spinach Sweet corn Turnips Swedes	Aubergines Peppers Chillies Brussels sprouts Kale Cabbages Cauliflowers Celeriac & Kohl Rabi Celery Chard Courgettes Marrows Cucumbers Fennel French Beans Lettuces Peas Mange touts Sugar Snaps Potatoes Pumpkins Winter Squashes Runner Beans Salad Leaves Spinach Sweet corn Tomatoes	Broad Beans Beetroots Broccoli & Calabrese Cabbages Carrots Cauliflowers Celeriac & Kohl Chard Leeks Lettuces Onions & Shallots Peas Mange touts Sugar Snaps Salad Leaves Spinach Sweet corn Turnips Swedes

Handy Gardening Tips:

Deadhead daffodils, leaving existing foliage to die down naturally
Lift, divide and replant overgrown clumps of herbaceous plants
Tie in new shoots of climbers
Prick out seedlings and thin as per packet instructions
Brighten up the front of the house with spring bedding in pots and hanging baskets
Remove weeds before they overtake seedlings
Broad beans grown in pots can now be planted
Plant out chatted potatoes
Continue sowing outdoor vegetables

Handy tips for the Lawn

Feeding and weeding can begin this month
Dig out the patches of coarse grass, fill the holes, then reseed
Trim the grass lightly
Sow or turf new lawn, feed existing lawn