Jobs in the Garden - April

Trees and Shrubs

Now is a good time for mulching. Mulching benefits the garden in many ways including keeping in the moisture, feeding and weed control. Mulching should be applied 3-4 inches thick. The best materials to use are spent mushroom compost, well rotted farm yard manure or bark chippings.

Watch out for late frosts - protect fruit blossom and other tender plants.

Fertilise trees, shrubs and hedges - use a good fertiliser such as fish, blood and bone. Yew hedges will benefit from an application of dried blood. One of my favourite fertilisers for trees and shrubs is a controlled slow release fertiliser called Osmocote which is made by Scotts and is widely available.

Lawns

April is the time to sow new lawns. Good preparation is essential for seeded lawns:

• cultivate
• rake out to your desired levels
• remove stones and debris

If the soil is still cold and wet delay sowing for a week or so until the conditions are better. You can also repair those patches which have not come through the winter.

Fertilise your lawn with high nitrogen which boosts the grass to a lush green and promotes a fast growth rate.

Control weeds in your lawn with a selective weed killer - use a chemical with active ingredients, 2 4-D and Mecoprop-p in it.

Annuals

Sow Sweet Peas outside this month but it’s a good idea to give them some protection.

Fruit

Fruit trees, bushes and strawberries - apply sulphate of potash or a general fertiliser.

Pests and Diseases

Watch out for early signs of aphid on the young growth of roses. Last year caterpillars were a problem on trees causing defoliation, look out for holes appearing in the leaves.