Jobs for the garden in April
29th Mar 2022
With 20 March and the spring equinox behind us, the clocks having gone forward to British Summer Time on Sunday 27 March, and last week seeing such glorious weather across the country – spring can be said to have well and truly arrived.
So now really is the time to get out into the garden – to enjoy the sunshine and start on those April jobs.
Looking after the lawn
If you haven’t already, now’s the time to give the lawn its first cut of the year, as well as generally tidying up the edges, raking through the grass to remove the remains of old and dead plant material, and feeding the lawn to boost growth and prevent weeds and moss from taking over.
April’s also a good month if you’re thinking of creating a new lawn – either from seed or laying turf.
Whatever your plans for the lawn, we have a great stock of lawn care tools, ranging from lawn mowers, to rakes, scarifiers and aerators – in fact all you need to get your lawn in tip-top condition for the summer.
Have you thought about a wildflower meadow?
If you’re a fan of The Archers, the Radio 4 soap, you’ll know that rewilding is currently a mainstream storyline. You may also have read articles about the benefits of returning swathes of the countryside to their natural state – benefits for the butterflies, bees, wild animals and insects, for the ecosystem and environment generally.
Rewilding isn’t just open to farmers and grand landlords, however. Increasing numbers of homeowners are devoting part of their lawn or turning over a corner of the garden to a wildflower meadow. And even those with very small plots are able to get involved, as wildflowers can be grown in patio pots and containers and even balcony window boxes.
The RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) has a great section on how to grow a mini wildflower meadow, taking you through the tasks from forking the area, removing weeds and stones, to sowing the seeds themselves. And according to the RHS, “Your meadow should be growing vigorously within a few weeks.” Some plants will flower within about a month and a half, although others may take a little longer.
Sunshine and showers for sowing
April is synonymous with sunshine and showers, and therefore the perfect month in which to sow hardy annuals such as dahlias, sunflowers and chrysanthemums.
And there’s no better time to start a vegetable garden or to
get sowing in your existing vegetable plot – 
whether you’re growing in pots or
formal laid out beds. Broad beans, beetroot, Brussels sprouts, broccoli,
cabbages, carrots, leeks, parsnip, peas and spinach are all good to get started
on now.
You can also plant out seed potatoes and raspberry and blackberry canes in April, and globe and Jerusalem artichokes.
If you need tools for the various tasks – from preparing the soil and beds ready for sowing and planting, to the actual sowing and planting – no problem! Our Digging and Planting section has loads from which to choose: forks and rakes, dibbers, bulb planters and seed spreaders, for example.
Carry on pruning, and start on the weeding
There’s still cutting and pruning to be done in April, and the warmer weather will inspire the weeds to start growing. Start now on keeping these under control. Using a hoe is one of the most effective methods, along with manually pulling weeds when not too numerous.
Fencing and arbours, gazebos and garden sheds.
And finally, it would be an idea to check on your fencing and garden structures, particularly after the winter we’ve had and the destruction and damage wrought by storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin. Check for any repairs that need doing, treat your timber structures, and generally remove dirt and algae.
Why not pay a visit to your local Draper stockist where you’ll find some great deals on garden essentials.
