Gardeners 'must do' one key job in April or you'll ‘miss your chance’
A gardening expert is urging people to get to work sooner rather than later as you may miss your chance for a beautiful display
With the sun shining this weekend, there is no time like the present to get out in your garden. As we settle into April, gardens are now showing visible signs of new life with fresh growth and vibrant colour.
The arrival of milder temperatures and sunny spells also brings April showers, setting the perfect conditions to nurture outdoor spaces for the months ahead.
In the run-up to summer, your list of gardening jobs is bound to grow. But if you are feeling overwhelmed, there is one task that a gardening expert is urging gardeners to prioritise before the end of the month.
To help you get into the swing of spring, Jamie Shipley at Hedges Direct, has shared his recommended April gardening jobs, from what to plant to how to look after your lawn.
According to the expert, April is the best time to focus on planting flower bulbs.
"April is the prime time to plant any summer-flowering bulbs you didn’t get around to last month," Jamie said.
He then advised: "There should still be enough time for them to establish, but any later and you may miss your chance for a beautiful display."
Some of the most popular bulbs to plant this month include Freesia, which can be temperamental and delicate to grow, but if successful they will produce highly fragrant beautiful blooms.
"Freesia bulbs are extremely sensitive to the cold, so make sure to plant in a well-draining, sunny spot in your garden," advised the expert.
Crocosmia bulbs should also be planted in April. They are relatively easy to grow and produce vibrant blooms from summer through autumn.
"Grow crocosmia from bulb-like corms," Jamie said. "Plant the corms in a sunny spot into moist, well-draining soil.
"Dig in a well-rotted compost into the soil before placing the corns with their pointed end facing up and the roots downwards."
You should also aim to plant peonies in April. "Peonies, Paeonia, come in two forms: bare-root or pot grown. Those grown in pots can be planted in mid to late spring," he said.
"Look for a spot in your garden that receives lots of direct sunlight and dig in a well-rotted compost into the soil to add nutrients before planting. Make sure to give them plenty of space to grow, planting 1 metre apart is ideal."
Finally, daylilies should also be planted this month. "Hemerocallis get their common name because their blooms only last for a day, but they will continue to flower in quick succession throughout the summer," Jamie said.
"Plant pot-grown daylilies into borders for an eye-catching display. Ensure that the soil is kept moist."