GARDEN CALENDAR - APRIL

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THE FLOWER GARDEN 



  • Another busy month in the flower garden clearing up the last of the summer annuals and preparing ground and planting autumn/ winter varieties.
  • This is really the last month for planting spring flowering bulbs. Mix bulb food into the soil when planting - this will get them off to a good start once the roots start developing.
  • Lots of winter flowering shrubs and trees will start appearing in store this month - this is the ideal time to plant as it gives the plant time to establish and firm up in the ground before the onset of winter. Remember to stake tall trees when planting.
  • Prune back shrubs and climbers that have finished flowering.
  • Plant out Primulas, polyanthus, pansies, violas, cineraria, sweet pea, and stock.
  • Plant up pots and containers for autumn and winter colour. Add slow release fertiliser to the potting mix and feed weekly with a liquid or soluble flowering plant food. A tub filled with pansies or polyanthus will look a picture and will flower for months.

 

 

THE EDIBLE GARDEN 



  • This month continues the tasks of March - harvesting the last of the summer vege crops and preparing the ground for autumn and winter crops.
  • Be sure to store crops such as pumpkins, onions and potatoes in a cool dry place and check regularly to make sure no infections have set in.
  • This is the time to sow broad bean seeds for late winter harvest. Broad beans are best picked when young and sweet and make a tasty addition to late winter meals. They like to be grown on a support structure, are easy to grow, and are heavy croppers.
  • Winter lettuce can be planted now - be sure to choose winter varieties such as 'Winter Triumph'.
  • Rhubarb crowns can be lifted, split, and re-planted into newly prepared soil. Rhubarb enjoys a food rich soil so add in lots of compost, sheep pellets, blood and bone, and top dress with general garden fertiliser.
  • Harrisons will have bundles of bare rooted strawberry plants in stock now. This is the best time to plant. Prepare the soil well as for rhubarb and feed again in early spring.
  • Sow sugar snap peas now.
  • Continue planting seedlings of cabbage, cauliflower, leeks, spinach and silver beet.
  • Fruit trees that have been harvested and are starting to shed their leaves can be given a clean-up with a copper spray - this will help kill off any overwintering fungus spores.
  • This year’s deciduous fruit trees will be arriving in store this month - peaches, plums, nectarines, apples. Look for double or triple grafted trees and dwarf growing varieties which are ideal for small gardens and growing in containers.