There’s a real sense of momentum in the garden right now, making April the ideal time to refresh, reset and start planning ahead. From sowing hardy flowers to trying the ‘in-and-out plants’ trend, here’s everything to tackle in your garden this month.
1) Tick off some April jobs
As the soil warms, sow early veg and hardy flowers
Plant bare-root shrubs and refresh containers
Prune summer-flowering shrubs, including roses and hydrangea paniculata. Remove winter damage but leave spring bloomers alone
Feed roses, lawns and hungry perennials, then clear debris and weeds while they’re small.
Read more: 5 plants to prune in April (and the right tools for each job)
2) Planting trend: In-and-out plants
Tatiana Terekhina – Getty Images
Dry spring? Scorching summer? Hosepipe ban? No stress. Gardeners are getting smart with drought-tolerant plants and one of this year’s hottest garden hacks is in-and-out plants. The RHS says houseplants are set to bring their indoor style to outdoor spaces with classics like spider plants and tradescantia gracing hanging baskets and containers.
As hotter, drier summers become the norm, this trend is expected to take off. Plants such as lantana – once strictly an indoor guest – have been flowering prolifically outdoors in RHS Garden Wisley trials. Other houseplants making the outdoor guest list include the sago palm* and bird of paradise. Move plants outside after frost risk passes, then bring back in for winter.
3) Design tip: Plants for pavers
kynny – Getty Images
Give your garden path a glow-up with stylish pavers. Leave gaps as a feature, filling them with plants to soften hard lines and block weeds. Go for low-growing, mat-forming creepers that handle foot traffic. Try fragrant creeping thyme, velvety Irish or Scotch moss, tough sedum or cheerful speedwell for its tiny blue or white flowers.
4) Snap up a ‘grow table’
This clever table makes light work of growing your own produce – and you can position it on a balcony or patio. Designed with drainage holes in the legs, it keeps plants thriving. Perfect picks to get growing include crunchy carrots (‘Nantes’), cute lettuces (‘Tom Thumb’), spicy chillies (‘Apache’) and juicy tomatoes (‘Gardener’s Delight’).
BUY NOW: Elho Green Basics Grow Table XXL
5) How to create a wildflower patch
Creating a wildflower patch is one of the easiest – and most rewarding – ways to bring natural beauty and biodiversity into your garden. Whether you have a sprawling lawn or a small corner to spare, Dr Emily Attlee, conservation scientist and co-founder of Seedball,shares her advice on getting started.
Alan Morris – Getty Images
1. Find a bright, open spot where your wildflowers can bask in daylight for most of the day. If your garden isn’t the sunniest, opt for robust varieties, such as forget-me-nots, bellflowers and buttercups. Don’t worry if your soil is rocky or poor, as wildflowers often thrive where other plants struggle.
2. Give soil a gentle rake to loosen it up, removing weeds and clumps. But don’t go overboard; wildflowers love a slightly untidy, natural environment.
3. Scatter seeds evenly across your patch. Don’t stress about exact spacing – it’s meant to look natural and wild. Gently pat or lightly rake them in to help them settle. Think of it as tucking your seeds into a cosy bed, ready to grow and surprise you with colour!
4. Give seeds a little water. Wildflowers aren’t at all needy, but they do appreciate some hydration while bedding in. Once established, they’re low-maintenance superheroes and you can leave the watering to natural rainfall.
5. Wildflowers reward patience with an explosion of colour, fragrance and buzzing pollinators. Take a moment to enjoy the peaceful vibes, snap photos or simply watch nature do its delightful thing.
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