April marks the start of the growing season, and there are plenty of gardening jobs to complete
Sophie Harris Senior Lifestyle Reporter
09:30, 09 Apr 2026
Alan Titchmarsh’s five April gardening jobs that should be ‘top of your list'(Image: Jeff Spicer, Getty Images)
April is an ideal month to get stuck into gardening, as it signals the true beginning of the growing season, with soil temperatures rising and young seedlings beginning to push through. There’s no shortage of tasks to tackle, and it’s well worth getting on top of them sooner rather than later.
Renowned gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh has shared a wealth of tips and advice throughout his distinguished career, including guidance tailored to specific months. In his latest YouTube video, he outlines five essential tasks to complete this April.
Sort out the lawn
Alan said: “It’s time to sort out the lawn. Now, you’ve probably already started to mow, but there are certain ragged areas that could do with a bit of attention. With the wet winter we’ve had, your lawn is probably full of moss.
“So, now’s the time to get a wire tooth rake and pull the moss out. Just tear at it. Once it’s gone, the grass will get the air and light it needs to thrive,” reports the Express.
Should you discover any bare patches on your lawn, these can be repaired with fresh turf, though Alan suggested reseeding as the more cost-effective option.
Alan Titchmarsh’s 5 gardening jobs that should be ‘on the top’ of your list in April(Image: Getty)
Pricking out young seedlings
Once seedlings have begun to develop and reach about an inch in height, the expert advises giving them more room to grow.
Alan said: “I fill the tray with compost to just below the rim and then tap it to settle it in. It’s a good idea to make sure the surface is smooth.
“I then use a dibber with a point at one end and slide it down the side of the pot to ease out the seedlings.
“You can use a pencil if you like. Then I move them onto the surface of the compost, and I separate the seedlings while holding the top half of the plant.”
After Alan has created a hole in the compost, he carefully positions the seedling and gently firms the compost around its roots.
Be sure to space them a couple of inches apart to allow adequate growing room. When the risk of frost has passed, they can be transferred outdoors.
Sowing seeds in the vegetable patch
Another task Alan recommends for April is getting the vegetable patch planted. He said: “If you have a veg patch, or you’re thinking of trying one, now is a great time for sowing seeds outside.
“Whether you’re planting in the soil or in raised beds, always enrich the earth with an organic soil improver and add a sprinkling of blood, bone and fish meal.
“The easiest and most convenient way to sow veg seeds is in a row. I use a garden line to guide me on where each row will go so I can make sure they’re spaced the right distance apart.”
Plant hardy perennials
April also happens to be an excellent time to get hardy perennials in the ground, and Alan suggests this should be “top of your list”.
The gardening expert mentioned several examples, including scabious, ferns, English lavender and the hardy geranium.
Plant cherry trees
Alan continued: “Now’s a great time to add a flowering cherry tree to your garden…the most spectacular show is the blossom on cherry trees.” Selecting a variety that complements your garden in both size and colour is essential. For those with ample space, Alan recommended Prunus Starlight, which can reach up to four metres.
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