Tim's Gardening Tips

April in the Garden

Flower garden

• Finish dividing clumps of herbaceous perennials if they have become too large.
• Cut back borderline hardy perennials such as Penstemon.
• Put supports in place for perennials that need them.
• Deadhead faded daffodil and tulip flowers but leave the foliage.
• Plant summer-flowering bulbs.
• Apply a general fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone and mulch such as manure compost or bark chippings to borders.

Roses, shrubs, hedges & climbers

• Complete moving and planting of evergreen shrubs and hedging plants.
• Tie in climbing and rambling roses as near to horizontal as possible.
• Regularly tie in vigorous climbers such as honeysuckle and clematis.
• Finish feeding and applying mulch around shrubs, roses, hedges and climbers if not already done.

Trees

• Finish planting evergreen trees and stake.
• Apply a thick layer of mulch around young trees.
• Prune wall-trained fig trees.

Lawns & meadows

• Start mowing lawns regularly, gradually lowering the cutting height each time.
• Apply a spring lawn feed, following the rates specified by the manufacturer.
• Sow or plant wildflower meadows.

Ponds & water features

• Divide or cut back marginal plants and replant water lilies.
• Start feeding fish.

Wildlife

• Replenish birdfeeders regularly.

Out and About

• Visit the RHS London Greener Gardening Show on 31 March - 1 April 2009.