Essential Gardening Tasks You Should Tackle This April

Spring is in full swing, making it a bustling period in the garden. From deadheading spring bulbs to tying in climbers, this month is perfect for getting ready for the summer growing season.

1. Dead head Spring bulbs

Narcissi in my E2 Canalside Planting Design

Remove the spent blooms from spring bulbs, but allow the leaves to wither naturally, as this will nourish the bulbs for the following year.

2. Keep Aphids at bay

Rosa Ghiselle de Feligondi in my N12 Dog Friendly Garden

Apply an organic spray to control aphids or manually remove any greenflies from roses before they become a problem. Attract natural predators such as ladybirds and hoverflies by planting umbellifers and maintaining nettle patches.

3. Prune Mop head Hydrangeas

Hydrangea in my E11 Industrial Style Garden

Keep Hydrangeas healthy by pruning this month down to lower down growth.

4. Tie in Climbers

Clematis Armandii in my E10 Tall & Fragrant Planting Design

This month, climbers will experience significant new growth. Secure them horizontally to wires or a trellis to promote more flowering.

5. Top dress containers

Loropetalum chinensis in a fushcia pot in my N5 Secluded Family Garden. Photo Ellie Walpole

Take off the upper 5cm of compost from the containers and apply a layer of fresh compost or composted bark on top.

Happy April Gardening!