insideKENT Magazine Issue 85 - April 2019 | Page 137

OUTDOORLIVING
YOUR GARDEN THIS MONTH:
APRIL
Sunshine & Showers
SPRING IS FINALLY IN EVIDENCE AS DAFFODILS AND FLOWERING TREES START TO BLOOM.
EXPECT THE INEVITABLE APRIL SHOWERS THIS MONTH BUT WITH SUNNY DAYS TOO, WHEN
YOU CAN TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO THE LAWN. IT'S AN EXCITING MONTH, WITH INDOOR-
SOWN SEEDS WELL INTO GROWTH, AND IT'S ALSO TIME TO START SOWING OUTDOORS. JUST
WATCH OUT FOR FROSTS…
Top 10 jobs this month Flowers
1. Keep weeds under control
2. Protect fruit blossom from late frosts
3. Tie in climbing and rambling roses
4. Sow hardy annuals, herbs and wild flower
seed outdoors
5. Start to feed citrus plants
6. Increase the water given to houseplants
7. Feed hungry shrubs and roses
8. Sow new lawns or repair bare patches
9. Prune fig trees
10. Divide bamboos and waterlilies Hardy annuals can be sown in pots or modules to
provide colour in the garden. Modular trays are
useful for sowing half-hardy summer bedding plants
such as marigolds (Tagetes), Lobelia, and Petunia. Label
each seed tray. You will need to sow them under
cover, or in a heated propagator, at the correct
temperature, only putting them outside when the
weather is reliably warm day and night.
Lawns Towards the end of the month, in mild areas, you
may be able to plant up hanging baskets for the
summer. When planting hanging baskets use slow-
release fertiliser and water-retaining gel.
Mow lawns when necessary – whenever the grass is
growing; the aim is to maintain a constant height
throughout the year. Repair the lawn edges using a
half-moon edging iron or spade to create a 7.5cm
(3in) ‘gutter’ around the lawn. This will prevent grass
creeping from the lawn into borders. Repair bumps
and hollows by peeling back the turf, removing or
adding soil, and then replacing the turf. Plant summer-flowering bulbs, if not done already.
Prepare the soil first, to ensure that drainage is
sufficient to prevent the bulbs rotting. Anemone coronaria
tubers, for instance, need particularly well-drained
soils. You can still plant herbaceous perennials such
as Geranium, Astrantia and oriental poppies. Check
that the plants you buy have strong, green shoots
and plant them into well-prepared soil.
Apply a high nitrogen spring lawn fertiliser at the
beginning of the month to encourage good, strong
growth. If moss is a problem choose a combined
fertiliser and mosskiller. April is the best month to
apply lawn weedkiller. Houseplants
Begin feeding citrus plants with a citrus feed, or use
a high-nitrogen feed with added trace elements.
Increase the watering of indoor and conservatory
plants as days lengthen. Check if plants need watering
at least every few days. Start using liquid feeds once
plants show signs of growth.
Pot up houseplants showing signs of being root-
bound or top dress large containers with fresh
compost. Clean shiny-leaved plants with a damp
cloth and spiky plants with a soft brush.
Cool conditions and regular watering will help keep
potted indoor azaleas looking good for longer.
Remember to water azaleas with rainwater rather
than tap water if you live in a hard water area.
The RHS is a UK charity established to share
the best in gardening. Their work is driven by
a simple love of plants and the belief that
gardeners make the world a better place.
For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk
137