Gardening in April: What to do and what to plant?

The gradually warming weather and longer daylight hours are a signal to get gardening, and if you need inspiration, April is a good time to visit grand gardens. Here are some tasks you may want to add to your to-do list this month.

What to do in the garden in April:

• Check tree ties to make sure they are not too tight and damaging the trunk, especially after windy weather
• Get hoeing to keep fast-growing weeds at bay, the warming weather means they will be emerging. Start working the surface of the soil before the first leaves appear
• Assess lawns for winter damage. Sow grass seeds to repair bare patches
• Prepare the vegetable plot for the growing season by digging in well-rotted manure or composted green waste
• Cover unused seed beds with horticultural fleece to warm the soil and encourage weed seeds to germinate so they can be removed before sowing
• While rainfall is in abundance, place a good layer of mulch around perennial plants, trees and shrubs to help lock in moisture before the arrival of warmer weather
• Deadhead tulips and any remaining daffodils once the flowers have gone over, but allow the leaves to die back naturally to ensure plenty of energy is returned to the bulbs
• Make sure to mulch shrub beds with a good layer of organic material, such as home-made or quality shop-bought compost
• Feed hungry shrubs and roses with balanced fertilisers; when well fed and cared for, they burst into growth
• Sow hardy annuals and wildflower seeds outdoors once the weather starts to warm up
• If not done during the autumn, there’s still time to split perennials or transfer plants growing in the wrong places so that they have time to get their roots down ahead of the summer heat
• Dahlia tubers can be planted now: try dramatic ‘Chat Noir’ or the lemon and honey shades of yellow ‘Clair de Lune’ to give your garden that French twist
• Divide primroses after flowering and plant around the garden
• Tie in climbing and rambling roses to a horizontal position to encourage more flowers to grow  from side shoots. Give all roses a feed to encourage healthy growth

Things to plant in April

In April in France, you can plant a variety of vegetables such as beetroot, carrots, leeks, peas, tomatoes, lettuce, radishes, peppers, snow peas, onions, squash, and green beans. You can also sow annuals and perennials like zinnias, sunflowers, and cosmos for colourful blooms.

Did you manage to get all of your March tasks done? Maybe it’s good to make a start on your to-do list for May too…

Looking for more on gardening?

The climate in France is generally milder than the UK, allowing for a wider variety of plants to thrive. Many properties in France come with large gardens, providing ample space for various gardening activities. So if you’re looking for inspiration or information, take a look at our gardening page