Gardening Advice for April
THE VILLAGE GARDENER
Gardening Advice for April
Tips from Mair Jones of Brynheulog Nurseries:
- Divide hostas before they come into leaf.
- Apply slow release fertilizer to your flower beds.
- Trees are wonderful, but not just outside your window. Check on their final size before buying.
- Invest in a water butt.
- Grow some carrots in a pot; lovely foliage and so sweet to eat.
Craftsman Eric White on what to get right this month:
- Pinch out the tops of sweet peas to make more substantial plants.
- Always read the label on plants so you don’t put it in the wrong place.
- Make sure your young plants are kept watered. Otherwise it is just a waste of money and effort.
- If purchasing a new implement make sure the handle is the right size for you.
- Golden rule. Do not walk past a weed, or the next time you see it, it will have produced offspring.
Do not be fooled by April. We can still have cold nights that will ruin all your hard work of raising tender plants. Just try to be patient, they will soon catch up. Planted up hanging baskets will come on tremendously well in the cold frame or greenhouse. Show gardeners like the late Kenny Condick would never put a hanging basket outside until June. Perennials, which will eventually need support, should be staked early and tied in as they grow. Protect fruit tree blossom with fleece if there is any sign of frost in the weather forecast. When mulching around the trees make sure to keep it away from the stem. Forsythia will still be in flower this month and one of the loveliest displays is at Church Rise, on
the left hand side just after where the shingle starts. This plant needs to be cut back just after flowering as it produces flowers on this year’s new growth. A great time for planting annuals direct to the soil where they will need just a bit of thinning out as they emerge. Mark where you sow these as they could be mistaken for weeds. Lawns will start to look good now after a feed and weed. This is a good time to sow grass seed on any bare patches.
Leaving the EU has created an opportunity for British nurseries to step up to plate. They have known about this situation for quite some time and although the choice may be a little diminished, there is no excuse to put up prices on what is available.
From this month on, there will be people offering garden services. Some will be okay but others will disappoint, so please be careful. If you need help it’s better to have a friend or neighbour recommend someone. British Soil on Station Road will give you advice on the best way forward. For general gardening advice, the best place to find it is at the Twyn yr Odyn allotments. You will never meet a friendlier bunch. They have a wealth of knowledge ready to share – especially Sue and Barry.
On Saturday 1st May from 10.00am, there will be a plant sale at our home in Vennwood Close. Covid regulations in place at that time will be followed. Some friends and fellow growers from the village will be joining us to peddle their best flora. Please ask for advice on the day, with the likes of Joyce, Brian and Sandra, Bruce, Gordon and Ann in attendance. It will be like Gardeners Question Time.
Take care and happy gardening.