Gardening guru Monty Don says there are a number of jobs you can sort now during the ‘April glow’ to ensure you have a thriving garden in summer this year
Gardening expert Monty Don says gardeners should be starting their outdoor jobs ahead of summer now.
Spring has officially sprung so you may have notice the sun starting to peep through the clouds and some of your flowers starting to bloom. As the weather begins to improve, Monty says now is the perfect time to get your garden in good shape ahead of summertime.
The horticultiral guru says people should be prioritising planting flowers, feeding birds, and limiting lawn mowing. What’s more, he suggests lifting spring bulbs to save for next year.
Writing in his blog, he said: “Even the rain, the endless rain, is less depressing, coming in showers rather than days or downpour. Above all, April glows with rich emerald green of new foliage like the most wonderful stained glass.”
He continued: “The important thing is to get on top of things. So cut the grass, weed as much as possible, get perennial plants in the ground, finish mulching, sow some seeds – but in a manageable, enjoyable way. Keep it simple. There is still time to spare.”
Monty has detailed a number jobs that should be on your gardening to-do list this month – listed below.
Mist houseplants
Monty says it is important to mist houseplants this month. His insists that a cool spot, out of direct sunlight, is likely to be “more congenial” for all evergreen plants from tropical regions.
He suggested getting a mist sprayer which holds at least a litre of water and has a trigger action. If you use this a couple of times a day it will give your plants excellent moisture and help them to thrive. Using a mister does mean that humid air could damage furnishings or surfaces, so Monty suggests placing the plants in a bathroom or kitchen.
Limit mowing the lawn
The pro says he is “all for mowing as little as possible”, saying that having longer grass is “one of the best environments for a huge diversity of wildlife” in our gardens. He told people to “resist the temptation to scalp your grass down to its midsummer height”, saying when the weather gets warmer the grass starts to grow stronger.
Monty Don claims that mowing the lawn in this way “will result in much healthier and greener grass”.
Givie bulbs a tidy up
Although Monty advises cutting back on the foliage of bulbs which have flowered, he says you can lift them to save for next year. Suggesting how to do so, Monty said: “You can lift the bulbs, foliage, bulb and roots and pot them into a container which can then be put to one (sunny) side to die back and feed next year’s bulb without leaving an unsightly mass of dying foliage in a prime position for the next few months.”
When the foliage has died back, the bulbs can be stored in a pot – ensure they do not get too wet and replant them in autumn time.
Deadhead rhododendrons and azaleas
Monty says one of the most “simple” yet “overlooked” jobs is deadheading Rhododendrons and Azaleads. Doing this job will help extend the life of the plants and ensure they do not waste their energies into seed production.
Removing the withered flowers also reduces the risk of fungal infections and also removes unsightly dead flowers that can hang onto the shrub for days or even weeks.
Planting sweet peas
In a couple of weeks time, Monty says you should add planting sweat peas to your gardening list. He explained that sweet peas grow best in rich soil with plenty of moisture and cool conditions. He also suggests dividing the seeds into two or three pots in a bid to get strong, healthy individual plants.
Speaking about his method, Monty said: “I like to grow mine up bean sticks arranged as a wigwam but any support will do from bamboo canes to chicken wire. I plant two or three plants to each stick or support and water them in very well before mulching them thickly to keep them weed-free and to stop them drying out.”
Potting lillies
Expert Monty says April is the peak time for planting lilies in a bid to get the best, most beautiful flower displays. But it is not as simple as throwing a few bulbs into a pot with soil – lilies thrive in more acidic conditions and like loose compost. “I achieve this by mixing in plenty of leafmould and grit into a bark-based general purpose compost but just adding perlite or vermiculite will help greatly,” Monty explained.
He suggested to plant the bulbs in about four inches of compost – above the crown – and put them in a shaded area. Keep watering them until the buds start to show in May and June.
Feed birds
At this time of year birds will be nesting and laying eggs. He suggests putting out flakes of cheese and breadcrumbs if you do not have any conventional bird food.
Have you tried the gardening hacks? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
