As April showers give way to warmer days, green-fingered enthusiasts across Britain have a golden opportunity to set the stage for a spectacular summer display. According to gardening experts, tackling three key tasks now can make all the difference between a mediocre garden and a breathtaking oasis.
1. The Great Divide: Multiply Your Perennials
Early spring presents the perfect window for dividing congested perennial plants. This simple yet effective technique not only rejuvenates tired clumps but also provides you with free plants to fill gaps elsewhere in your borders.
Why now? The soil is warming up, providing ideal conditions for plants to establish new roots before summer's heat arrives. Focus on herbaceous perennials like hostas, sedums, and ornamental grasses that have become too large or are flowering less vigorously.
2. Rose Care: Prune for Perfect Blooms
April marks the critical period for rose maintenance that will determine your summer floral display. Proper pruning and feeding now will reward you with abundant, healthy blooms throughout the season.
Expert tip: After pruning, apply a specialist rose fertiliser and mulch around the base of plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. This combination gives your roses the nutrients they need for vigorous growth and stunning flowers.
3. Lawn Revival: From Patchy to Perfect
Your lawn is waking from its winter slumber, and April care sets the foundation for lush, green turf all summer. The three-step approach to lawn perfection involves:
- Aeration: Spike compacted areas to improve drainage and oxygen flow to roots
- Scarification: Remove thatch and moss to allow new grass to thrive
- Feeding: Apply a spring lawn fertiliser to encourage strong, healthy growth
Gardening professionals emphasise that consistency is key. Regular attention to these tasks throughout April will ensure your garden becomes the envy of the neighbourhood when summer arrives. The effort you invest now will pay dividends in colour, fragrance, and beauty for months to come.
