Now the big but, the Gregorian calendar was not adopted in England until 1752 but April Fools’ Day was already well established by then. Oh well make your own story up.
Interestingly, or not, the French call April 1 Poisson d’Avril, or “April Fish” and having just returned they celebrate by making chocolate fish filled with surprises!

All of which has nothing to do with gardening. So, unlike last year April to date has been rather kind and almost tropical, well as warm as many summer days last year. Shrubs need pruning to keep them in hand and to stimulate new growth. Daffodils need dead heading, but do not tie up the foliage or trim it off, the daffodil needs it to pour energy into the bulb to prepare it for next years flowers. You can also have a go at the winter pansies to keep them flowering. When the risk of frost has passed, start planting out your annuals.

Summer-flowering bulbs should now be planted out. In mild areas, cover dahlia tubers with about 10cm (4in) of soil, in colder regions, delay planting until the end of April. Make successive plantings of gladioli to extend their flowering season.

If you want a wildlife friendly garden the following will provide food and shelter for a range of insects, including butterlies; alyssum, aster, aubrieta, bedding dahlias, buddleia, candytuft, catmint, common fleabane, daisy, field scabious, forget-me-not, french marigold, honesty, ivy, knapweed, laurel, lobelia, lavender, lilac, marigolds, marjoram, michaelmas daisy, mint, phlox, polyanthus, primrose, privet, red valerian, stocks, sweet rocket, sweet william, verbena, wallflower and zinnia. A suggested mix would include the verbena, lobelia, lavender and of course buddleia, the butterfly bush.

Good quality plants, including bedding, can be bought in a wide range of containers. Remember the smaller the volume of compost these contain the more looking after they need. They dry out quicker so need regular and careful watering. If you cannot plant out when you want you may need to feed as well. Bedding will need hardening off ready for planting out.

I know I have neglected the lawn of late and if moss has become a problem it will quickly smother grass, so action is needed. Buy a chemical moss killer to destroy existing moss, but remember the dead stuff will need to be raked out. Then, stick a fork in to 6 inches or so over the whole area to improve the drainage. Later apply fertiliser and remove any weeds you find. Repeat as necessary but go easy on the fertiliser or you will be forever cutting the grass and life is too short.

Looking forward to May!