Now is the time to prune your shrubs to keep them in hand and to stimulate new growth.

Whilst in the mood dead head your daffodils, leaving the stems and leaves to channel energy into the bulbs for flowers for next season. Have a go at the pansies too, it will keep them flowering.
In order to get more of those pent up energies start working compost into borders and between the shrubs, getting ready for planting out summer bedding in May. Think about planting gladioli and dahlias. Then have a cup of tea.

You also need to start feeding your garden as nutrients (technical word for food) will have been washed away over the winter. A general fertiliser will be good, but not too much nitrogen, especially on lawns or you will be spending the summer behind a lawn mower, could be a bonus, it will keep you fit, garden aerobics. A high nitrogen feed will make them look greener and this is the standard advice for the end of April.

Plants in pots, planters etc do need plenty of fertiliser and water, especially during warm weather.

It is time to plant perennials and after the risk of frost has passed, your annuals. This used to be around mid-April, though with global warming who knows?

Harden off bedding plants carefully especially if you buy them in and don’t grow your own.

When choosing plants for your garden you can also do your bit for the environment. Butterflies and other insects feed on their nectar and pollen so choose wisely. The following plants are recognised as being particular attractive:

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.

And a suggested mix from our selection would include the verbena mixed, lobelia, lavender and of course buddleia, the butterfly bush (say no more).