1. Keeping weeds under control

Although it would be hard to list all of the ways you can prevent weeds, by following these few tips, you should be able to keep them to a small number and certainly under control! Using a thick mulch over your soil and covering large areas with plastic will prevent weeds germinating and spreading. For those annual weeds which can live dormantly in the soil waiting for the correct conditions, regular turning of the soil will help destroy them so long as you find the roots as well. Many herbicides will also help but can damage plants so do us these cautiously.

2. Protect fruit blossoms from late frosts

Late frosts harming fruit trees is a common problem in winter for people who are looking forward to a good crop! – One of the most effective solutions is to cover the tree with fleeces held down by battens and then poly sheets from the top down to the widest part, and if your tree is already affected, cut away any infected or dead leaves as soon as possible!

3. Tying in rambling roses

Maintaining rambling roses is entirely different to normal rose bushes or plants, the secret is to train as much growth horizontally as possible. These roses are not self-supporting and will need trellis or poles to be trained along, or perhaps wires. Whichever direction you choose to grow them in, gently twist the main shoots around the nearest support to encourage flowering shoots lower down. Climbing roses should not be pruned too much unless there is damaged growth or rotting matter beneath. If any main stems are slow to branch, just tip-prune them down to the first strong bud.

4. Sow hardy annuals and herb seeds

In April hardy annuals can be sown to flourish during the later months of the year, and the pattern can be linear by sowing individual plants 6-18inches apart or in irregular patches which will look more abstract and wild. Once bedded, they should be covered with a light top soil or compost and if protection is needed, covered with fleeces or cloches if needed

5. Feed citrus plants

Citrus plants will thrive if watered thoroughly throughout summer, and then left to dry out over winter. Feeding in spring can begin with special citrus feed once a week although always take care to not over-water citrus plants and keep them well away from any frosts; off the ground and in a conservatory or greenhouse if possible.

6. Increase the water given to houseplants

As houseplants depend solely on gardeners to survive, a monthly programme throughout the year can be beneficial to stick to and the general rule in April is to increase the watering whilst being careful not to drown the roots or prompt root-rot. It is also wise to treat houseplants to a little fertiliser in April and tidy up any leaves or dying stems.

7. Feed hungry shrubs and roses

Shrubs and roses will be coming out of their dormant season in April and will therefore require more regular feeding and will do better with small amounts of fertiliser as well. Using a hoe to gently work the fertiliser granules into the soil will help keep them going should any late-spring frosts occur as well. Be aware that spider-mites often appear in April on roses and with being as small as a grain of salt, they can be difficult to detect. A daily washing with miticide or a waterwand will help keep them healthy.

8. Sow new lawns and repair bald patches

If you are experiencing loss of grass on your lawn or perhaps bald patches near the edges, the best thing to do is to sow new areas as soon as possible. To repair lawns, firstly remove the damaged area by cutting a clean patch around it with shears early in Spring and then turn it 180 degrees so the frayed edges can re-generate next to normal grass/turf with the new ‘edge’ looking great. If the quality of the grass is generally really poor then replace it altogether with healthy freshly-seeded turf.

9. Prune fig trees

Once a fig tree is established, it will benefit from some very specific pruning as follows; begin by pruning any low suckers sprouting from the base and then go on to remove any secondary branches (from main branches) growing at less than 45 degree angles, as these will likely grow too close to the trunk and not produce good fruit. The final step is to cut the main branches back to 1/3 or 1/4 of their length which allows more energy to reach the fruit quickly. All of this should help to produce healthy and tasty fruit if maintained each year!

10. Divide bamboos and waterlilies

When dividing bamboo, ensure you have a very sharp spade or gardening knife to dig around the existing clump and separate the bamboo carefully. Always have 3 or more culms (stalks) in any one clump and have each clump lifted with as much root and foliage as possible as bamboo can be trcicky to propagate. Then re-plant individual clumps into fertilised well-drained soil and have the root ball just above the surface with the roots squeezed in tight beneath. The exact same method is used for waterlilies, and these will then go on to produce new and healthier pads if separated once every couple of years.