GARDEN CONDITION

April is the month when many will assess the condition of their garden after the winter. The retail outlets are full of potted bulbs and this is a good time to look around your garden, particularly areas viewed from your windows, and fill any gaps with bulbs. Winter pansies that have not faired well can be replaced with bulbs and polyanthus plants: their bright colours will lift your spirits on late grey winter days. Must have winter fl owering shrubs for this time of year are Mahonia x media ‘Charity’, Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ and Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’.

Sweet peas

Those who sowed sweet pea seedlings in a cold frame back in October should nip the tip of the main shoot out at 3 or 4 leaves to ensure strong plants to plant out in early spring. remove the last of the winter vegetables and prepare the ground for spring sowings, covering it with recycled plastic or fleece to help dry and warm it.

Pests

Keep a look out for pests such as leather jackets and cockchafer grubs: good food for friendly robins. Broad beans can be sown now but remember to protect them from the attentions of hungry mice. If the weather turns very cold as they germinate, cover with plastic bottles secured with some adhesive tape and a cane. these make great free mini cloches for any plant.

Maintenance

Meanwhile, check fences and trellises are still in good order after the ravages of winter. Make repairs before the plants grow and give fence panels a coat of preservative stain. Check your mower is in good working order: as the temperature hits 10º C your lawn will start to grow and benefit from a high cut.

Garden vIsitors

Finally, remember the birds are preparing for spring just as your garden runs out of berries and seeds, so put out some bird food and keep the bird bath topped up.