April gardening jobs checklist
April is one of the most exciting months in our gardening calendar.
With longer days, warmer soil and plants bursting into life, it’s the perfect time to get stuck into the key jobs that will set your garden up for the months ahead.
While spring is now well underway, frosts remain a possibility across much of the UK, so April gardening is a careful balance of encouraging new growth while staying aware of the weather, even with the warmer weather we’re having, some days it may still be chilly overnight. It’s very variable and a snap frost could still happen.
- Harden off seedlings
Start placing seedlings outdoors during the day and bringing them back inside at night for seven to 10 days to prepare them for planting out.
- Direct sow hardy vegetables
Sow carrots, beetroot, peas and broad beans directly into the warming soil.
- Plant summer‑flowering bulbs
Get dahlias, lilies and other summer bulbs into the ground so they have time to establish for vibrant summer displays.
- Give the lawn its first mow
For many of us the grass has already reached the optimum height for mowing, which is around five-seven centimetres, however the ground may have been too wet until now to allow any mowing. There should be an opportunity soon to mow on a high setting to encourage a thicker, healthier turf. Mow weekly from now on but leave a bit to grow wild to support wildlife in your garden
- Apply a spring lawn feed
Boost your lawn’s post‑winter growth with a nitrogen‑rich spring fertiliser.
- Weed and tidy borders
Remove weeds while they’re still small and add mulch to keep them under control and retain moisture. Mulch with bark or compost.
- Prune spring‑flowering shrubs
Cut back shrubs immediately after they finish blooming to encourage strong flowering next year.
- Ventilate the greenhouse
Open vents on sunny days to prevent overheating but monitor temperatures closely as nights can still be cold.
- Protect tender plants from late frosts
Keep fleece handy and move pots to sheltered areas, as frost risk remains until mid‑May in many areas.
Get more free advice
If you need further assistance, the teams at our member garden centres are happy to help, please visit or get in touch with your nearest GCA member garden centre.
Click here to find one and enjoy your gardening!