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Back to 'jobs this month' index page... April
April is a time when you need to give your heathers a little attention. You can now prune winter-flowering heathers and remove the flower spikes as they fade. If you have had any flowering shrubs that have now finished such as quince or early clematis you can now prune them lightly and tidy up. Check over your roses once again. If there is any frost damage then remove and cut back to healthy buds. I have just fed all my roses and given another treatment of sulphur chips for the black spot. I have yet to see if this method of control for black spot works for it is the first season I have tried it.
Although its been quite wet in some parts of the UK in other areas it has been a dry Spring so far so be careful to ensure that all your plants are watered. They can be damaged for the rest of the season if they are starved of water now. Just in case the temperature should drop during the night, which is quite possible until the end of May, water in the morning. Always remember that you can reduce water loss in soil by giving a good mulch which also helps weed control. Many of you will now have a wonderful display of daffodils but as April dawns we look forward to the tulip month. Combine them with the vivid greens of the euphorbia family for a dazzling display.
If you have planted lilies in pots or have them around the garden watch out for lily beetle (pictured left). It is bright red and can completely ruin your lilies if you don't notice it. You should pick it off if you see it on leaves for once it falls to the ground it is more difficult to spot. (For more information on pests - access here >>) Finally, if you have a lawn it is a good time to feed. If it doesn't rain within a couple of days of you applying the feed then make sure you water it in. Happy gardening. Credit - Picture of Lily Beetle - by Roger Keys. © Reckless Gardener Magazine 2005 Mill Cottage New Media |
The last few days of March were fine and dry in my part of Cumbria and I was able to get out and do a lot of small jobs which I had missed during the earlier part of the month.
If you haven't already done so its time to put wires up against fences/walls to help your climbing roses, clematis or other climbing plants. I put a climbing rose under a metal tower frame last month, so I will watch to see how this works. I am trying this to help bring some height to a rather dull border.
Check out all your containers and give a top dressing of fresh compost and feed. If you dress the surface soil of pots with stone chippings now is a good time to refresh. Buy Online
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