April Gardening: Planting, Feeding & Getting Ready for Summer

April Gardening: Planting, Feeding & Getting Ready for Summer

April Gardening Guide

1. Watch for Frost – Warmer days are here, but chilly mornings can still damage young plants. Hold off on planting tender seedlings outdoors just yet.

2. Time to Plant – Now’s the perfect time to sow hardy vegetables (lettuce, beetroot, peas, potatoes) and spring flowers. Start hardening off indoor seedlings.

3. Feed for Growth – Roses, camellias, and rhododendrons need feeding now for strong blooms. Use Gee-Up manure or ericaceous feed for acid-loving plants.

4. Tackle Weeds Early – A few minutes of weeding now saves hours later! Grab organic mulch or compost to suppress regrowth.

5. Shop Smart – Need seeds, compost, or plant food? Visit Rockbarton Garden Centre for expert advice and quality products to get your garden thriving!

April Gardening: Planting, Feeding & Getting Ready for Summer

The longer days and brighter skies mean one thing—spring is in full swing! April is a fantastic time to get out in the garden, whether you’re planting, weeding, or just enjoying the fresh air. But before you rush to put everything outside, keep an eye on the forecast—those clear nights can still bring sneaky frosts! Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your garden this April.

Time to Start Planting

April is perfect for planting, whether you’re sowing flowers, vegetables, or adding new plants to your beds. If you’ve been growing seedlings indoors, it’s time to start hardening them off—bringing them outside during the day and back in at night—to help them adjust to outdoor temperatures. After about two weeks, and once the risk of hard frost has passed, they’ll be ready to stay outside full-time.

If you’re looking to grow your own food, now’s a great time to plant lettuce, beetroot, peas, potatoes, and herbs—all of which we have in stock at Rockbarton Garden Centre. And remember, only grow what you’ll eat—there’s no point in planting beetroot if no one in the house likes it (though roasted with rosemary, it’s delicious!).

Feed Your Plants for the Best Blooms

Your plants are waking up, and they’re hungry! Feeding them now will make a huge difference to their growth and flowers later in the season. Roses, in particular, need a good feed to encourage strong stems and beautiful blooms—try a high-quality feed like Gee-Up or organic compost to give them a boost.

If you have camellias or rhododendrons, they need a little extra care since they prefer acidic soil. Use an ericaceous feed and compost to keep them happy. We have everything you need in-store to get your plants growing strong and healthy!

Tackle the Weeds Before They Take Over

Weeding isn’t the most fun job, but getting on top of them now will save you a headache later. Even five minutes a day makes a difference—I’ve been known to set a timer on my phone to keep it quick and manageable! If you can get someone to help (bribery with chocolate buttons works wonders), even better.

Watch for Frost & Protect Your Plants

As tempting as it is to start filling pots and beds with new plants, April still has the occasional frost. If you’ve already put out tender plants, have some horticultural fleece or cloches handy to protect them on chilly nights. For anything still in pots, just move them into a sheltered spot if frost is on the way.

Enjoy Your Spring Garden

April is a time of growth and colour—flowers blooming, bees buzzing, and longer evenings to enjoy your outdoor space. Take a moment to appreciate how much the garden has changed since winter. And if you need advice on what to plant, what to feed, or how to protect your garden, pop into Rockbarton Garden Centre—we’re here to help!

Here’s to a season of growth, colour, and plenty of time in the garden! 🌿🌼

Lynbda

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