Recommended Tasks and Hints for April 2021

• Start off half hardy annual such as cosmos, marigolds and zinnias.

• Cover newly planted veg with fleece - use a heavyweight one ( 30 - 50 gsm) as it's less likely to rip.

• Hunting for snails and slugs - keep an eye out for the round white eggs in the ground or pots - don't confuse them with yellow or brown slow release fertiliser.

• All types of potato can be planted in April. Plant 15 - 25 cm deep.

• Provide calcium for birds - at egg laying time it's useful to provide them with crushed eggshell.

• Feed spring bulbs - feeding makes a big difference to how well the bulbs flower next year. Use a tomato feed and don't cut back the foliage until it turns brown naturally.

• From mid April it's time to sow many tender veg indoors. Cucumbers, courgettes, basil, sweetcorn, squash and tomatoes for growing outdoors. Don't sow beans outdoors until May.

• Finally try to keep on top of the weeding - using a good depth mulch helps suffocate most weeds.