Pete's Piece - Down the Garden Path - April 2011

The month of April is probably one of the most exciting months for gardeners with new plants bursting into life daily and a mixture of new foliage and flowers appearing everywhere. For those that listen, a real change in birdsong can be heard this month, and bees and other insects start to become active - but beware - April is often a cruel month weather-wise and plant damage can occur.

Monthly reminders
Newly planted trees and shrubs - this can be a deceiving month with cool but very dry spells making us forgetful. Do remember to water all newly planted trees and shrubs regularly as they could dry out very quickly this month despite it being cool. Roses - start treatment against black spot this month including soil beneath the bushes. Complete pruning early this month.

Summer bulbs and tubers
There is still time to plant these for some exotic blossoms in the summer. A full range is on sale at Farnborough. Alpine and herbaceous plants - now is an excellent time to plant new borders or rockeries or add to your existing areas. A wide selection of plants are now arriving at Farnborough in a choice of sizes.

Ponds
If you intend to create a new pond or restock an existing pond, this is a good time to commence planting.

A full range of plants will start to appear here this month:
Sweet Peas - Sweet peas that have been over-wintered can be planted out this month and seed can be sown. If you prefer to use young plants, then these will become available this month.

Hanging baskets and containers - If you have a greenhouse or conservatory, you can start planting your summer containers this month. They must, however, be kept indoors until all danger of frost has passed. A wide range of plants are now on sale, but should you decide that you want your basket made up for you, don’t delay as we have a maximum space for baskets and have to close our customer list once this is reached.

Vegetables - lots of vegetable plants will be on sale at Farnborough now for use under glass or out of doors. Even if your garden is small, try and give some space to grow fresh vegetables. The special taste of home-grown vegetables may surprise you.

Plants looking good this month:-
Species Clematis - flowers
Magnolias (all types) - flowers
Cystus (broom) - flowers
Amelanchier lamarkii - flowers andfoliage
Flowering Cherries - flowers
Malus (crab apple) - flowers
Rhododendron - flowers
Viburnum - flower

The above are but a few of the plants on sale here that are looking good now, so why not pop out and pay us a visit when we shall be pleased to offer and help or advise that you may require.

Finally our spring range of clematis are now in stock including many new and unusual varieties.


This article has been kindly written by Farnborough Garden Centre

> Return to articles