april

April Flower Garden  

· Prepare Autumn flower beds prior to planting with compost and a dressing of Novatec.

· If you haven’t sprayed for Thrip during the Summer now is the time to get busy with Mavrik and Enspray Oil, especially on Rhododendron and Evergreen Viburnums.

· Dahlia tubers and Gladioli corms can be lifted and stored in a dry place if you want to replant these areas.

· Perfect time for planting Tulips – they like it when it gets a little cooler.  Plant with Daltons Bulb Mix or Tui Bulb Fertiliser (garden beds only).

· Cut back daisies, geraniums and other flowers that have finished flowering for tidy foliage into winter.

· Prune shrubs once finished flowering.

· Trim, lift and divide perennials where necessary.

· New season Camellias are in this month – great time to find the perfect plant, they are so accommodating.

· Perfect time to sow Lawns – see in-store display.

· Plant Autumn and Winter flowering annuals – pansies, polyanthus, primulas, stock and Spring flowering bulbs.

April Edible Garden

· Sow green crops in vacant areas of your vegetable gardens such as Mustard or Blue Lupin – once dug in they will increase the Nitrogen level in your soil. Perfect for refreshing your vegetable garden.

· Plant out young plants of brussel sprouts, cabbages, cauliflowers, onions, broccoli, silverbeet, celery and spinach.

· Sow seeds of beetroot, broccoli, broad beans, cabbage, carrots, onions, radish, spinach, Swedes and turnips.

· Protect young seedlings from slugs and snails with Slug Slam.

· Try planting Kale as a winter alternative to Cabbage.

· Now is the time that Citrus make prolific growth. Fertilise with ican Slow Food, it provides a constant source of fertiliser for 2 years!

· See our new season Citrus Trees – plant now before the cold weather.

· Dig Kumara before first frosts. Dry them in the sun for a few days then store in dry sawdust.

· Late April - clear away runner beans, tomatoes , peppers and eggplants, turnover soil and replant.