Written by John Boon (Burpham Gardening Club)

March & April 2023

Things to do in the garden in March.

• Shallots and Onion sets should be planted this month and if it is mild Early Potatoes can be planted towards the end of the month.

Most vegetable seed can now be sown outdoors if it is mild in prepared beds.

• Most vegetable seed can now be sown outdoors if it is mild in prepared beds.
• If you did not do so last month you can still sow Aubergines, Cucumbers, Sweet Peppers and Tomatoes in a heated propagator or indoors.

When conditions are dry the lawn should be cut with the mower blades on a high setting for the first few cuts…

• Cut back last years Autumn fruiting Raspberry canes to ground level, prune Blueberries and Gooseberries and apply a dressing of a balanced fertiliser or Sulphate of Potash at 15g per sq m.
• Bush and Standard Roses should be pruned and fed with a Rose Fertiliser.
• Continue to prune Summer Flowering Shrubs and Dogwoods.
• When conditions are dry the lawn should be cut with the mower blades on a high setting for the first few cuts, Weed and Feed with Mosskiller should be applied just before rain is forecast.

Things to do in the garden in April.

• Second Early Potatoes should be planted in the first half of the month, Maincrop Potatoes can be planted in the second half.
• Beetroot, Carrots, Leeks, Lettuce, Radish, Spring Onions and Turnip can all be sown outdoors now.
• Brassicas should be sown in small pots ready for transplanting later in the Summer.
• Plant out Broad Beans which were sown indoors.
• Tomato seedlings which have developed their first true leaves should be potted up. Plant Summer flowering bulbs such as Gladioli.
• Remove faded Daffodil and Tulip flowers leaving the foliage to die back.

Plant out Broad Beans which were sown indoors.

• Deadhead Pansy and other Spring bedding plants to encourage continuous flowering. Prune Forsythia immediately after flowering.
• Cut back Lavender to keep the plant bushy but do not cut into old wood.

Continue to apply Lawn Weed and Feed with Mosskiller as necessary.

• Pot up Dahlia Tubers to get an early start once the risk of frost has gone.
• In the Greenhouse sow bedding plants such as French Marigold for a Summer display.
• Continue to apply Lawn Weed and Feed with Mosskiller as necessary.
• Start checking for and controlling Slugs, Snails and Aphids.