With its typical showers, sunnier days and some overnight frosts, April can be a very mixed month indeed and May is much the same. At one extreme, record-breaking temperatures were recorded in some parts of the country over the Easter weekend, but don’t be surprised to wake up to find the ground covered in a blanket of snow over the coming weeks.
At this unpredictable time of year, some of the most useful jobs to concentrate on are detailed below:
Floral displays
Transplant out any autumn-sown sweet peas, or sow them straight into the base of supports. Remember that hardy annuals can be sewn in or out of doors, according to directions on the seed packet.
For your semi-hardy annuals, sow them in trays to keep in the greenhouse or on a windowsill, and plant hanging baskets. For the time being, keep them in the greenhouse to grow and avoid frosts.
Remove any daffodil flowers, but leave flowers on other bulbs like snowdrops and crocus for naturalisation.
The veggie patch
Herbs such as dill, coriander and parsley can be sown in a sunny spot or pot. You can also start to sow outdoor chillies, tomatoes and courgettes in pots for later planting out.
Plant your onions, shallots and garlic in dry soil, and your beetroot, broccoli, cabbages, carrots and peas can be sown directly
Courgettes, pumpkins, marrows and squashes can be sown now too, as long as you have a heated greenhouse.
Lastly, don’t forget to enjoy your garden. Sit back on your Outback reclining chairs and soak up the sights, sounds and smells of spring.
