Get organised
Knowing what grows well in the your garden and when is really important. With 12 months a year and lots of fruit and veg on offer, remembering what, when and where can be tricky. That's why we've put together this seasonal calendar. You can check what you could be growing this month, and what you should be planning later in the year.
April
Vegetable Garden
It’s early April so it’s time to plant your mange tout, broad beans, beetroot, lettuce, parsnips, onions, peas, spinach, radish, turnips and herbs under cloches. You can also plant brussel sprouts, summer cauliflower and cabbage in a seedbed (ready to move them in May). Potatoes – Plant out potatoes in late...
It’s early April so it’s time to plant your mange tout, broad beans, beetroot, lettuce, parsnips, onions, peas, spinach, radish, turnips and herbs under cloches. You can also plant brussel sprouts, summer cauliflower and cabbage in a seedbed (ready to move them in May). Potatoes – Plant out potatoes in late...
Bedding Plants
Plant fast-growing flowers directly into the ground for summer colour. Zinnias, Cosmos and Snapdragons all produce great flowers. Bedding plants can be moved out from the greenhouse into the soil beds, but keep the fleece handy for late frosts.
Plant fast-growing flowers directly into the ground for summer colour. Zinnias, Cosmos and Snapdragons all produce great flowers. Bedding plants can be moved out from the greenhouse into the soil beds, but keep the fleece handy for late frosts.
Bulbs
Give bulbs a good watering when the buds begin to appear. This will encourage larger blooms and taller stems.
Give bulbs a good watering when the buds begin to appear. This will encourage larger blooms and taller stems.
Climbing Plants
Get your clematis to grow up a fence, wall or host plant by placing four canes in the soil (around the plant) and tying strong shoots to it with garden twine. Now is the perfect time to plant out young Sweet Peas for a scented summer.
Get your clematis to grow up a fence, wall or host plant by placing four canes in the soil (around the plant) and tying strong shoots to it with garden twine. Now is the perfect time to plant out young Sweet Peas for a scented summer.
Containers
Plant hanging baskets with your favourite summer flowers. Place your baskets outside after the last frost to get used to the temperature and water daily. If you’d prefer, you can buy pre-planted hanging baskets at Homebase.
Plant hanging baskets with your favourite summer flowers. Place your baskets outside after the last frost to get used to the temperature and water daily. If you’d prefer, you can buy pre-planted hanging baskets at Homebase.
Fruit
Start to feed citrus plants and if you’ve got a fig tree give it a good prune.
Start to feed citrus plants and if you’ve got a fig tree give it a good prune.
Greenhouse
It's important to get the climate right in your greenhouse. So on warm days open the vents to reduce humidity and help prevent the spread of disease.
It's important to get the climate right in your greenhouse. So on warm days open the vents to reduce humidity and help prevent the spread of disease.
Hedges
Give formal hedges a trim when they're growing well. Once the hedge is cut to the desired shape, water and mulch the base of the plant.
Give formal hedges a trim when they're growing well. Once the hedge is cut to the desired shape, water and mulch the base of the plant.
Herbs
You don't need a lot of space to grow herbs. So start planting your favourite varieties in containers and place in a sunny spot. Check out Homebase for a great range of herb seeds.
You don't need a lot of space to grow herbs. So start planting your favourite varieties in containers and place in a sunny spot. Check out Homebase for a great range of herb seeds.
Lawn
Give your lawn a weekly trim. This will keep the grass thick, green and free of weeds. After mowing, trim any grass that overhangs the edges.
Give your lawn a weekly trim. This will keep the grass thick, green and free of weeds. After mowing, trim any grass that overhangs the edges.
Perennials (winter surviving plants)
As the weather warms up, weeds can quickly take over. Remove weeds with a hoe to prevent them from competing with your plants. Give emerging plants an instant boost with a thick layer of mulch. This will trap in moisture and help prevent beds from drying out during the summer.
As the weather warms up, weeds can quickly take over. Remove weeds with a hoe to prevent them from competing with your plants. Give emerging plants an instant boost with a thick layer of mulch. This will trap in moisture and help prevent beds from drying out during the summer.
Roses
Give your hungry plants a good feed.
Give your hungry plants a good feed.
Shrubs
Spring is a good time to re-pot shrubs with fresh compost (try using John Innes No 3 for long term planting). Lightly cut back the roots, if the plant is has become pot-bound. Make sure you feed hungry shrubs with water and fertiliser if needed.
Spring is a good time to re-pot shrubs with fresh compost (try using John Innes No 3 for long term planting). Lightly cut back the roots, if the plant is has become pot-bound. Make sure you feed hungry shrubs with water and fertiliser if needed.
Trees
Bring the wow factor to your garden with a Japanese Maple (Acer). These stunning trees turn a beautiful shade of gold and red in the autumn, and the new growth in late spring has a really vibrant colour too. Available in selected Homebase stores in April & May. Note: Water all...
Bring the wow factor to your garden with a Japanese Maple (Acer). These stunning trees turn a beautiful shade of gold and red in the autumn, and the new growth in late spring has a really vibrant colour too. Available in selected Homebase stores in April & May. Note: Water all...
Vegetables
Now is the time to get your potatoes out. It’s also a good opportunity to plant tomato, courgette, beetroot, peas and asparagus seeds. You could also try growing chillies and peppers in small containers. For a quicker way to get growing, take a look at Homebase’s range of young vegetable plants...
Now is the time to get your potatoes out. It’s also a good opportunity to plant tomato, courgette, beetroot, peas and asparagus seeds. You could also try growing chillies and peppers in small containers. For a quicker way to get growing, take a look at Homebase’s range of young vegetable plants...
April
It’s time to get the following vegetable crops planted outside: lettuce and salad leaves, radishes, kohl rabi, spring cabbage and endive, plus dwarf French beans (for a late crop). Winter spinach can also be planted from now through to September.
Advice
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