Garden Jobs in April with Modeste Herwig – planting, lawn care and dahlias

Garden jobs in April with Modeste Herwig: planting, lawn care and dahlias

In April, everything seems to happen at once in the garden – it’s the busiest time of year for gardeners. There’s planting to be done, weeds to tackle, pruning, starting dahlias indoors, caring for the lawn and generally getting things back in shape. Amid all the tasks, don’t forget to enjoy the fresh green shoots of perennials, the swelling buds on rhododendrons, and the bulbs that are now in full bloom.

Planting

Now that the soil is warming up, it’s time to plant borders and beds. Planting might seem straightforward, but a few simple tips can help give your plants the best possible start. First, soak the pot in a bucket of water. Then remove the plant from the pot and gently loosen the roots. Dig a generous hole and improve the soil with compost or potting mix. Place the plant at the correct height – the top of the root ball should be level with the soil surface. Firm the soil around the roots and water thoroughly to eliminate air pockets.

Lawn care

The lawn can usually be mown for the first time in April. Cut the blades of grass to around 5 cm. Later in the season, aim for 2–2.5 cm for an ornamental lawn, or 4 cm for a play lawn. Once a week is usually enough, though an ornamental lawn may benefit from mowing twice weekly. Remove clippings with a rake or collect them in a grass box. From late April through to the end of August, feed monthly with lawn fertiliser, or use a slow-release product – ideally just before it rains.

Starting dahlias indoors

The flowering time of dahlias depends largely on when they’re planted. If you plant tubers outdoors in May, the flowers will appear later in the summer. For earlier blooms from July onwards, start them indoors in April. Plant them in pots with fresh compost and place them somewhere warm, watering sparingly. The warmth encourages them to sprout. Since dahlias can’t tolerate frost, keep them indoors until early May. Gradually acclimatise the young plants to outdoor temperatures – this process is known as hardening off.

Garden tip for April

Labelling

It’s easy to remember the name of a plant when you’ve just bought or sown it. But later on, it’s easy to forget – so adding a label is a great habit. Write the plant’s name on it – either in Dutch or, for precision, the full botanical name. Use a clearly legible garden pencil or a waterproof marker to make sure the label lasts.

April flowers

• Leopard's bane, Doronicum orientale
• Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
• Daffodils
• Tulips
• Moss phlox, Phlox subulata
• Pasque flower, Pulsatilla vulgaris
• Japanese cherry, Prunus serrulata
• Rhododendron and azalea
• Foamflower, Tiarella cordifolia

Text: Modeste Herwig.