Even if April does what it wants - you shouldn't neglect the garden despite the changeable weather. We show what gardening should be done in April.
In April the garden blooms and countless animals crawl out of their winter hiding places in the air and on land. It comes alive in the garden - so gardening is slowly increasing again. Now it is time to make final preparations for the warm season, and there is also a lot to do in the vegetable patch. We have put together the best gardening tips for April for you.
The vegetable garden in April
Whereas the vegetable garden was often only sparsely planted in winter, it slowly gets really full again in April: numerous vegetable plants need to be sown or replanted. Of course, the newcomers also need enough care to grow and thrive - a lot of work that awaits us in the bed in April. So that you don't lose track, we have summarized the most important gardening work in April for you.
What to sow in April?
In April you can already sow a variety of vegetable plants. While heat-loving plants such as bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), melon (Cucumis melo) or courgettes (Cucurbita pepo subsp. pepo) prefer to stay indoors or be sown in the warm cold frame, more robust types of vegetables such as peas (Pisum sativum), carrots ( Daucus carota subsp. sativus) or spinach (Spinacia oleracea) can be planted directly in the bed. In our small sowing calendar we have summarized for you which types of vegetables can be sown in April. You can find out how to build a cold frame yourself in our special article.
What to sow in April?
Sow on the windowsill or in the cold frame/greenhouse: French beans, fennel, cucumber, kohlrabi, herbs, pumpkin, corn, melon, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, runner beans, pointed cabbage, tomatoes , zucchini, aubergine, corn
Sowing directly into the bed: Lettuce, broccoli,Peas, spring onions, turnips, chard, carrots, palm cabbage, parsley root, radish, beetroot, Brussels sprouts, spinach, pointed cabbage, root parsley
Tip: Use a high-quality seed compost for planting, such as our peat-free and sustainable Plantura organic herb & seed compost. Your young plants are optimally cared for.
What to plant in April?
Those who were already busy in February and March can now slowly harvest the first fruits of their labor: Pre-plants from the windowsill, including various salads, chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) but also cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis), can slowly make their way to April find outside. However, not all early plants are ready for the big move in April: frost-sensitive plants such as tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) and aubergines (Solanum melongena) you should wait until the ice saints in May before planting. You can start planting the first potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) from the beginning of April. However, the temperature of the soil should be at least 7 °C for planting the seed potatoes.
What to plant in April? Cauliflower, fennel, potatoes, kohlrabi, chard, salads, chives, pointed cabbage, onion sets
Tip: Some early plantings such as tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), aubergine (Solanum melongena ), peppers (Capsicum) or Andean berries (Physalis peruviana) should only be planted out after the ice saints in May. However, to ensure that they are not exposed to a temperature shock, you should start hardening off the plantlets as early as March. Put the plants outside on days when the temperature does not drop below 8 °C. However, be aware of the risk of sunburn.
Seasonal vegetables in April
A lot can already be harvested in April: Fresh lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa), delicious asparagus ( Asparagus officinalis) and he althy spinach (Spinacia oleracea) come freshly harvested from the garden directly to our kitchen. In the greenhouse, on the other hand, the first radishes (Raphanus sativus var. sativus) and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris subsp .vulgaris) on their harvest. Even if you don't have your own garden, it's a good idea to buy seasonal vegetables. so canprotect the climate and the environment.
Which vegetables can be harvested in April?
Outdoor harvest: Leaf lettuce, chicory, leek, asparagus, spinach
Harvest in the greenhouse: Lambs lettuce, kohlrabi, celeriac, chard, radishes
Other gardening work in the vegetable patch
Of course, gardening in April isn't just about harvesting and sowing vegetables. Here we have summarized further important gardening work in the vegetable patch for the gardening month of April:
Get your raised bed ready: If you haven't already done so in March, April is the time to get your raised bed in shape. Not only newly created raised beds have to be filled now - even with older raised beds, it is advisable to compensate for the difference in height due to the sagging of the soil with new substrate - a good vegetable soil, such as our Plantura organic tomato & vegetable soil, is ideal for this.
Tip: The entire substrate of the raised bed should be replaced after about five to seven years.
Turn over and apply compost: Any compost you have not yet applied in autumn can now be applied to your beds. Compost set up over the winter can now be turned over in April.
Prick out tomatoes: If you prefer tomatoes on the windowsill, you should prick out the tomatoes as soon as they have developed the first real leaves. The plants can be carefully lifted out of the ground with a pricking stick or a knitting needle and then placed in their own pots.
The ornamental garden in April
The ornamental garden is a real joy in April: the numerous flowers that bloom in April enchant us with their beguiling scent and their captivating play of colours. In order for this beauty to endure, you can't let gardening slip in April, of course. From sowing to fertilizing, there is also a lot to do in the ornamental garden at this time of year.
What's blooming in April?
By April at the latest, the flowering period has really begun. The first early bloomers have already said goodbye. Instead, tulips (Tulipa), hyacinths (Hyacinthus) and daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) are now ringing in Easter a. Also cushion phlox (Phlox subulata), forget-me-nots (Myosotis) and blue cushion (Aubrieta) show up now in April at their best. To the plants that bloom in April,but also include numerous opulent flowering shrubs and trees such as the wisteria (Wisteria) or the bridal spire (Spiraea arguta).
What flowers bloom in April?
Flowers and Perennials: Anemones, Bluecushion, Daisies, Hyacinth, Iris, Crocus, Dandelion, Narcissus, Daffodil, Cushion Phlox, Primrose, Chessflower, Tulip, Forget-me-not
Shrubs and Shrubs: Wisteria, Bridal Spire, Forsythia, Bell Hazel, Judas Tree, Almond Tree, Tulip Tree, Tulip Magnolia, Cherry Tree
What flowers can you plant in April?
When the ornamental garden shines in colorful blooms in April, you could almost forget that now is the time to sow and plant new residents in the garden. But if you also want to enjoy blooming beds in summer and autumn, you should use April for gardening: numerous annual summer flowers have to be sown in April so that they can present their colorful flowers throughout the year. But some perennials also have to be planted in April so that they can develop their full beauty over the course of the year.
Tip: If you want to do the bees in your garden a favor this year, you can already sow our Plantura bee pasture outdoors. The seed mix contains a wide variety of bee-friendly plants and will transform your garden into a real bee paradise.
What to plant in an ornamental garden in April?
Sowing in the bed: Annual summer flowers, nasturtium, cornflower, snapdragon, poppy, morning glory, calendula, gypsophila, summer aster, sunflower, marigold
Plants in the bed: Dahlias, garden freesias, gladioli, lilies, Montbretia, Nerine, giant hyacinth, roses, summer hyacinths, tiger flowers, gypsy flowers
Preparation on the windowsill/in the greenhouse: Columbine, Aster, Dahlias, Male Loyal, Sunflower
Further work in the ornamental garden
Plant evergreen shrubs: Evergreen plants such as Rhododendron (Rhododendron), Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus ) or cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) are best planted between March and April. Make sure you loosen the soil thoroughly before planting and remove stones and weeds. In the case of rhododendrons, attention must also be paid to the pH value - asAs a bog plant, it only thrives in acidic soil. For this reason, it is advisable to improve the garden soil with a special soil, for example our Plantura Organic Acidic Soil.
Pruning out spring bloomers: Many spring blooming shrubs like forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia) are already faded from mid-April. So that the plants can shine in all their glory next year, they should be thinned out now: Remove the oldest branches close to the ground - this gives the young shoots a better chance of developing next year.
Prepare for Easter: In most years, Easter falls in April - so it's high time to decorate the garden with brightly painted Easter eggs. For particularly beautiful eggs in the Easter nest, you can look out for shapely leaves in the garden. Secured firmly to a hard-boiled egg with a piece of old pantyhose and then dipped in paint, the leaves leave decorative imprints on the egg. For a festive ambience in the room you can fall back on suitable flowering houseplants. Well-established are, for example, the Easter cactus (Hatiora x graeseri) or the Christ's thorn (Euphorbia milii). You can also cut particularly beautiful branches in the garden and bring spring into your home.
The Orchard in April
It's always particularly quiet in the orchard over the winter. In April, however, the gardening season really starts again here. Not only are numerous fruit trees in bloom, such as apple (Malus) and pear (Pyrus), it can even be harvested already. But also the care of the orchard should not be neglected in April.
Fertilize fruit trees: Both fruit trees and berry bushes enjoy an extra portion of nutrients at the beginning of the growing season. Fertilizing with compost in the spring has proven its worth: around three liters are worked in per square meter and provide the plants with the nutrients they need for flowering and fruit formation. As an alternative to compost, you can also use a universal fertilizer with a long-term effect, such as our Plantura organic universal fertilizer.
Plant strawberries: In contrast to the well-known, once-bearing summer strawberries,
Monthly, climbing and frigo strawberries are not planted between July and August, but in April or early May set. These cultivated forms of strawberries are particularly popular, because they do not only grow once,but bear fruit all summer long.Pruning raspberries: The correct pruning of raspberries (Rubus idaeus) is extremely important to bring in the richest possible harvest. For Two-Timer raspberries, all two-year-old shoots are cut off at ground level in April. With summer raspberries, on the other hand, the new shoots need to be pruned out in April: Only about ten shoots should remain per running meter.
Planting quinces: Young quinces (Cydonia oblonga) are significantly more susceptible to frost than other fruit trees. For this reason, new quince trees are ideally not planted in autumn, but only in April, when the risk of severe frost is significantly lower.
Harvest rhubarb: From the end of April the time has finally come - the first tender stalks of rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) are ready for harvest ready. But no matter how aromatic the rhubarb tastes, you should not harvest the plant excessively: about two-thirds of the stalks should be left standing so that the plant is not weakened too much.
The lawn in April
In April the growing season is in full swing again. This also means that lawn care must not be neglected. If you could sit back and relax in winter, mowing the lawn is now part of the typical garden work in April. If you didn't start taking care of your lawn in March, now is the time.
Fight against moss: Moss often spreads in the garden over the winter. Scarifying can help with matted and moss-covered lawns and aerates the turf - however, scarifying alone does not necessarily help and should not be used too often, as it puts additional strain on the turf. Appropriate fertilization is just as important in combating moss in the lawn. The application of our Plantura organic soil activator is also effective here, as it improves the soil structure and makes the grass more competitive against wild herbs and mosses.
Fertilize the lawn: The first lawn fertilization in spring provides the grass with the important nutrients it needs for he althy growth. Primarily organic fertilizers, such as our Plantura organic lawn fertilizer, not only help your lawn grow fresh green, but are also harmless to garden animals and pets.
Close gaps: ImUnfortunately, in winter it often happens that the lawn dies in some areas - unsightly, bare gaps remain. However, you don't have to overseed the entire lawn for individual bald spots: With the Plantura Lawn Repair you can quickly and reliably close small gaps in the lawn.
Support garden animals and insects in April
Life is slowly returning to the garden after winter. Numerous insects, amphibians and birds can now be observed again. There are a number of things you can do in April to increase the variety of species in your garden.
Create flower strips: Flower strips with a high proportion of native plants are ideal as a food source for hungry beneficial insects, because they offer enough food for one with their variety and the different flowering times of the plants longer period. Flowering mixtures with many different plants, such as our Plantura bee pasture, are particularly suitable for creating a flower strip: This is not only an attractive sight for the eyes, but also food for hungry insects.
Set up a bird bath: Birds are welcome guests to most gardeners. In addition to offering food, you can also support the feathered animals with fresh water: installing a bird bath in the garden helps birds in their search for water to drink and bathe and will soon develop into a real bird magnet.
Postpone spring cleaning: In spring, many people are gripped by the thirst for action and the desire to ensure discipline and order in the garden again. But you shouldn't be too precise: Rotten wood, piles of leaves or brushwood serve as welcome hiding places for amphibians such as common toads (Bufo bufo). So feel free to allow a "wild corner" in the garden.
The balcony garden in April
What gets you in the mood for spring more than colorful flowers? Even balcony gardeners no longer have to do without it: Many flowering balcony plants ensure a good mood in April and turn our window sills into real eye-catchers. Of course, the balcony planting in April also needs a bit of care and attention in order to show itself from its most beautiful side.
Growing potatoes: Potatoes on the balcony? Yes, it is actually possible: If you don't have your own garden, you can easily grow potatoes in pots. Slightly less exotic, but just as delicious, are lettuce and radishes, which come straight into the spring in AprilBalcony boxes may be sown. Strawberries can be planted on the balcony just as well: In April, they can move out of their plastic pots into the balcony box or hanging basket.
Harden potted plants: Cold wintered potted plants such as the oleander (Nerium oleander) can slowly return to the balcony in April, provided it is there is no more permafrost. So that the potted plants can slowly get used to their new surroundings, they should initially be partially shaded and protected.
Plant balcony boxes: Now in April you can already prepare your balcony planting. If it is already quite warm, some balcony plants can be planted out as early as April - these include fuchsias (Fuchsia), begonias (Begonia) and the busy Lizzie (Impatiens walleriana). But the ice saints are not over yet and a late frost can cause serious damage to the plants. On the other hand, you play it safe with the balcony flowers in April with pansies (Violaceae), horned violets (Viola cornuta) and numerous early bloomers such as daffodils and hyacinths.
Care for indoor plants in April
Houseplants are an enrichment for every household all year round. So that the green housemates feel comfortable with us, it is important to give them the necessary care in April.
Fertilize indoor azaleas: After flowering, azaleas (Rhododendron) need a good dose of nutrients. That is why mid-April is the right time to fertilize the azaleas. A long-acting fertilizer is particularly ideal for potted plants, as it continuously supplies the plants with nutrients.
Don't forget to cut back: Some indoor plants such as the coleus (Coleus scutellarioides), the shrub begonia (Begonia maculata ) and the linden tree (Sparmannia africana) like to grow quite sparsely. So that they still fit well into the apartment, you can prune the plants vigorously from the beginning of April. In the case of hibiscus (Hibiscus) and passion flower (Passiflora), however, pruning can increase the willingness to flower, as they bloom profusely, especially on the young shoots.
Break for the cyclamen: The cyclamen (Cyclamen) often takes a break from flowering indoors from April. During this time, the plant needs significantly less water - you should do that when watering the cyclamenconsider. In addition, the plant is happy about a sunny, not too warm place in the house during its break.
April is slowly coming to an end? Find out what work is coming up next month in our article on gardening in May.