April

1. Apply a general-purpose fertiliser to borders and beds. Feed shrubs & roses, Bow have a large selection including, organic feeds.

2. Plant Summer-flowering bulbs, if not done already, and sow hardy annuals and herb seeds now.

3. If planting new trees, roses or shrubs use Mycorrhiza (a symbiotic fungus) to ensure healthy root growth, Empathy Rootgrow is available at Bow.

4. Prepare beds for the growing season. Dig in at least a 5cm layer of compost, and work in a general-purpose fertiliser, such as 6x, Growmore, or fish, blood and bone.

5. If you haven’t done so already, cut back any dead foliage on perennials and ornamental grass plants to make way for new growth.

6. Honeysuckle and Clematis will be putting on growth now, so tie new stems to train them along their supports.

7. Protect fruit blossom from late frosts by covering them with horticultural fleece on cold nights.

8. Continue deadheading spring bulbs and bedding, so they don't waste energy setting seed.

9. Clean ponds, and then add aquatic plants such as Waterlilies and Irises.

10. Make good use of April Showers... Attach guttering to sheds and greenhouses and install waterbutts. Rainwater is much less harsh on plants, as it doesn’t contain the chemicals that tap water does.