As we head into April, we can (hopefully) start to look forward to longer days and some warm, spring sunshine.

The shift from winter to spring can be subtle, especially in this country where the weather doesn’t always play ball! But even if the sunny days and warmer temperatures are slower to arrive, there are lots of gardening jobs you can tackle now in your outdoor space to get it ready for summer.

Weed and prune

Let’s be honest, no one really likes weeding but it’s an essential part of making your outdoor space look nice and to ensure your plants grow well.

Now is a good time to head outside and remove those unwanted weeds from your flower beds so that your late spring and summer plants can flourish.

Don’t forget to weed your pots too – I recently discovered mushrooms cosying up to a much-nurtured lupin I have overwintered in my greenhouse!

Tackle larger plants such as hydrangeas too. Prune them by cutting back the old stems to a healthy shoot lower down.

YES Top Tip: Hydrangea buds can be easily knocked off, so cut carefully using the tips of your secateurs.

Don’t be too keen…

Hopefully we are past the worst of the cold weather now, but do keep an eye on the forecast for late frosts.

There is nothing more frustrating that keeping plants going through the winter only to have a late spring frost wreak havoc.

YES Top Tip: protect any tender plants with frost cloth or move them back under cover if a cold night is predicted.

Sow seeds

If you haven’t done so already, now’s the time to sow seeds for vegetables and summer plants.

Sow summer favourites such as sweet peas and summer bedding plants but keep them in the greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill for another few weeks. You can also sow sunflowers indoors in April – make sure you keep them in a warm spot to encourage them to germinate.

If you want to enjoy home grown vegetables this year, start sowing tender crops such as tomatoes, green beans, aubergines, cucumbers and chillies. Again, you’ll need to use a heated propagator or keep them on a warm sunny windowsill before planting out from May – as long as the soil temperature is at least 10°C.

For hints and tips on what to grow when, check out this seed sowing guide from Gardener’s World.

It’s best to use new compost when sowing seeds, rather than using up old bags that have been lying around outdoors, even if they are unopened.

YES Top Tip: save the old bags of compost for mulching the garden.

Other gardening jobs

April is a good month to empty your compost bin. Although any hibernating wildlife should have emerged, do check for hedgehogs or frogs that may still be sheltering before prodding at your compost with a fork.

Trim your hedges as early as possible to avoid disturbing nesting birds. Once May arrives, use hand tools instead of power tools until the end of the breeding season (late August/early September) to protect nests and young birds.

Don’t forget to look after your lawn too. Give your grass area a spring boost by aerating it, recutting and tidying edges around beds, and raking moss to encourage the grass to grow more vigorously.

YES Top Tip: set your mower blades high for your first cut of the season to help thicken the grass.

Container gardening

You don’t have to have acres of lawn and extensive flower beds to enjoy gardening or the delights of a garden.

Many plants and vegetables can be grown in containers, and these can be placed on a patio or balcony or even on a windowsill (just make sure they are secure and not going to fall off).

Make sure your containers are large enough for your plants as they grow, and have good drainage. Water plants well, especially in hot weather as pots dry out much quicker than open beds.

YES Top Tip: feed your potted plants to ensure they are getting the nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong.

Enjoy your outdoor space

Getting out and about in the great outdoors isn’t only good for our physical health – gardens and gardening can have a positive impact on your mental wellbeing too.

So, no matter if you are a keen gardener or aren’t sure if you have green fingers, or if you just relish sitting and breathing in the fresh air listening to the birds, enjoy your outdoor space this spring.

And for environmentally friendly gardening tips ahead of Earth Day on 22 April, why not check out our previous article on eco-friendly garden ideas you can try at home.