April

 Kitchen Garden Calendar: 

JAN / FEB /  MAR / APR / MAY / JUN / JUL / AUG / SEP / OCT / NOV / DEC

Eating seasonally
Fruit	Vegetables	Meat	Fish
Apricot  Kiwi fruit	Asparagus  Cauliflower  Peppers  Purple sprouting broccoli   Rhubarb  Spinach  Spring onions	Lamb  Rabbit  Turkey	Crab  Salmon  Tuna

1. It’s time to divide perennial such as hosta and liriope. 2-3 days before, water perennials well. Dig up the clump and pull apart with two spades. Cut through the roots cleanly with a knife making sure each division has at least one crown. Replant at the same depth.
2. It is planting time for trees, shrubs, roses, strawberries and perennials. Get them while they’re hot!
3. Any containerised plants need plenty of fertiliser and frequent watering, especially during warm weather.
4. Deadhead larger bulbs such as Tulips, narcissus, and Hyacinths. Be sure not to cut the foliage!
5. As leaves emerge on trees and shrubs, check for aphids, spider mites, etc. and spray with Ortho Isotox or Orthene if needed.
6. Azaleas, Pyracantha, Rhododendron, and Pieris must be sprayed to combat lacebug. Isotox is best – sprayed 3-4 times, 1 week apart.
7. Fertilise bulbs again as they bloom. They are heavy feeders and another application will ensure nice blooms for next year.
8. After the last chance of frost, (around mid April) you can start planting hardier annual. Fertilise with a bloom starter as you plant.