Prepare for the summer and put water-saving practices into action.

The need to control weeds to reduce the competition for water from plants can be achieved by regular hoeing or by using bark mulch. Using bark mulch on exposed soil around plants has two main benefits; the mulch will help any rain that occurs to soak through and reach the roots and will then prevent water loss by evaporation. Fine or coarse mulch should be applied at around 7cms depth. Remember to make sure that the areas are weed free before applying the mulch. Also remember to install a water butt or two in your garden. (For details of mulch and other essentials, visit our Sundries listing.)

Re-think your border design by adding drought-tolerant plants to areas that you know are always dry. Suitable plants are the evergreen Cistus (rock rose) that have beautiful white or pink flowers in summer. Smaller foliage Hebes like H. pinguifolia ‘Pagei’ and H. rakaiensis and Halimiocistus win. ‘Merrist Wood Cream’ will provide low growing evergreen cover.

The usual favourites of lavender and rosemary will survive in dry conditions and provide the garden with an aromatic foliage plant. For instant cover, you could put some of these plants into pots for the patio area. Make sure that you use loam-based compost which contains water crystals to help retain moisture; the John Innes Pots and Planters compost is ideal. (Composts are also listed in our Sundries section.)

Climbing plants can transform a small garden boundary into a plant heaven or they can hide an ugly sight. When planting these climbers add plenty of organic matter to help improve the soil moisture. Some places next to buildings can be dry places so monitor carefully and apply recycled water if needed (a good way to use up the bath water would be in the garden!).

April is the time to prune roses and selected shrubs like Buddleia and Lavatera but remember to apply a balanced fertilizer to the base of the plants followed by some mulch after pruning.

It would be a good time to apply a routine feed to the whole garden of composted manure, if available, or Growmore is ideal with equal parts of N7:P7:K7 to act as a balanced fertilizer; apply as per the rates on the bag and just before it rains to help break down the pellets.(Sundries!)

Plants for April are:

• Prunus avium ‘Plena’ with double white blooms.
• Ceanothus species provide a mass of blue flowers and in the herbaceous border:
• Pulsatilla and
• Doronicum provide the border with a colourful start

Looking for more to do in the garden this month? Then have a look at our checklist page of Jobs for April.