Gardening jobs to do in April for newbies and us oldies

ChocolateMonkey

I have finally managed to get just about everything done that I should of in the past few months.
My plot is all dug over and covered in net to try and keep our dam cats off. :mad:
My strawberries plants from aldi are planted up into a growbag.
I managed to buy some spring cabbage seedlings from B&Q which were reduced, they are now in the ground but I forgot to put slug pellets down.
Planted up my blackberry bush to go with my red currant and black currant.
Planted some speedy carrots and beetroot into containers, along with leafy salad.
Planted one set of chitted seed potatoes, I need to find containers for the other bag I bought.

All in all I had a very busy and achey days, but at least my patch is pretty much on its way. \o/
Next is planting all the onions, garlic and shallots I put into pots at the start of the year...all 70 of them.:rolleyes:

Prudent

Chocolatemonkey - I got the aldi strawberries too, but have just placed them in soil in the garden - is this ok?

ChocolateMonkey

Prudent wrote: »

Chocolatemonkey - I got the aldi strawberries too, but have just placed them in soil in the garden - is this ok?

I cant see why not but I am new to the whole fruit and veg growing thing.:o
The only reason I put them in a grow bag is because I have read and heard that strawberries spread like wildfire through the garden, plus I am trying to save room on my plot.

I hope someone else can help you though or correct me about the spreading if I am wrong.

louise_1981

was too late for aldi's strawberies, but managed to get 10 for 3.50 which I thought was a bargain!

managed to get salad and spinach seeds out, and some carrots and spring onions in this week. Got a delivery from the express 20 pounds for a whole host of garden stuff, well worth it. 10 potatoes and 5 sacks to grow them in, 12 strawberries, 4 raspberries, 20 lillies ( my favourite) 30 viola, 30 lobilia and 30 something else. 5 fuschia, 5 busy lizzies. there may be other things too, but it is getting late

frankerooney

Ooo help! Wait for me!! I feel so behind with the planting! I put some seeds in one bed a few weeks ago (carrots, parsnips, leeks, onions) but no sign of them . Guess it was too cold. Then on 4th April I planted some potatoes, and went into labour later that day :rotfl:(baby born next day, on schedule). Haven't checked on the potatoes coz they're under black plastic. The only green stuff in the veg beds is some garlic that seems to be doing ok (well 4 out of 5 cloves anyway :rolleyes:). So all in all, I'm feeling a bit despondent... But I gather the weather is sposed to warm up a bit the next few days?? Hope so, maybe I can put a heap more seed in if it's got a better chance of thriving .

ChocolateMonkey

Planted my red baron, white onions, garlic, shallots and broad beans yesterday. Today I am slightly aching, but the plot is finally starting to look alive and growing.
I also planted some garlic cloves from the kitchen I had potted and some garden centre cloves too. I was looking forward too seeing if any differences appeared but I seem to have mixed the cloves up whilst planting. :rolleyes:
I re-planted my redcurrant and blackcurrant plants into the ground hoping that they will grow better.
My peppers which I had given up on in my propergator have suddendly sprung into life in a day and my hanging basket tomato seedlings are looking good.
Tommorow I will start planting some sweetcorn seeds. Phew

Seems the garden is on a roll now.:D

WestonDave

Broad beans went out this morning - I know there is still some colder weather forecast for the weekend but they had reached the limit of the toilet rolls they were planted in. They are semi protected by the cheapo Lidl tunnel I have over the bed which should keep the worst cold off (he hopes!). Removed onions from the bean bed as they apparently don't like each other!

Runner beans (sown from seeds kept from last years crop!) are also reaching that point where the kitchen window sill won't do. Broccolli plants are going to need potting on soon before they get really leggy.

Sweetcorn now sown and taking the broad beans place on the window sill.

Looks like I've lost at least one of my £1 wilko blackcurrant bushes and another is only just holding on which may leave me with just one out of 3. By contrast all of the 3 red currants seem to be doing OK. I'm not that bothered as at £1 each I wasn't expecting too much - those that fail will probably get replaced with proper garden centre plants in the autumn now I'm happy with where to put them. New blueberry bush seems happy enough and the rhubarb is going mad as normal - just need some length on the numerous stalks and we can start eating!

No sign yet of the carrots, parsnips, peas or onions sown outside but some of them have fairly long germination times and it has been cold so hopefully they will still come through with warmer weather forecast for the 24th.

Spuds are out chitting in the garage (early BD present from the in laws complete with planting bags - who says in laws are all useless!).

Shed half painted (the two visible and weather facing sides) - other half to do. South/back lawn cut for 2nd time, others left for now as still OK (slower growing out of what sun we've had). However unless the council get their act together pdq will have to cut the grass outside the house (strip between pavement and wall) before the dandelions in it start seeding everywhere.

In the to do pile - sprouts, purple sprouting, beetroot, squash (bit of a punt there!) and french beans. The beetroot and beans will probably go straight outside now and the others are waiting window sill space!

Need to work out where I'm going to put the sweetcorn - whether its OK with the brassicas (sprouts etc) which will be slow growing on the ground over the summer, or better in with the beans.

Prudent

Sorry Chocolatemonkey another question

I have some gralic in the fridge that is sprouting. I was wondering from your comment if I can just plant it?

I have planted pepper and basil seeds this week. I don't have a greenhouse, so they are in large pots in front of the patio doors in the dinning room. I am hoping to be able to put them on the patio in the summer.

~Chameleon~

I also put my peas and beans out yesterday as I had the same problem as you WestonDave. They're in a fairly sheltered position so fingers crossed they'll survive, but if not I'll just sow some more as I've only got about half a dozen of each at mo.

Re-potted most of my toms, cucumbers and PSB yesterday but will wait a while before putting any of those outside yet, they're currently in the greenhouse. Courgettes showing no sign of germinating yet so will sow some more tomorrow (diff. variety) just in case.

Everything else seems to be coming on in leaps and bounds and I need to get outside and do some digging so they can all have a home to live in next month!

[Deleted User]

I put my tomatoes outside for good yesterday, fingers crossed they'll survive.