April is when the garden really starts to wake up. There’s a bit of heat in the soil, longer evenings, and you can finally get stuck into the jobs that make a real difference. Nothing complicated now… just the right jobs at the right time.

Grow Your Own – Start Now, Keep It Simple

If you’ve been thinking about growing your own, this is your moment.
You can sow carrots, beetroot and beans straight into the ground now. Tomatoes and strawberries can be started in a greenhouse or a warm spot.

A simple trick I always recommend:

• Marigolds with tomatoes → helps keep whitefly away.
• Leeks with carrots → confuses carrot fly.

It’s small things like that that make gardening easier without chemicals. If you’re tight on space, even a grow bag or raised bed will do the job.

Add Colour – Set Yourself Up for Summer

Now is the time to get your colour going. Start preparing your hanging baskets using the classic: Thriller, filler and spiller. Keep them somewhere warm for now and they’ll be ready to go out in May.

You can also:

• Plant summer pots and containers.
• Add cottage garden plants for that full, relaxed look.
• Divide older perennials and get more plants for free.

A small bit of effort now gives you months of colour.

Lawn Care – Don’t Leave It Too Late

Your lawn is starting to grow again, and April is key to getting it right. Take a look: Any moss? Bare patches? Signs of grubs? Now’s the time to act.

Follow a simple plan:

1. Apply Zero Lawn Moss Remover Liquid - Tackles moss overnight, safe for children & pets once dried. Plus 100% Guaranteed to Work.
2. Feed your lawn with Zero Lawn Feed - Slow release fertilizer that feeds & greens your lawn up to 3 months.

Tidy Up & Get Ahead

There are a few quick jobs now that will save you time later.

• Prune spring shrubs once they finish flowering.
• Trim hebes to stop them getting leggy.
• Add supports to taller plants before they fall over.
• Feed your shrubs and hedging.

It’s also a great time to plant:

Protect What You Grow

As everything starts growing, pests follow close behind.
Keep an eye on slugs, especially around young plants.
Apply treatment in the evening when they’re most active.
A simple step that can save your crops.
For a gentle all-round boost, a plant invigorator will help protect against pests and mildew.
At Horkans, we recommend using Slug Killer Advanced Organic by Growing Success, normally €9.99 each but as a Gardening Club member you can get 2 For €16.

Pots, Containers & Easy Wins

If you want quick impact without too much effort… Plant up a few pots.

You can:

• Mix flowers for colour.
• Add herbs like mint, basil or thyme.
• Even grow strawberries in containers.

It’s one of the easiest ways to brighten up a space fast.

Don’t Forget Your Houseplants

With brighter days, your indoor plants need a bit more attention.

• Water a bit more regularly.
• Start feeding again.
• Give the leaves a clean.

They’ll reward you quickly.

Final Word from Paraic

April isn’t about doing everything. It’s about getting started. A few small jobs now will set your whole garden up for the months ahead. And if you’re not sure where to begin, call into us. We’ll always point you in the right direction.