It’s a perfect time to start to plan for next year and whilst a time to take things easier there is much that needs to be done as a gardeners work never ends.

If you have not already pruned your roses, this is a job you should be getting done. Pruning roses encourages new growth in the spring by removing old and damaged wood and helps to prevent wind rock which can cause roses problems and even kill them off.

Improve soil structure by digging in or top dressing with compost or composted manure. By doing this now, the organic matter will release it’s nutrients into the soil over the next few months. Digging in organic matter will also help improve drainage, aeration and moisture rention of the soil.

If you still have leaves falling in your garden, clear them up into a bin bag. Pierce a few holes in the bottom of the bags for drainage and tuck them away somewhere to rot down, providing you with beautiful leaf mould next year.

When the weather is bad, there is always the shed to tidy, the greenhouse to clean. Paths and patios can be scrubbed on a dry day to remove algal growth making them both slippery and drab looking.

If you lift your gladioli’s, now is the time to do so. Clean the corms removing soil debris and store in a cool dry place to prevent rotting.

Winter bedding can be planted to brighten up empty pots and dull areas to provide colour through until spring.

If you haven’t already, bring in tender perennials for overwintering. Busy Lizzies, Pelargoniums can be potted up with any damaged or poor foliage being removed to keep plants tidy and disease free.

Leaf mould is very good for the garden and is easy to make. If you don’t have the space for a compost bin for leaf mould, you can use black bin bags instead. Fill the bags will old leaves and tie the bags, these can then be tucked away at the back of the garden or in the shed producing leaf mould for next year.

Increase the height of your lawn mower blades as grass will be growing much slower now and a longer length grass is better for the winter weather. Apply an autmn lawn weed, feed and mosskiller if you wish, which provides the lawn with specific nutrients for root development rather than grass growth.

Bring bushes that have put on a lot of growth this year back into shape using secateurs. Clear away and fading foliage from the borders to keep them looking tidy through this month. Keep on top of weeds to reduce the risk of them self seeding, increasing the amount of work youll have to do next year.

Herbaceous perennials that have outgrown there place, can be divided now and the planting of spring bulbs can begin. If your not planning to move herbaceous plants until they have died back, mark them with a cane as it’s easy to forget which ones you were going to do after they have died back.

Clear out excessive weed in ponds to increase light as they will have put on a large amount of growth through the season.

Feed bulbs that are coming to their end with a liquid feed to encourage healthy bulb and flower development for next years display.

In hot dry weather avoid digging the soil as this will speed up water evaporation from the soil increasing the need to water.

Keep on top of dead heading plants after they have flowered unless you are wishing to collect their seed for sowing. Once bulbs such as Lilies and Gladioli have finished flowering, remove the faded flowers and seed pods and treat to a regular liquid feed to help them produce better flowers for next year.

Generally tidy up around the garden removing damaged and untidy growth and stake plants that may be prone to damage from heavy rain or wind.

To ensure plants do not waste energy on producing seeds and not flowers, keep on top of dead heading, removing faded flowers as they develop. Remove any damaged or yellowing leaves to keep planters healthy and looking tidy as well as removing any unwanted growth.

Continue to cut faded flowers from annuals to ensure a continuous supply of new flowers. Don’t be afraid to cut good flowers for bringing indoors as this will encourage annuals to produce more.

Remove any diseased or damaged leaves from plants and ensure that there is good air circulation around plants. To help reduce the temperature and improve humidity, water the floor of the greenhouse every morning and afternoon if possible.

Treat weeds with a specific lawn weed control where weed invasion is high. Where there are only occasional weeds, keep them under control by removing by hand or applying a weed killer stick to indivual weeds.

Neaten up edges of lawns by re-shaping the edges using a lawn edger, cutting back the edges by about 1/2 inch. Where edges have gone thin, you can cut out that section with extra grass and turn it around so the bald area is in the lawn which will make it easier to re-seed later.

Lilies are prone to attack from the Lily Beetle which is bright red. This needs to be dealt with at the first signs of attack, as they are vey destructive creatures and breed quickly.

Other things to keep an eye out for are:

• Greenfly
• Black Spot on Roses
• Viburnum Beetle
• Vine Weevil and Caterpillars
• White Fly
• Red Spider Mite

For information on controls for these pest go to Pests & Diseases or to purchase products go to Pest Control Products

Perennial weeds such as Dandylions need to have their roots removed completely as they will just keep coming back more and more. Where it is not possible to remove them completely, treat with a systemic weed killer or weed killer stick.

Lilies are prone to attack from the Lily Beetle which is bright red. This needs to be dealt with at the first signs of attack, as they are vey destructive creatures and breed quickly.

Other things to keep an eye out for are:

• Greenfly
• Black Spot on Roses
• Viburnum Beetle
• Vine Weevil and Caterpillars
• White Fly
• Red Spider Mite

Give them a boost with a liquid feed as they will have used up a lot of energy with their long lasting floral display. Feeding will nurish the plant and encourage healthy new growth providing you with more flowers next season.

The chance of frosts now is pretty much gone in most areas and if you haven’t done so already, you can plant out Dahlias, Cannas and other tender plants.

When the weather is good, give patios a wash down with a multi purpose path and patio cleaner and spruce up any garden furniture that has been sat out through the winter. April is an exciting time with splashes of colour appearing everywhere and new shoots bursting. Take time out on a nice day to sit out and enjoy the garden and use it to make a note of dull areas that will need extra bulbs come the autumn and plan your summer displays.

Most Garden Centres should have their new season ranges of containers and baskets in stock with many different styles coming out each year. When planting up your baskets, remember to mix in a slow release fertilizer and water retaining gel (available from Garden Centres). This will ensure your plants will do well through the summer and will help to reduce watering needs.

Other bulbs

Any bulbs that have finished flowering will benefit from an application of general liquid feed (available from Garden Centres).

Do bare in mind that most bulbs will have been brought on early for sale and so will flower slightly later in following years in their natural environment.