1. Fruit, vegetables and herbs

Seeds of early varieties of cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce and onions can still be sown in a greenhouse and planted out into better conditions during April or early May.

The year has been slow and the soil wet. It is best to wait until it dries before sowing seeds. Complete pruning of apple and pears trees. Tidy-up herbs.

2. Trees, shrubs and roses

Evergreens can be planted as the sap rises over the coming month or so. A good watering at planting and two weeks later is usually all they need.

Deciduous trees should be planted without delay and pot-grown plants can also still be planted. Bush roses and repeat-flowering climbers should be pruned by now.

3. Flowers

Complete sowing of bedding flower seeds in a propagator in the coming couple of weeks. Seeds can be started off in the heat indoors and moved out to the cooler greenhouse.

Lifting and dividing of herbaceous flowers can continue, when dry, but be completed soon. Plant ornamental grasses at this time of year.

4. Lawn

Apply lawn mosskiller, such as sulphate of iron if moss growth is dense.

Regular mowing should begin soon, if not already started, but not during wet weather. Re-make the edges of beds and borders and trim the grass where it meets kerbs. With soil still wet and growth slow, it is too early to think about feeding just yet.

5. Greenhouse and house plants

Pot up begonias and cannas for summer display in the greenhouse or conservatory. Feed and water all greenhouse plants.

Check for pests, especially greenflies. Re-pot old house plants that have become tired and pot-bound. Without delay, sow seeds of tomatoes for greenhouse growing, also peppers and chillies.

Read more

Gardening: The spectacular purple milkwort

In the garden with Gerry Daly: The native hazel