April is where things really begin to gather pace in the garden. Growth is accelerating, soil temperatures are slowly rising and there’s a noticeable burst of life in borders and beds. That said, in the west of Ireland we still need to keep one eye firmly on the forecast — cold winds, heavy showers and the odd late frost are never too far away.
A month of momentum
With groundwork largely behind us, April is all about sowing, planting and staying on top of fast-moving growth. A little consistency now will set you up for a productive and colourful season ahead.
Ornamental Flowers, Trees & Shrubs
Spring is well underway in the ornamental garden, with fresh growth appearing across perennials, shrubs and trees. Keep beds tidy by removing any remaining dead material and lightly hoeing to keep weeds under control.
Hydrangeas can be pruned now if not already done — remove old flower heads and cut back to a strong pair of buds. Avoid cutting too hard, particularly on mophead varieties, as you may remove this year’s flowering stems.
April is an excellent time to sow hardy annuals either directly outdoors (in milder spells) or in trays for transplanting later. Good options include calendula, cornflower, nigella, cosmos, larkspur and sweet peas. These provide fantastic colour through summer and are great for pollinators.
Hardy annuals like Calendula, Cornflower, Cosmos and Sweet Peas can all be started off now and will bring a great burst of colour to your garden later in the season as well as being beneficial for our pollinators - images courtesy of pixabay (by Vikramjit Kakati, Anonymous, Trung Nguyễn & Lena Svensson respectively)
For instant impact, bedding plants in plug trays are a great option and can be grown on under cover before planting out once the risk of frost has passed.
Continue dividing established perennials such as hostas, daylilies, primroses and hardy geraniums if needed — this helps reinvigorate plants and fill gaps in borders.
Watch out for slugs and snails, which are particularly active now. Protect tender new shoots of plants such as delphiniums, lupins and hostas using appropriate control methods.
Grow Your Own
For Outdoors
April is one of the busiest sowing months for the kitchen garden. As soil begins to warm, a wide range of vegetables can be sown directly outdoors, including carrots (best under cloches early in the month), parsnips, beetroot, spinach, lettuce, radish and turnips.
Peas and broad beans can be sown or planted out, while brassicas such as cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli can be started in seedbeds or modules for later transplanting.
Second early and maincrop potatoes should be planted this month. Ensure they are planted into well-prepared soil and be ready to earth up as shoots emerge to protect from frost.
If you started crops earlier in the year, April is the time to begin hardening off young plants on milder days before planting out later in the month or into May.
Whilst we are coming to the end of the bare root season, this is also a great time to be planting potted fruit trees whilst there is still some rain ahead but the soil is warming up. This will give them a good few weeks (or maybe a couple of months...) to settle in before the dryer weather kicks in...we hope.
For Polytunnels & Greenhouses
Under cover, sowing continues at full speed. Courgettes, pumpkins, squash, cucumbers and sweetcorn can all be started in April.
Salad crops such as lettuce, rocket and mixed leaves can be sown regularly for a continuous harvest, alongside beetroot and early carrots.
Transplant earlier sowings of tomatoes into larger pots and keep them in a bright, warm position — a heated propagator or consistently warm space is still beneficial, particularly in our cooler western climate.
Ventilation is key this month — open doors and vents on warmer days to reduce humidity and encourage strong, sturdy growth.
For a more detailed guide to sowing and growing, be sure to check out our 'Grow Your Own A–Z' .
"If you started off tomatoes earlier in March (or even February) you may need to look at potting these on now. Before you do make sure they have already established a good root system in the current pot they are in. You can usually do this by just looking underneath the pot. If the roots are growing out of the bottom of the pot then it's a good indicator to pot them on. When doing so, just go for a pot that's just a bit bigger than the one they are in - too large and the roots just end up surrounded by excessive wet compost for too long. Also be sure to try and plant them a bit deeper, submerging some of the currently exposed stem - this is one of very few plants where this actually encourages more root growth and results in a stronger plant. Once potted on, you shouldn't have to do this again until they are ready to go out into their final position. I did this just earlier this week and hopefully won't have to do it again before they go out to the tunnel in May!" - Richard - photo taken 24/03/2026.
Indoor Plants
Houseplants are now in active growth and will benefit from regular feeding with a balanced liquid fertiliser.
Increase watering as needed, but avoid overwatering — always check compost moisture levels first.
This is an ideal time to repot plants that have outgrown their containers and to take cuttings for propagation.
Keep leaves clean and dust-free, and ensure plants are positioned to receive as much light as possible without being scorched by direct sun.
General Maintenance
Lawns should now be back in regular use — mow weekly if conditions allow, gradually lowering the cutting height. Apply a spring lawn feed to encourage healthy growth.
Keep on top of weeds with regular hoeing — tackling them early makes a big difference later in the season.
Check supports for climbing plants, tie in new growth where needed and install canes or frames before plants become too large.
Continue feeding birds and providing water, and consider adding pollinator-friendly plants to support bees and other beneficial insects as activity increases.
Final Thoughts
April is a rewarding month in the garden, where effort quickly turns into visible results. With sowing in full swing and plants responding to longer days, it’s a time to stay organised, keep up with tasks and enjoy the energy of the new season — even if the weather keeps us on our toes. If the weather allows, be sure to take some time to sit back in the garden and take it all in for a moment, this can be a great time to observe subtle changes and pleasant surprises that you may miss if you're always just busy with the next job!
Everything you need for April gardening
From vegetable seeds and seed potatoes to bedding plants, compost and growing essentials, we have everything you need to make the most of the season. Visit us in-store or shop online at your convenience.
