Remove protections
As soon as frosts are no longer to be feared, or even a little earlier for plants that are less fragile, you can remove the winter protection that you had probably installed on your most chilly plants as soon as the bad days arrive. Obviously, this could be earlier or earlier in the month. depending on the region you live in and the weatherbecause the month of April is a capricious month which can hold unpleasant surprises.
Taking out overwintered plants
Again, depending on your region and the weather, during the month of April you can start taking out plants, such as lemon trees, orange trees, calamondins, etc. that you had sheltered for the winter. If possible, proceed gradually starting by only taking them out on beautiful sunny days and bringing them in in the evening.
Clean containers
If you have containers, planters, pots, etc. empty pots that have spent the winter outside and are waiting to accommodate new plants or if you have unpotted plants that did not survive the winter, before using these pots to repot plants, or to plant or sow them news, it is important to clean thoroughly with a mixture of water and black soap, and a brush.
This will allow you, on the one hand, to restore them to their original appearance and, on the other hand, to prevent the spread of diseases. You can also clean the exterior of containers containing plants that have been left on your balcony or patio all winter.
Repot the plants
Early spring is a good time for repotting, if not the best, as plants are emerging from their winter slumber and a little help is not unwelcome. If you don’t want to repot, you can also help them by surfacing. Let’s look at these two techniques:
- Repotting : It not only provides more space to the root system of the plant concerned, but also renews the nutrients necessary for its development. This amounts to changing the pot of plants that are too cramped. You must then choose a container of slightly larger size, without excess, ensuring that its bottom is pierced to ensure sufficient drainage of the substrate and, thus, avoid rotting of the roots.
- Surfacing : For plants that you cannot repot, whether because they are too large or for any other reason, you can perform topping. This consists of remove 2 or 3 cm from the substrate, even 7 to 8 cm for dwarf shrubs, which is on the surface to replace it with a new one. This allows you to ensure a regular supply of the nutrients necessary for the plant.
At the same time as you are repotting or topping, you can take the opportunity to offer a little fertilizer to all your plants. They will thank you for this extra with generous flowering when the time comes.
Prune your plants
In order to encourage the appearance of new branches, you can, in April, prune some of your plants. You can then proceed to the pruning your bougainvillea, hibiscus, lantana or plumbago. If you grow climbers in a container, such as clematis, you can also prune them, as can your fuchsias and ivy geraniums. It will be more of a soft size.
Carry out plantations
The time has also come to start putting together your planters, your hanging lights, etc. Be careful not to indulge in crushes, which would end in failure: always choose plants that can be grown in pots . Do not hesitate to be accompanied by a professional when making your choice, without forgetting to specify whether the situation is sunny, shaded or partially shaded. You can plant:
- Trailing begonias, lobelias, fuchsias, geraniums, etc. ;
- Perennials, such as bellflowers, rudbeckias, heucheras, etc. ;
- Climbing plants that will act as a windbreak or privacy screen while bringing greenery to your exterior;*
- Aromatic plants, such as parsley, thyme, coriander, etc., which you need in the kitchen to always have on hand. You can also sow them.
Arrange your furniture
To fully enjoy your outdoors, now is the time to bring out your garden furniture if you have stored it under cover. You can review the layouts. Pay attention, here too, to choose furniture of the right size for the space which you have available. You can easily find versatile garden furniture on the market that takes up less space.