| As spring approaches, the Barnsdale Gardens team is always prepared—rain or shine! A thriving garden is built on careful preparation and readiness for whatever nature brings. Here are our top gardening tasks for March and April to ensure a happy and healthy garden in 2025. 1. Water Houseplants With houseplants entering their growth phase, you can start increasing watering. However, be cautious—too much water can do more harm than good. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. 2. Prevent Rose Black Spot To stay ahead of this common fungal disease, begin spraying as soon as new leaves emerge. At Barnsdale, we use an organic mixture of skimmed milk and water (10:1 ratio) to create a protective barrier. Since this method is preventive rather than curative, reapply after rain to maintain effectiveness. 3. Plant Potatoes Now is the perfect time to get your early potatoes in the ground. To save time, our team prefers to earth up completely at planting rather than returning repeatedly. This method doesn’t seem to affect yield but frees up time for other essential garden tasks. 4. Pot Up Plug Bedding Plants If you’re not growing bedding plants from seed, plug-grown varieties are an excellent alternative. Pot them into 8cm (3-inch) containers or use them to fill hanging baskets and wall pots. Keep them in a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory until they’re ready to be moved outdoors. 5. Sow French Beans At Barnsdale, we love extending the growing season, and early French beans are a must! By sowing now, we often enjoy an early crop of tender, juicy beans. Aim to plant them in the ground by the first or second week of May. 6. Feed Roses As roses begin to burst into growth, ensure they have the nutrients needed for a spectacular summer display. A proprietary rose food works well, or you can apply a couple of handfuls of pelleted chicken manure for a natural boost.By tackling these tasks now, you’ll set your garden up for success throughout the year. Happy gardening! There’s plenty to see and do all year round at Barnsdale Gardens! |
Photo credit Steve Hamilton
Source Burpee Europe
