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Monty Don's full list of 'April jobs' gardeners should start now
Reach Daily Express | April 11, 2026 1:39 PM CST

With spring finally here, countless homeowners are pulling on their gardening gloves and heading outdoors. For gardening enthusiasts seeking advice, Monty Don has shared a list of April jobs that he recommends completing.

According to the television personality and BBC Gardeners' World host, April is a month for action. In a previous blog post, Monty told his readers: "The important thing is to get on top of things. So cut the grass, weed as much as possible, get perennial plants in the ground, finish mulching, sow some seeds - but in a manageable, enjoyable way."

The good news is the expert said there is 'still time to spare.' Monty explained that April could be a good month to catch up on any outstanding tasks you've yet to tick off your chores list.

He said: "If there are jobs that you 'ought' to have done much earlier there are two sensible approaches. Either do them right now, a bit later than you should, or leave them till next Winter. But having made the decision, act!"

In his blog, Monty shared a few jobs he recommended completing this month. His April jobs list included mowing the lawn, watering tulips, and tidying up bulbs.

Talking to readers, Monty said his preference is to mow as little as possible, given that long grass encourages wildlife in your garden. "Whatever your grass-cutting inclinations, resist the temptation to scalp your grass down to its midsummer height. Set the blades high and just trim the grass for the first few weeks as much to even it out as to reduce it," he suggested.

Monty added that April is the best time to plant sweet peas in the garden, though the exact date depends on your location. He recommends planting sweet peas in the middle of the month if you live in the south, or waiting until later in the month if you're further north.

Gardeners could also use this month to tidy up their bulbs. Monty warned against cutting back any bulbs that have finished flowering, but he said you can lift the bulbs and pot them into a container to die back and feed next year's bulbs.

Moving on, the expert highlighted a simple job that he said often gets overlooked. If you grow Rhododendron and Azalea, Monty said to deadhead faded flowers. This process stops the plant from wasting energy on seed production, and it can reduce the risk of fungal infections, the gardener explained.

For his next tip, Monty advised people to water their tulips every week. He also said April is an ideal time to plant lilies in pots, before moving them to their final position in May and June, when the buds develop. According to the expert, April is also a month for sowing seeds and planting your edible garden.

The entire list of April jobs is available on Monty Don's website. The gardener shares monthly advice, helping gardeners year-round.


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