{"id":356,"date":"2025-04-19T15:34:22","date_gmt":"2025-04-19T15:34:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/amazon-alexa\/?p=356"},"modified":"2025-04-20T14:10:26","modified_gmt":"2025-04-20T14:10:26","slug":"gardenadvice-co-uk-easter-gardening-calendar-special-audio-available","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/amazon-alexa\/gardenadvice-co-uk-easter-gardening-calendar-special-audio-available\/","title":{"rendered":"GardenAdvice.co.uk Easter Gardening Calendar Special ( Audio Available )"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"510\" src=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/amazon-alexa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/04\/tomatoes.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/amazon-alexa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/04\/tomatoes.jpg 650w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/amazon-alexa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/04\/tomatoes-300x235.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/amazon-alexa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/04\/tomatoes-520x408.jpg 520w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/amazon-alexa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/04\/tomatoes-320x251.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Beefsteak tomatoes, also known as beef tomatoes<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/easter-special.wav\">Click here&nbsp;<\/a>to download the audio file ( .wav ) or<a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/blog\/podcast\/eposide-13-gardenadvice-co-uk-calendar-easter-special-2025\/\">&nbsp;Click Here<\/a>&nbsp;to listen as a podcast<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spring is well underway, and Easter is the perfect time to take stock of your garden and get ahead with a few essential tasks. Here\u2019s your Easter Gardening Calendar packed with seasonal jobs, tips, and some GardenAdvice member perks you might have forgotten about!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/gardening-tips\/controlling-wild-garlic-in-your-garden\/\">Wild Garlic<\/a>: Beautiful in the Kitchen, a Bulbous Beast in the Garden<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Wild garlic has become more rampant with climate change shifting weed dynamics. While it\u2019s delicious in cooking and looks lovely in a wild patch, it can quickly become a thug in borders and lawns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you want to grow it, <strong>use pots or a controlled bed<\/strong>.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In gardens, it spreads rapidly underground and <strong>dies back early<\/strong>, leaving no visible trace but plenty of energy stored in bulbs to spread next season.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/gardening-tips\/controlling-wild-garlic-in-your-garden\/\">Best control method<\/a><\/strong> Dig it out early or smother with landscape membrane and mulch before it takes over.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/blog\/pruning-late-winter-and-early-spring-flowering-plants\/\">Prune Spring Flowering Shrubs<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As spring-flowering shrubs begin to fade, it\u2019s time to prune. This helps stimulate new growth for next year\u2019s flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Shrubs to focus on:<\/strong> Forsythia, Philadelphus, Choisya, and even perennials like Bergenia.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prune just after flowering to give the plant the rest of the season to recover and grow strong for next spring.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Examples include&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Chaenomeles (Flowering Quince)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Latin Name: <em>Chaenomeles speciosa<\/em> or <em>Chaenomeles japonica<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pruning: Prune immediately after flowering. Cut back flowered shoots to a strong bud and thin out older, woody stems to promote fresh growth. Can be trained against walls or grown as a freestanding shrub.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Care: Tolerates a range of soils but prefers sun to part shade. Feed with a general-purpose fertiliser after pruning to boost next year\u2019s flower display.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Choisya (Mexican Orange Blossom)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pruning: Prune lightly after flowering, especially if it\u2019s a spring-flowering variety like <em>Choisya ternata<\/em>. Remove one or two older stems at the base to encourage fresh growth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Care: Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Feed after pruning with a balanced fertiliser.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Forsythia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pruning: Prune immediately after flowering in spring. Cut back flowered stems to strong shoots lower down and remove up to a third of the oldest stems at ground level each year to rejuvenate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Care: Very low maintenance. Add a balanced fertiliser in spring and water during prolonged dry spells.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ribes (Flowering Currant)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pruning: Best pruned right after flowering. Remove some of the older stems at the base and cut flowered stems back to a strong pair of buds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Care: Can get woody if left unpruned. A feed of Grow More or similar in early summer will keep it vigorous.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sweetwood (Sarcococca)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pruning: Minimal pruning needed. Lightly trim after flowering if shaping is required. Remove any dead or wayward branches.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Care: Happy in shade and moist soil. Apply mulch and feed in spring to encourage healthy growth and strong fragrance.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Time to Feed!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Boost your plants now to make the most of the growing season:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Start using liquid tomato food<\/strong> every three weeks to encourage flowering and fruiting.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Did you feed earlier in the year with Growmore or another base fertiliser?<\/strong> Perfect! Now liquid feeding will keep things flourishing.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Free Lawn Care for GardenAdvice Members<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re a GardenAdvice MyGardenTeam member or have taken one of our courses, <strong>you\u2019re entitled to a <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/blog\/free-lawn-care\/\">free lawn care treatment (up to 75 square meters)<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Now\u2019s a great time to book your free treatment. We\u2019ll arrange a visit to feed and treat your lawn, getting it lush and green for summer.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Support for Peonies and Tall growing perennials<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Peonies are shooting up, and many perennials are following suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stop plants&nbsp; flopping early after heavy rain <\/strong>&nbsp;by installing supports now.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Metal supports have skyrocketed in price, so we suggest using <strong>hazel sticks<\/strong> for a more natural and cost-effective method.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No hazel handy? Contact your MyGardenTeam expert \u2013 we can supply some from our copied stock.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Bluebell Boost<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Bluebells are in full swing. To ensure a stunning display again next year:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Feed now with a <strong>liquid tomato feed<\/strong> as flowering finishes.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allow leaves to die back naturally \u2013 bulbs are forming next year\u2019s flowers inside right now.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7.<a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/blog\/growing-tomatoes-with-flavour\/\"> Tomatoes<\/a>, Peppers &amp; Chillies \u2013 Full Steam Ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Get those warm-season crops going!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Tomatoes:<\/strong> Best grown in terracotta pots (with the bottom removed) filled with John Innes No.1 &amp; 2 compost and placed directly onto soil or a grow bag in your greenhouse.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Humidity = flavour.<\/strong> This technique creates ideal humidity and super-rich flavour.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Peppers &amp; Chillies:<\/strong> Grow in similar conditions. Start now as they need a long season \u2014 and may even need to come indoors in autumn.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> Look out for early-started plants at garden centres and B&amp;Q. Many were sown post-Christmas and are useful because they will fruit early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Bonus Tip:<\/strong> Try<a href=\"https:\/\/justseed.com\/products\/franchi-seeds-of-italy-tomato-cuor-di-bue-seeds?\"> <strong>Italian heritage tomatoes<\/strong><\/a>! Less cross-bred than UK F1 varieties, they offer outstanding flavour and natural disease resistance. Well worth the effort!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Beefsteak tomatoes, also known as beef tomatoes Click here&nbsp;to download the audio file ( .wav ) or&nbsp;Click Here&nbsp;to listen as a podcast Spring is well underway, and Easter is the perfect time to take&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":360,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-356","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gardening-calendar"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/amazon-alexa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/356","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/amazon-alexa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/amazon-alexa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/amazon-alexa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/amazon-alexa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=356"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/amazon-alexa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/356\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/amazon-alexa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/360"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/amazon-alexa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=356"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/amazon-alexa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=356"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/amazon-alexa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=356"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}