{"id":1023,"date":"2026-04-07T09:26:39","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T08:26:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/fionaandmichael\/?p=1023"},"modified":"2026-04-07T09:27:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T08:27:32","slug":"garden-tasks-for-the-next-few-weeks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/fionaandmichael\/garden-tasks-for-the-next-few-weeks\/","title":{"rendered":"Garden Tasks for the Next Few Weeks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"434\" src=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/fionaandmichael\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/175\/2024\/04\/espalier-apple.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-870\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/fionaandmichael\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/175\/2024\/04\/espalier-apple.jpg 650w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/fionaandmichael\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/175\/2024\/04\/espalier-apple-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/fionaandmichael\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/175\/2024\/04\/espalier-apple-520x347.jpg 520w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/fionaandmichael\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/175\/2024\/04\/espalier-apple-320x214.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the growing season gets underway, now is the ideal time to focus on a few key gardening tasks that will set your garden up for success over the coming months. Below is a practical guide covering pest control, lawn care, and vegetable growing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pest Control and Fruit Tree Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Slug and Snail Control with Nematodes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Applying nematodes to vegetable areas is an effective preventative measure against slugs and snails. These microscopic organisms naturally target soil-dwelling pests and help protect young plants as they establish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More information:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/blog\/natural-slug-control-with-nematodes\/\">https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/blog\/natural-slug-control-with-nematodes\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Codling Moth Control in Apple Trees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To protect developing fruit, install a pheromone trap in apple trees. This helps monitor and reduce codling moth populations, preventing damage to apples later in the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/gardening-tips\/codling-moth\/\">https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/gardening-tips\/codling-moth\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lawn Establishment and Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If sowing clover into a lawn, preparation and aftercare are key:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ensure hoses or irrigation are set up before sowing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep the lawn consistently damp for approximately 14 days<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid letting the surface dry out during germination<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Even during cooler periods, improving temperatures can provide ideal growing conditions, so timing remains important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Preparing Garden Areas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Using Sheeting for Weed Control<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Covering beds with black sheeting is a simple and effective way to suppress weeds:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lay the sheeting over the soil surface<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Secure it firmly using pegs or weights<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Leave in place until planting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You can create simple pegs by cutting wire into approximately 8-inch lengths and bending them into a U-shape. Alternatively, ready-made landscape staples are widely available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Example:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Galvanized-Gardening-Staples-Landscape-Securing\/dp\/B08K47B3RJ\/\">https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Galvanized-Gardening-Staples-Landscape-Securing\/dp\/B08K47B3RJ\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mulching Around Raised Beds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Applying wood chips around raised beds helps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Suppress weeds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Retain moisture<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improve soil structure over time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vegetable Growing Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Growing Through Sheeting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Planting through weed-suppressing sheeting is a practical way to reduce maintenance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cut holes where crops will be planted<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Suitable crops include potatoes and sweetcorn<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Guide to growing potatoes through sheeting:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/katy\/controlling-ground-elder-with-potatoes\/\">https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/katy\/controlling-ground-elder-with-potatoes\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Choosing Seeds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A reliable seed supplier is essential for good results:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wholesale.molesseeds.co.uk\">https:\/\/www.wholesale.molesseeds.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">General Vegetable Growing Advice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Experiment with different crops<\/strong> \u2013 results vary year to year depending on weather conditions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Succession sowing<\/strong> \u2013 sow small amounts of crops like peas, lettuce, chard, and rocket every couple of weeks for a continuous harvest<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Plan ahead<\/strong> \u2013 consider introducing winter crops such as winter lettuce and spinach later in the season<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>At this stage of the year, the focus should be on establishing strong foundations in the garden. With a combination of good preparation, consistent watering, and a willingness to experiment, you can build a productive and resilient garden that improves year after year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the growing season gets underway, now is the ideal time to focus on a few key gardening tasks that will set your garden up for success over the coming months. Below is a&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":487,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1023","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/fionaandmichael\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1023","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/fionaandmichael\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/fionaandmichael\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/fionaandmichael\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/fionaandmichael\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1023"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/fionaandmichael\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1023\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/fionaandmichael\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/487"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/fionaandmichael\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1023"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/fionaandmichael\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1023"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/fionaandmichael\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1023"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}