At last the evenings are longer, the weather is milder and it's time to get back out in the garden! However, sowings outside may prove difficult due to the cold and wet soil at this time - but warming up the soil of prepared areas with cloches will protect from frost and rain. Leave the cloches in place for at least two or three weeks when the soil can be raked prior to seed sowing and planting out of young seedlings. And don't forget that "Sweet April showers do spring May flowers" so don't let the occasional spot of rain get you down!

Hosepipe bans and water shortages seem to the main story at the moment and you may be wondering whether you will be affected. The Environment Agency website has regularly updated details on the effects of the drought, while the Telegraph has some very helpful ideas on how you can reduce water-dependency in the garden. And why not consider a water butt from our sister company Ferndale Lodge?

Last month, we mentioned an article in the Times about gardening guerillas. The story's now moved on and BBC News reports on a two-night blitz on a barren traffic island on Westminster Bridge Road in London, which now boasts an array of new shrubs and bulbs. And the spoof website DeadBrain reports on a case of gardening gorillas - read with a pinch of salt!

Vegetables:
Many vegetables can be sown in the greenhouse to obtain an early start. Sowings can be made of Runner and French Beans, Aubergine, Capsicum, Celeriac, Courgette and Marrow. Towards the end of April sowings of Cucumber and Melon may be made. Tomato seed can also be sown now in a warm place which will provide plants for either planting out in early June or growing on in an unheated greenhouse. Herbs can be sown in the greenhouse and many can be sown outdoors. Cauliflower seedlings produced from seed sown earlier may be pricked out and placed in seed trays for growing on so plantings can be made later in spring.  Continue to make sowings of Carrot and Lettuce on a regular basis. Second Early Potatoes should be planted during the early part of the month and Main Crop varieties towards the end. Onion Sets, along with seedlings already grown, can be planted in rows remembering to leave enough space so as you can use the hoe for weeding. If Shallots haven't already been planted they should be done so as soon as possible. Leeks can be sown in the nursery bed and then transplanted into their final rows in the summer. Plant Asparagus Crowns in beds that have been prepared well.   

Flowers:
Seed of half-hardy bedding plants may be sown in trays in greenhouses or on windowsills,  pricked out when large enough to handle into individual pots, remembering to water regularly and given a weekly feed. Summer bedding plants raised earlier can be planted into hanging baskets or containers and grown on in the greenhouse until moving outdoors at the end of May/early June, depending on weather conditions. A wide range of hardy annuals can be sown in their flowering positions and these would include Cornflower, Cosmea, Echium, Helichrysum, Limnanthes and Matthiola. Sweet Peas may also be sown outside in their flowering position.Spring flowering plants such as Primroses and Pansies should still be looked after by removing any dead-heads or fading flower-heads to encourage further flowers.

Bulbs:
Begonia tubers can still be planted into pots for growing in the greenhouse, remembering to make sure the concave part of the tuber is uppermost and lightly covered with compost. A weekly feed is recommended and as they grow can be potted on. Towards the end of the month plant Dahlia tubers outdoors, if weather conditions are suitable, with a 10cm (4") covering of soil, however, if it is still cold in your area leave planting until later in the month.  To prolong the flowering period of Gladioli plant at intervals. For filling in gaps in the garden, Lilies can be grown in pots enabling you to move them around.

This year, we've extended last order dates for most of our summer flowering plants so many of your favourites are still available. But hurry as time is tight - click here to see the full range.

With best wishes from all of us at Suttons,