April's garden to-do list | SA Garden and Home

As the air cools and the leaves begin to change, April is the perfect time to get your garden ready for the months ahead.

Whether you’re in the Western Cape, Gauteng, or anywhere in between, Autumn sets the stage for planting, pruning, and preparing your outdoor space for Winter. Here’s what to focus on this month to keep your garden in top shape:

Plant indigenous Spring-flowering bulbs

If you want a stunning spring display, now is the time to plant bulbs.

Indigenous varieties such as Babiana, Chincherinchee, Ixia, Lachenalia, Sparaxis, Tritonia, and Watsonia thrive in South African gardens. Follow these tips to give them the best start:

Pick a sunny spot—Autumn and Winter sun is less intense, but bulbs still need good light.
Ensure well-draining soil by mixing in compost before planting.
Small bulbs (like Ixia and Lachenalia) should be planted 5cm deep and 5cm apart, while larger bulbs (like freesias and Dutch iris) should be 10cm deep and 10cm apart.
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged—watering every 4-5 days should do the trick.
Feed with bulb food every two weeks to encourage strong growth and beautiful flowers.

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Your April gardening checklist

Plant and sow

Drought-tolerant plants: Bougainvillea, spekboom, rosemary, leucadendron, and wild iris will thrive with minimal water.

Winter veggies: Sow broad beans, peas, cauliflower, onions, potatoes, and turnips now for a hearty harvest.

Flowers for winter and spring: Plant African daisies, lobelias, nemesias, pansies, snapdragons, and sweet peas for a garden bursting with colour.

Strawberries: Plant runners and cover the soil with straw to keep fruit from rotting.

Feed and care

Azaleas, camellias, and tea bushes—Give them a dose of fertiliser and mulch with compost before the rains.

Container plants—Boost their growth with Nitrosol.

Sweet peas—Feed with 2:3:2 fertilizer and pinch outside shoots for better vertical growth.

Citrus trees—Sprinkle a handful of magnesium sulfate to support healthy leaves and fruit development. Check for pests like citrus psylla and treat with an organic insect spray if needed.

Prune and tidy up

Trim evergreen hedges and shape summer-flowering shrubs.
Deadhead roses to encourage one last flush of blooms before winter.
Cut back dahlias to 20cm above soil level and lift bulbs for storage in a cool, dry place.
Clear away dead branches to improve airflow and keep plants healthy.

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Prepare your garden for Winter

Leave fallen leaves—They make excellent mulch and enrich the soil as they break down.

Feed the soil—Use slow-release fertilizers to enhance soil quality for Winter.

Strengthen your lawn—Apply a potassium-rich fertilizer to keep it healthy through the colder months.

Divide perennials—Autumn is a great time to propagate and expand your favourite plants.

Prevent pest damage—Use organic treatments to keep leaf miners at bay.

Smart gardening tips for April

Compost garden waste: Turn leaves, grass clippings, and pruned branches into rich compost.
Recycle kitchen scraps: A Bokashi Digester is a great indoor composting solution.
Plant bird-friendly shrubs: Cape honeysuckle, cross-berry, and lion’s ear attract local birdlife and add beauty to your space.

April is all about setting the foundation for a thriving garden in the seasons to come. Get your hands dirty, enjoy the crisp Autumn air, and watch your garden flourish in the months ahead!

ALSO SEE: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT APRIL’S BIRTH FLOWERS