Direct sow hardy annuals such as Marigolds (Calendula officinalis), Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus), Poppies (Papaver) and Cosmos for plenty of Summer colour.

The weather can still be cold in April so it it important not to plant outside tender vegetables until the risk of frost has passed. Hardier vegetables such as broad beans, carrots, beetroot and salad leaves can be sown directly into the soil.

Deadhead daffodils before they form seed pods, removing only the flowerhead and leaving the foliage to die back naturally so that the plants energy can go into the bulbs for next year’s display.

Many woodland flowers will bloom this month to take advantage of sunlight before the trees come into full leaf and the plants are deprived of light. Wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa) is a plant that flowers this month and may be an indicator of ancient woodland as it is particularly slow-growing. Other woodland plants to look out for include Wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) with its white flowers with purple veins and heart-shaped leaves, Primrose (Primula vulgaris), Townhall clock (Adoxa moschatellina) and Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna).

Along verges and in fields the Cuckoo flower or Lady’s smock (Cardamine pratensis), Cowslips (Primula veris) and Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) are examples of some of the plants that will be coming into flower.

In April trees and bushes will be coming into leaf and producing blossom. The leaves of Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) will be opening (the blossom appears later) but Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) produces a mass of white flowers this month on bare, thorny branches before the leaves appear. Ash trees (Fraxinus excelsior) will flower before their leaves appear whereas the flowers of Horse chestnut trees (Aesculus hipposcastanum) open after their leaves unfurl.