April the perfect time for planting and sowing

Growing conditions are at the "optimum" level in April, it has been claimed, making now the best time for greenhouse enthusiasts to plant and sow.

In its green-fingered tips for this month, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) said under cover summer veg should be planted now, the Daily Telelgraph reports.

Young tomatoes, aubergines, peppers and chillies should be added to the greenhouse at this point to ensure best results, it added.

As well as that, it is important to get control of any weeds in the garden at this time of year, the organisation noted, to prevent them from getting too comfortable.

"On a dry, sunny day hoe annual weeds before they seed," it suggested.

Due to the harsh winter many lawns will need raking and then re-seeding, the society added, but germination should be quick as the temperature starts to warm up.

In a recent article for the same publication, Rosemary Alexander said sprucing up the garden in preparation for spring by neatening up edges and paths is a great idea.