April is typically a lovely month in the garden. With longer days, more sunshine, and the soil warming up, it’s the perfect time to begin sowing for spring. However, April does come with its risks—frosts can still make an appearance, and those infamous April showers are never far behind! Fortunately, if you have a Rhino Greenhouse, your seeds will be protected, allowing you to continue gardening without worry. One of the joys of April is the frequent appearance of rainbows. After a rain shower, I often spot a vibrant, colourful arc over the allotment, and with the greenhouse brimming with seedlings, it’s a sight that never fails to lift my spirits.
One of my favourite spots in the allotment is the wildflower patch, where every year brings a new, beautiful surprise. It’s also a haven for pollinators, from bees and ladybirds to hoverflies and lacewings. I can spend hours simply watching the buzzing activity. This year, I’ve decided to transform the unsightly area at the back of my allotment into another wildflower patch, complete with seating for a peaceful spot to enjoy a cup of herbal tea after a day’s work. While many might picture perfectly the manicured gardens of social media and magazines, the reality is that most gardeners have at least one corner that needs some TLC—this is mine!
Planting wildflowers can be as simple as scattering seeds and hoping for the best. However, for the best results, the soil needs a bit of preparation. This April, in addition to sowing, I’ll be clearing the area to create a beautiful, tranquil space.
Start by removing any weeds and stones, then rake the soil. If your soil is heavy or clumpy, gently fork the top layer to loosen it. For larger areas, I mix my wildflower seeds with sand, which helps distribute them evenly and makes it easier to see where they’ve been spread. This approach creates a natural, integrated look, rather than the more rigid, formal lines of sowing. Once the seeds are spread, gently firm them down with the back of the rake, but don’t bury them. Water with a fine mist to avoid displacing the seeds, and make sure to water weekly if rain is scarce.
The hawthorn hedgerow at the back of my allotment is home to many birds, and I love listening to their songs and watching them gather nesting materials and worms for their young. However, these birds also enjoy munching on wildflower seeds, so I’ve covered the patch with a layer of horticultural fleece to protect the seeds until they’ve germinated.
There’s a wide variety of wildflower mixes available, so it’s important to choose one that suits your garden’s conditions. For instance, a shade mix might include Foxgloves and Cowslips, while a chalky soil mix could feature Greater Knapweed and Kidney Vetch. For loamy soil, I’m planting a mix with Tufted Vetch and Ragged Robin, and for heavy clay soils, there’s a mix with Bettany and Meadow Sweet. The variety is exciting, and I can’t wait to see what blooms.
Looking forward to updating you on the progress later in the year!