Get busy, gardeners told

16:13 23rd April 2010

After months of bitterly cold weather, growers can finally get out of their greenhouse and into their gardens.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has released a number of tips for spring gardening to help Brits get to grips with being back outdoors.

It suggested that April is an ideal month for gardening as, in spite of the "inevitable" showers, it is generally when the weather begins to warm up.

Those who have been growing seedlings in the greenhouse can transplant them outdoors now, although it is important to be aware of any late frosts.

Fruit blossom should be protected against surprise cold snaps, but it should be warm enough to start sowing hardy annuals, new lawns and herbs.

Those planting new specimens should be especially keen to keep on top of weeding in order to give them room to grow.

House and greenhouse plants will need more frequent watering, while citrus plants should be given a good feed.

In other news, the RHS has revealed that a Bedfordshire garden is set to open to the public for the first time as part of its 200th anniversary celebrations.