With families in virtual lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus, opportunities to get outside are few and far between.

Under government rules, we should only leave the house once a day for exercise.

This is where our gardens become even more important - a safe sanctuary and somewhere to spend time in the fresh air safely.

And gardening is a great boredom-buster and low-impact form of exercise the whole family can enjoy together.

To help you make the most of your garden in these uncertain times, Welland Vale Garden Centre has teamed up with Oakham Nub News to provide a fortnightly gardening column.

In the first of the series, here's garden centre supervisor Kate Everett's expert advice:

April in the garden...

By now you've probably given your lawn its first cut of the season and even carried out a spring clean of your garden, forked over the borders, cleaned the greenhouse and given the patio a sweep!

If not, then now's the perfect time to see to these essential jobs.

April weather...

For many of us Brits, it has been a very wet winter indeed.

The ground has been unworkable in many places and so a lot of jobs that would usually be done in late winter haven't been.

However, the good news is that it is not too late to finish that winter digging now!

The same can be said for pruning roses - at the latest mid-April before they really start putting on fresh new growth.

The mild sunny weather that we often get in April may certainly fool us into thinking that summer has finally arrived.

However, watch out for frost snaps that can catch you out!

The night time temperatures can often drop to freezing, so hold off planting out tender young plants until May and continue to cover your frost tender plants at night.

Jobs for April...

• Spring clean your borders by hoeing away weeds, raking leaves and digging over if you haven't already done so.

• Feed the borders and top dress any plant pots such as roses, shrubs and trees with a good general fertiliser, well rotted manure or garden compost.

• Treat moss and weeds in the lawn with a spring lawn dressing and water in well.

• Weed paths and patios and take advantage of the soft ground by cutting your lawn edging.

• Sow broad beans, leeks, spring onions, early peas, summer cabbage, turnips, carrots and broccoli.

• Wait for at least six weeks after spring flowering bulbs have finished flowering before removing the foliage - it is tempting to tidy them up, but leaving the foliage will ensure that the bulb gets enough energy for next years flowers.

Project...

Now is the time to plant summer bulbs!

Summer bulbs illuminate borders and create wonderful container garden displays. Some even make great cut flowers.

And like all bulbs, they are also very easy to grow. Simply put them in the ground and leave them to it!

You can also plant summer bulbs in pots...

Step 1

For bulbs that are only going to spend one season in their container, use a mix of three parts multi-purpose compost with one part grit. For long-term container displays use three parts John Innes No 2 compost mixed with one part grit.

Step 2

Good drainage is important to avoid waterlogging and rotten bulbs, so add crocks to the base of the container. You can use broken bits of old terracotta pots.

Step 3

Start filling the pot with compost mix. Bulbs should be planted at three times their own height and placed one bulb apart. Make sure the point of the bulb is facing upwards.

Step 4

Cover the bulbs with the remaining compost, leaving an inch at the top of the container for watering. Firm the compost down.

Step 5

Water the bulbs well to make sure moisture reaches down to them and doesn't just wet the top of the compost.

Summer Bulbs we recommend:

Crocosmia

Agapanthus

Begonia

Lily of the valley

Freesia

Gladiolus

Dahlia

Lilies

Plants looking good right now...

Spiraea 'Arguta' - Bridal Wreath

Forsythia × intermedia 'Lynwood Variety'

Amelanchier lamarckii - Juneberry

Chaenomles - Flowering Quince

Camellia japonica

Magnolia stellata

Aubrieta

Welland Vale Garden Centre is offering a free home delivery service - for orders over £20 and within a 20 mile radius - for all you gardening needs during the coronavirus outbreak.

Deliveries are made in a safe, contactless way and no signature will be required.

Simply call 01572 822729 between 9am and 12noon Monday to Friday or email [email protected], remembering to include a contact number, and giving details of what you would like to order.

You can also order some items online.