What to sow in April

Welcome to spring and the real beginning of growing season. Although seeds were sown in February, April is a great catch up month for sowings. Mainly because the soil is much warmer, so things grow quicker and tend to catch up. If you are wanting to sow tomatoes, peppers and aubergines, the first week of April really is your last chance.

April is the month where we start thinking ahead for summer crops. As gardeners we always have to be a season ahead. It’s why a lot of people don’t tend to grow an autumn/winter garden. Because they don’t realise you have to start sowing it in the middle of a hot summer.

So, what can you grow in April? There’s a whole heap of things. Here’s a list:

• Courgette

• Carrots

• Lettuce

• Peas

• Squash

• Pumpkins

• Melons

• Cucumber

• Spring Onion

• Onion/Shallot sets

• Beetroot

• Parsnips

• Sweetcorn

• Soya beans

• Basil

• Leeks

• Celery

What I will say, is that you need to check your last frost date. A lot of these things are frost tender and they also grow really quickly. Squash, courgette, pumpkins….they are all rapid growers. You can’t put them outside until all chance of frost has gone. So be mindful of your timings. You can find out the last frost date for your area on Google. I like to add a week on, or at least check then ten day forecast religiously. Random frosts have been known to appear as far as late May.

Melons and cucumbers don’t particularly like their roots being disturbed, so the less you have to pot them on, the better. Carrots, beetroot, spring onions, parsnips and peas do great if you can direct sow them. This will save space at home too.