April is the most exciting month on the gardening calendar. The soil is warming, frosts are lessening, and daylight hours are gradually rising, making now the ideal time to seed and grow a wide range of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Along with deciding what to plant in April, there are lots of other tasks to complete while you finalize your garden ideas, like monitoring for pests and diseases, keeping up with weeding, continuing to split perennials, and pruning and pinching off blossoms as needed. Whether you’re dealing with raised beds, containers, or open ground, this comprehensive guide will show you just what to plant in April for a productive and visually appealing garden season.
Why April is the most important planting month
April marks the transition from the cold to the warm season. In most temperate locations, soil temperatures have risen to the 8-10°C level required for reliable germination. Daylight surpasses 12 hours, causing robust development in both seedlings and existing plants. The gap between final frost and summer heat is at its largest, allowing you to seed sturdy crops straight outside while still beginning fragile crops under cover for transplanting in May. If you skip April, you’ll miss the foundation of your entire gardening season.
Best vegetables to plant in April
These crops are hardy enough to be planted immediately into prepared beds or containers outside in April. They thrive in chilly spring weather and will spread swiftly as temperatures climb over the month.
1. Lettuce & salad leaves
April is the most productive month for sowing. Cut-and-come-again materials can be ready in as little as 3-4 weeks. Sow every two weeks for continued harvesting.
2. Peas
April is peak pea-sowing season. Sow 5 cm deep in two rows. Support with twigs or nets. Harvest in 10-12 weeks.
3. Carrots
Sow thinly in drills 1 cm deep. Carrots detest root disturbance, so avoid transplanting. Thin to 5 cm apart when 3 cm tall.
4. Spring onions
Every three weeks, sow thickly in 1cm deep drills to ensure a constant supply that may be pulled as needed. Thinning is not necessary while growing bunching onions.
Herbs to plant in April
April is perfect for starting a herb garden, both from seed and by transplanting young plants. Hardy perennial herbs can be planted directly outside, whilst sensitive Mediterranean plants should be started inside.
1. Thyme & oregano
Established plants should be planted in well-drained soil in April. Both are Mediterranean herbs that prefer full light and dry conditions – excellent for raised beds.
2. Coriander
Sow directly in a sunny place from April to May. In hot weather, bolting occurs fast; pick slow-bolt cultivars and sow every three weeks for continuous leaf.
3. Parsley
Germination time is notoriously slow (3-4 weeks). Sow in April for a summer harvest. Soak seeds overnight to speed up germination. Keep continuously moist.
4. Basil
Sow indoors at temperatures of 18°C or above in April. Basil hates chilly nights, so do not transplant outside until June. Pinch the flower heads to keep the leaves coming.
What flowers to plant in April
April is ideal for both hardy annual flowers, which may be seeded directly outside, and half-hardy annuals, which can be started indoors. A well-planned April flower sowing will provide flowers from June through to the first frosts.
1. Calendula (pot marigold)
Sow directly in April for blooming in June. Calendula is delicious, medicinal, and a potent companion plant that repels aphids while attracting beneficial insects.
2. Nasturtiums
Sow directly outside in mid-April. Edible spring flowers and leaves. Excellent aphid sacrifice trap crop. Thrive in poor, dry soil—do not overfeed.
3. Cosmos
Plant cosmos indoors in April for June flowers. Frost-tender but fast-growing, they will cover any gap in your borders with fluffy leaves and abundant blossoms.
4. Cornflowers
Simply spread seeds and softly rake in. Cornflowers planted in April bloom from July to September, making them ideal for pollinators and cut flowers.
Fruit to plant in April
April is one of the greatest months for growing fruit in the garden. The bare root season is passed, but pot-grown fruit plants thrive in April’s warm soil and increased rainfall.
1. Strawberries
Plant runners or potted plants in April for a late June-July crop. Remove first-year blooms from newly planted runners to create a stronger crown for the next season.
2. Raspberries
Plant canes in prepared beds now. Summer-fruiting types planted in April will grow and produce the following year.
3. Blueberries
April is great for planting in ericaceous (acidic) compost. If your soil is not naturally acidic (pH less than 5.5), grow it in huge pots.
4. Melon
Sow indoors in April at a temperature of 20°C or above for greenhouse or polytunnels.
Conclusion:
Knowing what to plant in April may significantly improve your gardening experience. With the correct crops, careful planning, and continuous maintenance, you may have a profitable and attractive garden all season.
April provides an ideal blend of weather, soil conditions, and planting chances, making it one of the most significant months for gardeners.
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Frequently asked questions about what to plant in April
Q1: What is the easiest vegetable to plant in April?
A1: Radishes are the simplest and quickest vegetable to produce from an April seed, taking as little as 3-4 weeks with minimum maintenance. Lettuce, spring onions, and peas follow closely following. All may be seeded straight outdoors in April using only seeds and a rake.
Q2: Can I plant potatoes in April?
A2: Yes, in most areas, mid-April is the best time to grow seed potatoes outside. First earlies can be planted as early as April (soil permitting), with maincrops following in mid-to-late April. To protect against late frosts and stimulate the formation of new tubers, earth up the shoots as they emerge.
Q3: What should I not plant in April?
A3: In April, avoid planting frost-tender crops straight outside. This includes tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, courgettes, cucumbers, runner beans, and basil, which must be planted indoors in April and put outside once the risk of frost has passed.
