Sowing in April
April is the busiest sowing month. Nearly everything hardy can be sown directly now and the first raised brassicas can go out. Night frosts are still normal, though: keep fleece to hand and leave the heat-lovers indoors a while longer.
Start indoors in April
23 plants
- Basilall monthOcimum basilicum
- Broccoliall monthBrassica oleracea var. italica
- Brussels sproutsall monthBrassica oleracea var. gemmifera
- Butterhead lettuceall monthLactuca sativa var. capitata
- Cauliflowerall monthBrassica oleracea var. botrytis
- Courgettefrom mid AprilCucurbita pepo
- Cucamelonall monthMelothria scabra
- Cucumberfrom early AprilCucumis sativus
- Kohlrabiall monthBrassica oleracea var. gongylodes
- Leekuntil early AprilAllium porrum
- Lemon balmall monthMelissa officinalis
- Lovageuntil mid AprilLevisticum officinale
- Marjoramall monthOriganum majorana
- Melonearly April – late AprilCucumis melo
- Oreganoall monthOriganum vulgare
- Pumpkinfrom mid AprilCucurbita maxima
- Red cabbageuntil mid AprilBrassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra
- Sageall monthSalvia officinalis
- Savoy cabbageall monthBrassica oleracea var. sabauda
- Sweetcornfrom mid AprilZea mays convar. saccharata
- Thymeall monthThymus vulgaris
- Tomatountil early AprilSolanum lycopersicum
- White cabbageuntil mid AprilBrassica oleracea var. capitata f. alba
Sow outdoors in April
23 plants
- Beetrootfrom early AprilBeta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris
- Black salsifyall monthScorzonera hispanica
- Broad beanuntil early AprilVicia faba
- Butterhead lettuceall monthLactuca sativa var. capitata
- Carrotall monthDaucus carota subsp. sativus
- Chervilall monthAnthriscus cerefolium
- Chivesall monthAllium schoenoprasum
- Corianderfrom early AprilCoriandrum sativum
- Dillall monthAnethum graveolens
- Hamburg parsleyall monthPetroselinum crispum subsp. tuberosum
- Kohlrabiall monthBrassica oleracea var. gongylodes
- Loose-leaf lettuceall monthLactuca sativa var. crispa
- Mangetoutall monthPisum sativum var. saccharatum
- Mooli radishall monthRaphanus sativus var. longipinnatus
- Onionuntil mid AprilAllium cepa
- Parsleyall monthPetroselinum crispum
- Parsnipall monthPastinaca sativa
- Peaall monthPisum sativum
- Radishall monthRaphanus sativus var. sativus
- Rocketall monthEruca vesicaria subsp. sativa
- Spinachuntil mid AprilSpinacia oleracea
- Spring onionall monthAllium fistulosum
- Swiss chardfrom early AprilBeta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris var. cicla
Plant out in April
13 plants
- Broccolifrom late AprilBrassica oleracea var. italica
- Butterhead lettuceall monthLactuca sativa var. capitata
- Cauliflowerfrom mid AprilBrassica oleracea var. botrytis
- Dwarf peachuntil mid AprilPrunus persica
- Figall monthFicus carica
- Jerusalem artichokeall monthHelianthus tuberosus
- Kohlrabiall monthBrassica oleracea var. gongylodes
- Mintfrom mid AprilMentha × piperita
- Onionall monthAllium cepa
- Potatoall monthSolanum tuberosum
- Rhubarbuntil mid AprilRheum rhabarbarum
- Shallotuntil mid AprilAllium cepa var. aggregatum
- Table grapeall monthVitis vinifera
Harvest in April
7 plants
- Chivesfrom mid AprilAllium schoenoprasum
- Loose-leaf lettucefrom late AprilLactuca sativa var. crispa
- Radishfrom mid AprilRaphanus sativus var. sativus
- Rhubarbfrom mid AprilRheum rhabarbarum
- Rocketfrom mid AprilEruca vesicaria subsp. sativa
- Rosemaryall monthSalvia rosmarinus
- Spinachfrom mid AprilSpinacia oleracea
These timings are for the moderate climate band. In the mild west everything runs about two weeks earlier, in harsh uplands two weeks later. Adjust for your region
All timings are guide values for the given climate, not a guarantee. Weather, aspect and variety all have a say.