What to Sow in April
Full swing — warmth returns and almost everything can be sown.
April is one of the most productive sowing months. The soil is warming steadily and daylight is generous. Tender crops still need protection, but a vast range of vegetables, herbs, and flowers can now be started with confidence.
Dates assume a temperate Central European climate. Warmer regions can sow a little earlier; colder or higher areas a little later. Ask a coach if you’d like advice for your own climate zone.
Start indoors / under cover
Courgettes, squash & pumpkins
VegetablesSow seeds on their edge 2 cm deep in individual pots at 18-21°C; they grow fast, so do not start too early.
Cucumbers
VegetablesSow 1 cm deep on edge at 20-25°C for greenhouse or outdoor growing.
Sweetcorn
VegetablesSow 2-3 cm deep in modules; they resent root disturbance, so use deep cells.
French & runner beans (late April)
VegetablesStart in pots indoors 4-5 cm deep for planting out after the last frost.
Sow direct outdoors
Carrots, beetroot & parsnips
VegetablesContinue successional sowing 1-2 cm deep for a steady supply.
Chard, kale & lettuce
VegetablesSow 1-2 cm deep directly; thin seedlings as they grow.
Hardy annual flowers (calendula, cornflower, poppy)
FlowersScatter and rake in lightly where they are to flower.
Tips for April
- Begin successional sowing of salads and roots every 2-3 weeks to avoid gluts and gaps.
- Keep tender crops (beans, courgettes, tomatoes) indoors until the frost risk has truly passed.
- Hoe weeds while small and dry — a few minutes now saves hours later.
Harvesting now
Asparagus, spring cabbage, rhubarb, and the first cut-and-come-again salads.