Vegetable Growing Tips for April

Here we are in April and the days are getting longer and the sun is getting stronger.

Now is the ideal time to consider seed sowing and taking delivery of the young plants you have ordered. Bear in mind that those young plants will still need protecting from the frost at night but they will enjoy the warmth and light of the days. Soon you will see them racing away with the optimism that comes with Spring days.

Cauliflowers

Prick out seedlings from earlier sowings of cauliflower, putting them into seed trays and allowing space for them to grow in readiness for planting out later in the spring.

Tomatoes

Tomato seed can still be sown in a warm place to provide plants for either growing on in an unheated greenhouse or planting out early in June. Later sowings very often quickly catch up earlier sowings and can be better as the early sowings can become a bit “leggy” when grown when daylight hours are short. Choose varieties to best suit your own taste and requirements.

Sweet Corn

Sweet Corn seed can be sown in warm conditions at this time so that plants will be ready for planting outside in early summer. Picked fresh, cooked and dripping with butter – well worth the wait!

Carrots and Lettuce

Carrot and lettuce seed can be sown on a regular basis. Sow a few lettuce seed at regular intervals to ensure a good succession and try sowing carrots in scattered blocks rather than regimented rows.

Potatoes

Second Early varieties of potatoes should be planted out in the early part of this month, with Main Crop varieties towards the end.

Onions

Remember to leave enough space for weed hoeing when planting rows of onion sets and check regularly after planting to push back any pulled up by birds before they have anchored themselves in properly.

Cabbages, Sprouts and Leeks

Summer/Autumn cabbages, brussels sprouts and leeks can be sown in seedbeds ready for transplanting later.

Garlic

Plant individual cloves of garlic approximately 5cm (2") deep, 15cm (6") apart.

Herbs

Herb cuttings from last summer that were potted up which are now well-rooted can be potted up separately.

Timely Tip

Rake over land be used for early sowings and cover with either cloches or polythene to keep warm.

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