Autumn is well upon us, but it's not too late to plant crops for winter eating. Some things, like brassicas, should mostly have been planted by now, and be fairly well established, though there are a few that are worth trying now. But this is the perfect time to plant those crops that prefer the cooler months. You might also try putting in some more brassicas, but until you know if that works in your garden, don't count on them as a major winter crop if planting now.
The following is my list of what I can sow/plant in my garden in April. Where you live may have different conditions, but this could be a good starting point for you to investigate or experiment to see what does well in your garden when planted in April.
Keep in mind, for a lot of plants growth slows to almost a complete halt once the daylight length gets below 10 hours a day. So it's important to get plants established enough before winter to provide edibles over winter, when new growth isn't really happening.
The following is my list of what I can sow/plant in my garden in April. Where you live may have different conditions, but this could be a good starting point for you to investigate or experiment to see what does well in your garden when planted in April.
Keep in mind, for a lot of plants growth slows to almost a complete halt once the daylight length gets below 10 hours a day. So it's important to get plants established enough before winter to provide edibles over winter, when new growth isn't really happening.
Leafy Greens Cavolo nero (Tuscan Kale) Endive Chinese cabbage Bok choy/pak choi Leaf lettuce- all varieties Choho Mitzuna Corn salad Lamb's quarters Spinach Kale Mizuna Rocket Parcel Silverbeet Red mustard Red sorrel Root Veges Carrots Radish Beetroot Swedes Turnips HerbsParsley (seedlings) Sage Coriander Chervil Dill | Legumes Broad Beans Peas Other Vegetables Broccoli - sprouting Celery Celeriac Florence Fennel Leeks (seedlings) Zucchini - greenhouse only Asparagus (crowns) Artichokes Kohl rabi (seedlings) Rhubarb (crowns) Spring onions FlowersDaffodils and other spring bulbs Poppies Sweet peas Cinerarias Primulas Phacelia Lupins Calendula Cornflowers Get Ready For... Some folk plant allium plants from April onwards. I prefer to wait a bit later. But at least be thinking about and have on hand the following ready to plant (my preferred planting times in brackets): Shallots (May-August), Garlic (May-July), Egyptian Walking Onions (May-August), Onion seed (June/July). |
Key Tasks This Month:
There's a lot to do in the garden in April! Apart from preparing beds and sowing or planting the above, some of the key tasks might include:
- Clearing away spent plants and weeds
- Spreading compost/manure/mulch on beds
- Covering beds that will not be used over winter with thick mulch and/or a light-excluder such as old carpet or black plastic
- Harvesting and preserving/storing produce - in my garden that's mainly pumpkins, watermelons, quince, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, beetroot, spaghetti squash, nasturtiums, some late berries & grapes, marrows, late sweetcorn and chestnuts
- Collecting and drying seeds from flowers and herbs
- Cutting and drying herbs (if you wish - I don't generally bother as there are plenty of fresh herbs available in the garden all year round).
- Pruning away spent raspberry canes and bramble vines (blackberry/boysenberry)
- Making compost piles - as much as you can!
- Prune and mulch citrus - and feed if in warmer areas (not down south)
- Sharpening up the pruning tools and making a list of what needs pruning when - pruning done at the right time, a lot of it in winter, sets plants and trees up for good producing next season.
So, happy April gardening! What will you be planting?
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