April is filled with days of both sunshine and showers and it is the month that really kicks off life in the garden. Vegetable season really takes off this month. Although be warned as frosts are still likely to make an appearance. Before sowing seeds, it is a good idea to check the weather forecast for frost.
When sowing seeds directly outdoors it can be difficult to keep the seedlings happy as they may have to compete with surrounding weeds. It is a good idea to clearly mark the areas where you plant your seeds to help you to identify the exact location of where you sowed the seeds. Having an idea of the shape and appearance of a variety’s plant leaf will also help you ensure you are removing only surrounding weeds and not the seedlings that you want to keep.
Here is our list of seeds you can sow from April:
Vegetable / Salad Seeds
Seeds to sow inside
- Aubergines
- Beans
- Celery
- Chilli peppers
- Courgettes
- Cucumbers
- Marrows
- Pumpkins
- Runner Beans
- Salad Leaves
- Squash
- Tomatoes
Seeds to sow directly outside
- Beetroot
- Carrots
- Leeks
- Parsnips
- Peas
- Radishes
- Spring Onions
Herbs
Seeds to sow inside
- Basil
- Chives
Seeds to sow directly outside
- Coriander
- Dill
- Parsley
Flower
Seeds to sow inside
- Cosmos
- Dahlias
- Echninacea
- Lupins
- Nasturtium
- Rudbeckia
- Snapdragons
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
Seeds to sow directly outside
- Eryngiums
- Love-in-a-mist
- Poppies
- Sweet Peas
- Wildflower seed mixes
What you will need
- Seed trays, module trays or pots with drainage holes
- Seed sowing compost
- Seeds
- Hand Trowel
- Cling film/ glass or a heated propagator with lid
Read our article for a step by step guide and for tips on sowing seeds