UK growing guide · Spring
What can I plant in April?
April is when the UK vegetable garden really starts to move. Soils warm up, growth speeds up and you can sow a wide range of hardy crops outdoors while starting tender summer vegetables under cover. Late cold snaps are still possible, so a little protection keeps early sowings on track.
Back to planting calendarWhat can you sow in April?
April is a great month to build momentum. You can direct sow hardy vegetables outside once the soil is workable, and you can start tender crops indoors for planting out later in spring.
If your soil is cold or heavy, warm it with cloches or fleece and avoid sowing when the ground is waterlogged. Seeds sown into chilly, wet soil often struggle.
Successional sowing (small sowings every couple of weeks) helps spread harvests through summer.
Vegetables to sow indoors or under cover
- Courgettes (warmth needed)
- Marrows, pumpkins, squash (under cover)
- Tomatoes (bright, frost-free spot)
- Cucumbers (under cover)
- Brassicas (seedbed for transplanting later)
Vegetables to sow or plant outdoors
- Carrots, beetroot, radishes (direct sow)
- Lettuce, salad leaves, spinach (successional sow)
- Peas (support early)
- Potatoes (second earlies then maincrop)
- Onion and shallot sets (well-drained soil)
Tip: Keep fleece or cloches handy. A couple of cold nights can slow growth, but protection helps seedlings keep moving.
Tips & common mistakes
April gardening tips and common mistakes
April can feel like the perfect moment to plant everything, but UK weather can still swing between warm days and cold nights. These simple checks help you avoid setbacks.
Sowing into cold, wet soil
If the soil is sticky or waterlogged, wait. Use cloches or fleece to warm beds instead of rushing.
Planting tender crops out too early
Courgettes, squash and tomatoes should stay under cover until after the last frosts and mild nights.
Forgetting to thin seedlings
Carrots, beetroot and salads need space. Thin little and often so plants can size up properly.
Letting weeds get established
Weeds grow quickly in spring. Hoe on dry days so weeds dry out and do not re-root.
Ignoring late frosts
Frost can still happen in April. Protect early potatoes and new seedlings with fleece overnight.
Garden planning and task management features
Sproutly Gardening helps you organise your plants, plan tasks and set reminders so nothing is forgotten.
Record your sowings
Track what you started under cover and what you sowed outdoors.
Plan upcoming jobs
Schedule thinning, staking, hardening off and transplanting.
Set reminders
Stay on top of frost protection and regular watering.
Review your progress
Keep notes on what worked well and what you want to change next year.
Ready to plan your April garden?
Build a strong start to the season. Log your April sowings in Sproutly Gardening and keep your garden organised.
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Gardening advice is provided as a general guide based on typical UK conditions. Weather soil and local climate can vary so always use your judgement and adjust timing as needed for your own garden.