The allotment in April

With the spring equinox behind us and the hours of daylight lengthening nicely, spring has really arrived at the allotment in April. The extra sunshine and rising temperatures will warm the soil allowing us to sow many seeds direct. Plants that we have grown under cover should get off to a good start when moved to the allotment in April too.

Keep an eye on the weather forecast though, we can still have a cold snap so be ready with cloches or fleece if a frost is forecast.

Easter is usually in April and is the traditional time for planting seed potatoes. Easter Sunday is calculated as the Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox. There are interesting theories about gardening by the moon’s phases with the full moon considered a good time for planting so perhaps the tradition is connected to that. It could simply be that over the years the long holiday weekend has been the first opportunity many working people get to spend a reasonable amount of time on the garden though. Either way, I often plant my seed potatoes at Easter, but not religiously so.

Weeds will be growing strongly now. The best form of defence is attack, so keep your hoe sharp and use it regularly.

If you have a greenhouse, polytunnel or cold frame remember to open it in the daytime to circulate fresh air and prevent temperatures getting too hot. Close before dusk to retain the warmth. Take your developing plants out to harden off in the daytime when appropriate but avoid unseasonably cold days, high winds and heavy rain.

Ready to harvest in April

We’re in the period often referred to as the hungry gap. If we’re lucky we may have the last winter brassica or some early spring cabbage to harvest from the allotment in April. Salad crops sown under cover early in the year may also be ready for picking.

Sow indoors in April

It’s the last chance to sow chillies and peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and aubergines. Don’t delay, it’s a matter of the sooner the better now. They will germinate more quickly in a heated propagator if you have one, but a sunny window sill will also suffice.

Sweetcorn, summer squash such as courgettes and patty pan and winter squash like butternut and Turk’s turban should be sown in pots in the propagator or on a warm sunny window sill this month too.

Sow in the greenhouse in April

As in March many different types of brassica can be sown in the greenhouse in April, amongst these are brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, kale and quick growing summer cabbages like hispi and greyhound. Winter cabbages such as January King can be started now too.

Chard and spinach can also be started in the greenhouse. Though not strictly brassicas, as leafy vegetables we usually plant them in the same beds.

Continue to sow broad beans, peas, mange tout and petit pois in succession for a continuing harvest of tender crops. These can all be sown direct in the allotment now if you prefer. Also for the legumes bed runner beans and French beans can be sown in pots now. These are more tender than broad beans and peas so should not be sown outside yet.

Continue to sow beetroot. There are a variety of colours and shapes available so consider sowing different ones for a plate that is interesting on the eye as well as the taste buds.

Sow and plant outside in April

Most of the crops that can be sown in the greenhouse can be sown direct in the allotment in April. Exceptions are runner beans and French beans which are not tolerant of low temperatures.

Continue to sow beetroot, early carrots, turnips and radish successionally.

If your parsnips are not showing signs of germination sow an additional row. The first sowing may yet germinate and you’ll have an excess of parsnips come autumn but better too many than too few and they keep well in the ground or the freezer and make excellent soup.

Continue to grow summer lettuce and salad leaves successionally in the allotment.

As the roots of broad beans, peas, mange tout and petit pois fill their pots they can be planted out in the allotment in April. Continue to sow successionally, either in the allotment or in pots if you prefer.

Plant seed potatoes this month. They can be planted in succession if required; first earlies followed by second earlies and finally maincrop at intervals of about two weeks. Personally I don’t think this is necessary. Each crop takes a little longer to mature than it’s predecessor so when planted together they will be ready to crop in succession.

Maincrop onion sets and spring planting varieties of garlic that were planted in the greenhouse last month should be planted out in the allotment in April.

Beetroot started in the greenhouse in March should be ready to plant out this month.