What to sow in April

zoom

Sow lots of vegetables now – in fact anything that could have been sown in March can be sown now but it is less likely to rot and neither does it need a cloche as the soil should be warmer now.

• Broad beans
• Summer cabbage
• Brussels sprouts
• Early peas
• Calabrese
• Summer/autumn cauliflower
• Sprouting broccoli
• Leeks
• Beetroot
• Radish
• Spring onions
• Lettuce
• Rocket
• Turnips
• Kohl rabi
• Spinach
• Parsley
• Swiss chard
• Chicory
• Endive
• Carrots
• Onions
• Parsnips

Once the seeds of the above have germinated they need to be thinned out, just pull out the weakest seedling and leave the stronger plants spaced at the distances below.

• Broad beans – double rows, 20 x 20 cm (8 x 8”), with 45 cm (18”) in between rows.
• Beetroot – 10cm (4”) apart, 30cm (12”) between rows.
• Calabrese – transplant 45 x 45cm (18 x 18”)
• Carrots – 5cm (2”) apart (but best not thinned out as this will attract the carrot fly), with 15cm (6”) in between rows.
• Chicory – 15 – 20cm (6-8”) apart. 30cm (12”) in between rows.
• Endive – 30cm (12”) apart, 30-4
• Kohl rabi – 15cm (6in) apart, 30cm (12in) between rows
• Leeks – 10cm (4in) apart, 30cm (12in) between rows
• Lettuce – 15-30cm (6-12in) apart, 30cm (12in) between rows
• Onions – 15cm (6in) apart, 30cm (12in) between rows
• Parsley – 15cm (6in) apart, 15cm (6in) between rows
• Parsnip – 15cm (6in) apart, 30cm (12in) between rows
• Peas – double rows 15cm (6in) apart, 60cm (24in) between rows
• Radish – 2.5cm (1in) apart, 15cm (6in) between rows
• Rocket – 10c, (4in) apart, 15cm (6in) between rows
• Spinach – 15cm (6in) apart, 30cm (12in) between rows
• Spring onions – 2.5cm (1in) apart, 15cm (6in) between rows
• Sprouting broccoli, Brussels sprouts – transplant 60x60cm (24x24in)
• Summer cabbage – transplant 30x30cm (12x12in) or more depending on variety
• Summer/autumn cauliflower – transplant 60x60cm (24x24in)
• Swiss chard – 20cm (8in) apart, 30cm (12in) between rows
• Turnips – 8cm (3in) apart, 15cm (6in) between rows