What to Plant in April in the UK
Everything to sow and plant in April across UK gardens. Covers vegetables, flowers, herbs, and fruit for indoor and outdoor growing.
Key takeaways
- Over 30 crops can be sown or planted in April across UK gardens
- Direct sow carrots, beetroot, radish, and spinach outdoors once soil reaches 10C
- Plant second early potatoes in early April and maincrops from mid-April
- Start courgettes, squash, and sweetcorn indoors for late May planting out
- Hardy annual flowers like calendula and cornflowers go directly into borders
- Do not plant tender crops outdoors until after the last frost in late May
April is when UK gardens shift into full spring mode. Soil temperatures climb above 10C across southern England, daylight stretches past 14 hours, and the range of crops you can sow outdoors expands dramatically. If March was about getting started, April is about building momentum.
This guide covers every vegetable, flower, herb, and fruit you can sow or plant in April. It builds on our March planting guide and connects forward to what to plant in May. For the full year view, see our UK vegetable planting calendar. All timings are based on UK conditions with adjustments for northern and southern gardens.
Outdoor vegetable sowings
April opens the door to a much wider range of outdoor sowings. The soil is warmer, the days are longer, and seedlings grow faster than March-sown crops.
Root vegetables
Carrots are the signature April sowing. Sow thinly in rows 15cm apart, 1cm deep. Cover immediately with fine mesh or enviromesh to prevent carrot fly, which locates crops by scent. The barrier must be at least 60cm high because carrot fly stays close to the ground. Thin seedlings to 5cm apart when they reach 5cm tall.
Beetroot sown in April produces roots from late June. Each beetroot seed is actually a cluster of 2-4 seeds. Sow 3cm deep in rows 20cm apart and thin to one seedling per station when 5cm tall. Varieties like Boltardy resist bolting from early sowings.
Turnips and radish are fast growers perfect for April. Radish germinates in 3-5 days and produces roots within 4-6 weeks. Sow radish in short rows every two weeks for a continuous supply. Turnips take 6-10 weeks and prefer cooler weather, making April ideal.
Parsnips can still be sown in early April if you missed the March window. Use fresh seed each year. Parsnip seed loses viability after 12 months. Germination takes 14-28 days, so mark your rows with radish seed sown alongside.
Leafy greens and salads
Sow lettuce, spinach, rocket, and chard directly into beds throughout April. These crops grow quickly in the warming soil. A row of lettuce sown in early April produces cutting leaves by mid-May.
Spring onions sow directly at 1cm deep in rows 10cm apart. They germinate in 10-14 days and are ready to pull within 8-10 weeks. Sow every three weeks from now until August for a continuous supply through summer.
Perpetual spinach is a better bet than true spinach for April sowings. It resists bolting in warm weather and produces cut-and-come-again leaves from June through to the following spring. Sow 2cm deep, 15cm apart.
Gardener’s tip: Sow salad crops in short rows of 1m rather than full-length rows. This gives you enough for a week’s eating. Sow another short row the following fortnight. By June, you have a rolling supply of fresh leaves without a wasteful glut.
Peas and beans
If you did not sow peas and broad beans in March, April is your last good window. Sow peas 5cm deep, 5cm apart in flat-bottomed trenches. Push in pea sticks or netting immediately. Broad beans go 5cm deep, 20cm apart in double rows.
Runner beans and French beans must stay indoors for now. Sow them in individual 9cm pots at 12-15C from mid-April. They germinate in 7-10 days and will be ready to plant out in late May after the last frost. For more on growing beans and other vegetables from scratch, see our guide to starting a vegetable garden.
Warning: Do not sow runner beans, French beans, or courgettes outdoors in April. They cannot tolerate any frost. A single cold night below -1C kills the seedlings. Wait until late May for outdoor sowings of all tender crops.
Direct sowing carrots into prepared drills. Use a string line for straight rows and cover with fleece against carrot fly.
Indoor sowings for April
Several important crops need an indoor start in April to be ready for planting out after the last frost in late May.
Courgettes and squash
Sow courgettes, butternut squash, and pumpkins indoors from early April. Use 9cm pots and sow seeds on their edge, 2cm deep. They germinate fast at 18-20C, often within 5-7 days. Do not sow earlier than April. These plants grow rapidly and become pot-bound and stressed if stuck indoors for more than 4 weeks.
A single courgette plant produces 15-20 fruits over summer. Two plants is enough for most families. Squash and pumpkins need more space: allow 1.5m between plants when they go outdoors.
Sweetcorn
Sow sweetcorn in deep modules or root trainers in mid-April. One seed per cell, 4cm deep. Sweetcorn resents root disturbance, so deep containers that allow the roots to grow downward produce stronger transplants. Sow enough for a block of at least 12 plants. Sweetcorn is wind-pollinated and needs to be planted in a block pattern, not a single row.
Cucumbers
Start cucumbers indoors in late April at 21-25C. Sow two seeds per pot and remove the weaker seedling. Cucumbers need consistent warmth and cannot tolerate temperatures below 12C. Greenhouse varieties are more reliable in UK conditions than outdoor types, though outdoor ridge cucumbers perform well in southern England.
Tender flowers
Start cosmos, zinnias, dahlias (from seed), and nicotiana indoors on a warm windowsill. These half-hardy annuals need 4-6 weeks of indoor growing before planting out after the last frost. Cosmos is particularly rewarding. Pinch out the main stem at 30cm for bushier plants with more flowers.
April seedlings in a greenhouse. Start courgettes, squash, and sweetcorn indoors this month.
Potatoes
April is the main month for potato planting across most of the UK.
Second early potatoes
Plant second early potatoes in early April. Dig trenches 15cm deep, space tubers 35cm apart in rows 65cm apart. Popular second early varieties include Charlotte, Kestrel, and Maris Peer. They mature in 13-16 weeks, giving you crops from July. For detailed guidance on timing across all UK regions, see our guide on when to plant potatoes.
Maincrop potatoes
Maincrops go in from mid to late April. Space 40cm apart in rows 75cm apart. These need 18-20 weeks and produce the heaviest yields: 2-2.5kg per plant. Varieties like Maris Piper, King Edward, and Desiree are kitchen staples. Sarpo Mira is the best choice for blight-prone areas.
Earthing up
First early potatoes planted in March will have shoots emerging by now. Earth up when shoots reach 15-20cm tall. Draw soil around the base, leaving just the top few centimetres of foliage showing. This prevents tubers from turning green in sunlight and increases your yield. Earth up again when the foliage grows through. For the full growing process, see our potato growing guide.
Planting second early potatoes in mid-April. Set tubers 15cm deep with sprouts pointing upward.
Why we recommend Charlotte as your first second early potato: After 30 years of trialling potato varieties across different UK soils, Charlotte consistently delivers the best combination of reliability and flavour for home growers. It produces 1.5-2kg per plant in 13-15 weeks, holds its shape when boiled, and resists blight better than most second earlies. On heavy clay soils it still delivers where waxy salad types like Jersey Royal struggle.
Flowers to sow and plant in April
April is the peak month for flower planting. The combination of warming soil and longer days means both seeds and plants establish quickly.
Hardy annuals for direct sowing
These flowers tolerate light frost and grow well from April outdoor sowings:
- Calendula - scatter seed on prepared soil and rake in. Self-seeds freely. One of the best bee-friendly plants in any garden.
- Cornflowers - sow directly where they will flower. Thin to 20cm apart. Blue, pink, and white varieties available.
- Poppies - California and Shirley poppies from direct April sowings. Mix seed with sand for even distribution.
- Nigella (love-in-a-mist) - scatter sow and thin to 15cm apart. Does not transplant well.
- Sweet peas - if not started in March, sow directly now. Pinch out the growing tip at 10cm for bushy plants. They flower from June to September and are a staple of any cottage garden.
Summer-flowering bulbs
Plant out gladioli corms from early April at 10cm deep, 15cm apart. Stagger planting every two weeks until May for a succession of flowers from July to September.
Dahlia tubers go in from mid-April in the south, late April in the north. Plant 10-15cm deep with the growing points facing upward. Dahlias need rich soil and a sunny, sheltered position. In exposed gardens, wait until May and protect young shoots from slugs.
Lily bulbs planted in April flower from July. Plant three times as deep as the bulb is tall, in groups of three or five for the best visual impact.
Perennials and shrubs
April is an excellent month for planting container-grown perennials and shrubs. The soil is warm enough for root growth and spring rains reduce the need for watering. Plant herbaceous perennials, ornamental grasses, and evergreen shrubs now. Water well at planting and mulch around the base with garden compost.
Herbs to sow and plant in April
Most culinary herbs can start outdoors from April.
Sow outdoors
- Parsley - sow directly, 1cm deep. Germination takes 3-4 weeks. Soak seed overnight to speed things up.
- Coriander - sow in situ (it bolts if transplanted). Keep cool and moist.
- Dill - direct sow where it will grow. Hates transplanting.
- Chives - sow or divide existing clumps.
Sow indoors
- Basil - sow on the surface at 18-20C. Needs light and warmth to germinate. Do not bury the seed.
Plant out
Container-grown rosemary, thyme, sage, and oregano go into the garden in April. These Mediterranean herbs need well-drained soil and full sun. Add grit to heavy clay soils before planting.
Fruit
Strawberries
Container-grown strawberry plants go in now if you did not plant bare-root stock in March. Space 35cm apart. Varieties like Elsanta and Florence are reliable croppers. See our strawberry growing guide for full details.
Fruit trees
Container-grown fruit trees can be planted throughout April. Unlike bare-root trees (which must go in by March), container-grown stock has an established root system and transplants without the same urgency. Water deeply after planting and stake firmly.
Soft fruit
Plant container-grown gooseberry, blackcurrant, and redcurrant bushes. Prune gooseberries to an open goblet shape, removing crossing branches to improve air flow and reduce the risk of mildew.
April planting calendar
| Week | Indoors | Outdoors | Plant out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 (1-7 April) | Courgettes, runner beans, French beans | Peas, broad beans, parsnips, carrots | Second early potatoes |
| Week 2 (8-14 April) | Squash, pumpkins, cosmos | Beetroot, radish, turnips, lettuce | Gladioli, onion sets |
| Week 3 (15-21 April) | Sweetcorn, cucumbers, zinnias | Spring onions, spinach, chard | Maincrop potatoes, dahlia tubers |
| Week 4 (22-30 April) | Basil, late courgette sowings | Calendula, cornflowers, sweet peas | Herbs, soft fruit bushes |
Regional differences
Southern England
The warmest April conditions in the UK. Soil temperatures reach 10-12C by mid-month. All outdoor sowings listed above can start from early April. Maincrop potatoes go in from mid-April. Late frost remains possible until mid-May, so keep fleece ready for overnight protection.
Midlands and central England
Expect April soil temperatures of 8-10C. Start outdoor sowings from the second week of April. Maincrop potatoes from late April. Clay soils may still be cold and heavy after wet winters. Use raised beds, which warm faster.
Northern England
April is the real start of the outdoor growing season here. Focus outdoor sowings from mid-April onwards. First early potatoes can still go in if not planted in March. Protect all early sowings with fleece or cloches.
Scotland
Outdoor sowing begins in late April for most crops. Focus indoor sowings on a greenhouse or windowsill. First early potatoes go in from mid-April in sheltered lowland gardens. Exposed and highland gardens should wait until May for most outdoor work.
Common mistakes with April sowing
Sowing tender crops outdoors too early
The biggest April mistake is putting frost-tender plants outside because the weather feels warm. April days can reach 18C, but April nights can drop to -3C. Runner beans, French beans, courgettes, tomatoes, and peppers all die in frost. Keep them indoors until late May.
Letting seed trays dry out
April sun is stronger than March sun. Seed trays on windowsills dry out fast on sunny days. Check moisture levels twice daily. Dried-out compost is the most common reason for failed germination in spring. Bottom-watering (standing trays in water for 20 minutes) is more reliable than surface watering for small seeds.
Forgetting slug protection
Slugs are active from April onwards and newly emerged seedlings are their favourite food. Protect outdoor sowings with copper tape, beer traps, or nematode treatments. See our guide on slug control for effective methods.
Overcrowding containers
Indoor-raised seedlings need potting on when roots fill their current container. A courgette in a 9cm pot for more than 4 weeks becomes root-bound and never fully recovers. Check roots weekly by gently tipping the pot and looking at the root ball.
Ignoring hardening off
Any plant started indoors must be hardened off before going outside permanently. Start the process in late April for plants going out in late May. Move them outdoors for a few hours daily, gradually increasing exposure over 10-14 days. Our guide on how to sow seeds indoors covers the full process.
Now you’ve mastered April planting, read our guide on what to plant in May for the next step when tender crops finally go outdoors.
Frequently asked questions
What vegetables can I plant in April UK?
Over 20 vegetables can start in April. Direct sow carrots, beetroot, turnips, radish, spinach, and chard outdoors once soil reaches 10C. Continue indoor sowings of courgettes, squash, and sweetcorn. Plant second early and maincrop potatoes. Sow peas and broad beans outdoors if not started in March.
Is April too early to plant tomatoes outside?
Yes, April is too early for outdoor tomatoes. Night temperatures still drop below 5C in most UK regions, and a single frost kills tomato plants. Keep seedlings indoors or in a heated greenhouse. Plant tomatoes outside from late May after hardening off for 10-14 days. For full timing guidance, see our guide on when to plant tomatoes.
Can I sow grass seed in April?
Yes, April is ideal for sowing grass seed. Soil temperatures sit above 8C and spring rainfall provides natural moisture. Prepare the area by raking to a fine tilth, scatter seed evenly at the rate recommended on the packet, and keep off the area for 6-8 weeks until established.
What flowers should I plant in April?
Sow hardy annuals like calendula, cornflowers, and poppies directly outdoors in prepared beds. Start half-hardy annuals like cosmos and zinnias indoors at 15-21C. Plant summer-flowering bulbs including gladioli and dahlias. Sweet peas go outdoors now if not started in March.
When should I plant potatoes in April?
Plant second early potatoes in early April. Maincrops go in from mid to late April. In northern England and Scotland, first earlies can still be planted in early April if not done in March. Soil temperature should be at least 7C at a depth of 10cm.
Can I plant runner beans in April?
Sow runner beans indoors in April but do not plant them outdoors until late May. They are frost-tender and a single cold night will kill them. Start seeds in individual 9cm pots at 12-15C. Plant outdoors after the last frost, which typically falls between 15-25 May in southern England and late May to early June further north.
Lawrie has been gardening in the West Midlands for over 30 years. He grows his own veg using no-dig methods, keeps a wildlife-friendly garden, and writes practical advice based on real UK growing conditions.
