What to sow in April
April is the month that separates the organised from the optimistic. If you started seeds in March, you're potting on and hardening off. If you didn't, don't panic — there's still time for most things. The last frost is close, but it's not gone yet. Keep the fleece handy.
Your timing depends on where you are
The last frost date in Cornwall can be three weeks earlier than the Highlands. That changes when you can safely plant out tender crops — and when you need to start seeds indoors.
| Location | Last frost | Days behind Cornwall |
|---|---|---|
| Cornwallmildest — coastal Gulf Stream | 7 April | — |
| Londonurban heat island | 19 April | +12 |
| Bristolsouth-west, sheltered | 18 April | +11 |
| Birminghammidlands | 24 April | +17 |
| Manchesternorth-west | 30 April | +23 |
| LeedsYorkshire | 2 May | +25 |
| Edinburghcentral Scotland | 13 May | +36 |
| InvernessHighlands — latest frost | 22 May | +45 |
These are estimates based on latitude and coastal proximity. Enter your postcode on our frost map for a date specific to your plot.
Sow indoors this month
These crops want warmth to germinate. A windowsill, heated propagator, or greenhouse will do.
Each seed cluster produces several seedlings — thin to the strongest. Don't chuck the leaves, they're delicious wilted with butter.
Needs: Sun or light shade. Any reasonable soil. One of the easiest root veg.
- Boltardy — The reliable one — bolt-resistant
- Chioggia — Candy-stripe rings inside, stunning
Companions: Lettuce, Onion sets
See recommended kit →Beautiful and productive. Pick outer leaves and it keeps going for months. Rainbow chard looks stunning.
Needs: Sun or partial shade. Moist soil. Hardly any pest problems.
- Bright Lights — Rainbow stems — stunning in the plot
- Fordhook Giant — White-stemmed classic, heavy yielder
Plant in a block, not a row — they're wind-pollinated and need neighbours. Each plant gives you 1-2 cobs, so don't be stingy with numbers.
Needs: Full sun. Sheltered spot. Rich soil.
- Swift — Early-maturing — good for shorter UK summers
- Golden Bantam — Heritage, deep yellow, sweet
Companions: Squash, French beans, Pumpkins
See recommended kit →You only need 2-3 plants. Seriously. Pick them small (15cm) or they turn into marrows overnight.
Needs: Full sun. Rich soil. Lots of water.
- Black Beauty — Classic dark green, heavy cropper
- Defender — Compact, great for smaller plots
Companions: Sweetcorn, French beans
See recommended kit →Dwarf varieties need no support. Pick every few days — once they start producing, they don't stop (unless you let pods go to seed).
Needs: Sun. Sheltered spot. Decent soil.
- Tendergreen — Stringless bush variety, very reliable
- Cobra — Climbing, prolific, keeps going for months
Companions: Sweetcorn, Squash, Carrots
See recommended kit →Big hungry plants — give them space and feed them well. Leave to cure in the sun before storing and they'll keep for months.
Needs: Full sun. Rich soil. Space — they spread like they own the place.
- Crown Prince — Blue-grey, incredible nutty flavour
- Uchiki Kuri — Orange onion squash, sweet and easy
Companions: Sweetcorn, French beans
See recommended kit →Limit each plant to 2-3 fruits for bigger pumpkins. Sit them on a tile or slate to stop rot from underneath.
Needs: Full sun. Very rich soil. Lots of water. Lots of space.
- Jack O'Lantern — The classic carving pumpkin
- Atlantic Giant — If you fancy growing a monster
Companions: Sweetcorn, French beans
See recommended kit →Bolts at the slightest excuse. Sow every 3-4 weeks, pick frequently, and choose slow-bolt varieties. It's a race you can win if you stay on top of it.
Needs: Partial shade in summer. Moist soil. Grows well in pots on a windowsill.
- Calypso — Slow to bolt — the whole point
- Leisure — Leafy and long-lasting
Companions: Tomatoes, Spinach
Dead easy and fast. Gets spicier in hot weather — which is either a feature or a bug depending on your taste. Pick leaves small for salads.
Needs: Partial shade in summer to slow bolting. Any reasonable soil.
- Wild Rocket — Perennial, peppery, stronger flavour
- Salad Rocket — Fast, mild, classic for leaves
Companions: Lettuce, Spinach
Sow early spring or after midsummer — it'll bolt faster than you can blink in the heat. Worth it though. Fast-growing and very rewarding.
Needs: Partial shade. Moist soil. Slug protection is non-negotiable.
- Joi Choi — Vigorous and bolt-resistant
- Canton Dwarf — Compact — good for tight spaces
Companions: Onion sets, Garlic
Sow after midsummer for best bulbs — earlier sowings often bolt. Don't transplant bare-root, it hates root disturbance. Use modules.
Needs: Full sun. Well-drained, fertile soil. Regular water.
- Rondo — Bolt-resistant — important for fennel
- Zefa Fino — Quick to bulk up, reliable
Outdoor varieties are tougher and easier than greenhouse ones. Keep picking and they keep producing — ignore them and they swell to marrow size.
Needs: Sun. Shelter. Rich moist soil. A frame or trellis saves space.
- Marketmore — Outdoor variety, reliable and prolific
- Crystal Lemon — Round yellow cukes — fun and different
Companions: Dill, Lettuce, Peas
See recommended kit →Build a strong frame — they get seriously heavy. Pick every 2-3 days or they go stringy and the plant stops producing.
Needs: Sun. Deep rich soil. A tall, solid support frame.
- Scarlet Emperor — The classic — red flowers, heavy crops
- Enorma — Exhibition-length pods
Companions: Sweetcorn, Squash
See recommended kit →Sow directly outside
Hardy enough for the soil temperature right now. Sow where they are going to grow.
Sow a short row every 2 weeks and you'll never buy a supermarket bag again. Pick outer leaves to keep it going.
Needs: Partial shade in summer stops it bolting. Regular water.
- Little Gem — Crunchy, compact, perfect
- Lollo Rosso — Frilly red leaves, looks great in a bed
Companions: Radishes, Carrots, Spring onions
See recommended kit →The quickest crop you can grow — seed to plate in 4 weeks. Sow between slower crops to use the space while you wait.
Needs: Sun or partial shade. Light soil. Not fussy.
- French Breakfast — Elongated classic, mild flavour
- Cherry Belle — Round, red, ready in 4 weeks
Companions: Lettuce, Peas, Carrots
See recommended kit →Sow thinly to avoid thinning — the smell of crushed leaves is a dinner bell for carrot fly. Cover with fleece to be safe.
Needs: Sun. Light, stone-free soil. No fresh manure or you'll get forked roots.
- Nantes — Sweet, blunt-tipped, easy to grow
- Resistafly — Bred to resist carrot fly — the clue's in the name
Companions: Onion sets, Spring onions, Leeks, Lettuce
See recommended kit →Each seed cluster produces several seedlings — thin to the strongest. Don't chuck the leaves, they're delicious wilted with butter.
Needs: Sun or light shade. Any reasonable soil. One of the easiest root veg.
- Boltardy — The reliable one — bolt-resistant
- Chioggia — Candy-stripe rings inside, stunning
Companions: Lettuce, Onion sets
See recommended kit →Push sets into the soil with the tip just showing. Easiest way to grow onions — skip seed unless you enjoy waiting.
Needs: Full sun. Well-drained soil. Birds will pull them up, so net early on.
- Sturon — Reliable all-rounder, stores well
- Red Baron — Red variety, sweet in salads
Companions: Carrots, Beetroot, Lettuce
See recommended kit →Plant a few weeks after earlies. Earth up as haulms grow. Harvest when foliage dies back — leave in the ground for a week first to toughen the skins.
Needs: Sun. Rich, deep soil. Water consistently once tubers are forming.
- Desiree — Red-skinned, reliable, great all-rounder
- King Edward — The classic roaster and chipper
Chit (sprout) seed potatoes on a windowsill before planting. Earth up as they grow — if you see green skin, it's toxic.
Needs: Sun. Rich soil. Water well once flowers appear.
- Swift — First early — potatoes by June
- Charlotte — Waxy salad potato, amazing flavour
Gets sweeter after a frost. One of the hardiest crops — can harvest all winter.
Needs: Sun or partial shade. Firm, fertile soil. Net against pigeons.
- Cavolo Nero — Tuscan black kale — gorgeous in soups
- Dwarf Green Curled — Compact, perfect for small plots
Companions: Beetroot, Onion sets
See recommended kit →Very slow to germinate (2-4 weeks). Use fresh seed every year. Sow radishes alongside to mark the row.
Needs: Sun. Deep, stone-free soil. Patience.
- Tender and True — Long, flavourful, classic
- Gladiator — Vigorous and canker-resistant
Sow a pinch every few weeks and you'll have spring onions all season. Dead easy — one of the best crops for beginners.
Needs: Sun or partial shade. Any soil. Genuinely unfussy.
- White Lisbon — The standard — quick and reliable
- Ishikura — Long stems, no bulb, Japanese style
Beautiful and productive. Pick outer leaves and it keeps going for months. Rainbow chard looks stunning.
Needs: Sun or partial shade. Moist soil. Hardly any pest problems.
- Bright Lights — Rainbow stems — stunning in the plot
- Fordhook Giant — White-stemmed classic, heavy yielder
Harvest when golf-ball sized for the sweetest flavour. Leave them too long and they go woody. Quick-growing gap filler.
Needs: Sun or partial shade. Moist soil. Not demanding.
- Purple Top Milan — Fast-growing, sweet when small
- Snowball — White, mild, golf-ball sized
Cut the main head first and you'll get side shoots for weeks. Purple sprouting is the real star — worth the long wait.
Needs: Sun. Firm, fertile soil. Net against pigeons and cabbage white butterflies.
- Purple Sprouting Early — The star of late winter/early spring
- Green Magic — Quick calabrese for summer heads
Companions: Beetroot, Onion sets, Celery
See recommended kit →Slow to germinate (3-4 weeks) — don't give up on it. Soak seeds overnight in warm water to speed things up. Flat-leaf has the stronger flavour.
Needs: Sun or partial shade. Moist, rich soil. Grows brilliantly in pots.
- Giant of Italy — Flat-leaf, strong flavour, big leaves
- Moss Curled — Classic curly type for garnish and cooking
Companions: Tomatoes, Carrots, Broad beans
Plant in a block, not a row — they're wind-pollinated and need neighbours. Each plant gives you 1-2 cobs, so don't be stingy with numbers.
Needs: Full sun. Sheltered spot. Rich soil.
- Swift — Early-maturing — good for shorter UK summers
- Golden Bantam — Heritage, deep yellow, sweet
Companions: Squash, French beans, Pumpkins
See recommended kit →You only need 2-3 plants. Seriously. Pick them small (15cm) or they turn into marrows overnight.
Needs: Full sun. Rich soil. Lots of water.
- Black Beauty — Classic dark green, heavy cropper
- Defender — Compact, great for smaller plots
Companions: Sweetcorn, French beans
See recommended kit →Dwarf varieties need no support. Pick every few days — once they start producing, they don't stop (unless you let pods go to seed).
Needs: Sun. Sheltered spot. Decent soil.
- Tendergreen — Stringless bush variety, very reliable
- Cobra — Climbing, prolific, keeps going for months
Companions: Sweetcorn, Squash, Carrots
See recommended kit →Bolts at the slightest excuse. Sow every 3-4 weeks, pick frequently, and choose slow-bolt varieties. It's a race you can win if you stay on top of it.
Needs: Partial shade in summer. Moist soil. Grows well in pots on a windowsill.
- Calypso — Slow to bolt — the whole point
- Leisure — Leafy and long-lasting
Companions: Tomatoes, Spinach
Dead easy and fast. Gets spicier in hot weather — which is either a feature or a bug depending on your taste. Pick leaves small for salads.
Needs: Partial shade in summer to slow bolting. Any reasonable soil.
- Wild Rocket — Perennial, peppery, stronger flavour
- Salad Rocket — Fast, mild, classic for leaves
Companions: Lettuce, Spinach
Sow early spring or after midsummer — it'll bolt faster than you can blink in the heat. Worth it though. Fast-growing and very rewarding.
Needs: Partial shade. Moist soil. Slug protection is non-negotiable.
- Joi Choi — Vigorous and bolt-resistant
- Canton Dwarf — Compact — good for tight spaces
Companions: Onion sets, Garlic
Sow after midsummer for best bulbs — earlier sowings often bolt. Don't transplant bare-root, it hates root disturbance. Use modules.
Needs: Full sun. Well-drained, fertile soil. Regular water.
- Rondo — Bolt-resistant — important for fennel
- Zefa Fino — Quick to bulk up, reliable
Sow direct — dill absolutely hates being transplanted. Short rows every few weeks for continuous supply. Gets to 90cm, so give it a sheltered spot.
Needs: Full sun. Sheltered spot. Well-drained soil.
- Bouquet — Best for leaf production
- Mammoth — Tall, great for seeds and pickles
Companions: Lettuce, Cucumbers
Build a strong frame — they get seriously heavy. Pick every 2-3 days or they go stringy and the plant stops producing.
Needs: Sun. Deep rich soil. A tall, solid support frame.
- Scarlet Emperor — The classic — red flowers, heavy crops
- Enorma — Exhibition-length pods
Companions: Sweetcorn, Squash
See recommended kit →Pinch out flower buds to keep leaves coming. Harvest from the top to encourage bushy growth. Loves heat — don't even think about putting it outside before June.
Needs: Full sun. Warmth. Sheltered spot. Rich, moist soil. Perfect for pots.
- Genovese — Classic Italian, the one for pesto
- Greek — Tiny leaves, compact plant, great in pots
Companions: Tomatoes, Peppers
See recommended kit →Plant out this month
Seedlings started earlier that are ready to go into their final positions.
Pinch out the growing tips once the first pods form to discourage blackfly. They'll also ripen faster.
Needs: Sun or partial shade. Supports for taller varieties.
- Aquadulce Claudia — The classic. Sow autumn or spring
- The Sutton — Dwarf — brilliant for containers and small plots
Companions: Lettuce, Spinach, Carrots
See recommended kit →Sow every 3 weeks for a continuous harvest. Pick regularly to keep them producing — leave one pod on and the whole plant slows down.
Needs: Sun. Something to climb — sticks, netting, or a trellis.
- Kelvedon Wonder — Compact and reliable. A safe bet
- Hurst Greenshaft — Heavy cropper, great flavour
Companions: Carrots, Radishes, Turnips, Sweetcorn
See recommended kit →Sow a short row every 2 weeks and you'll never buy a supermarket bag again. Pick outer leaves to keep it going.
Needs: Partial shade in summer stops it bolting. Regular water.
- Little Gem — Crunchy, compact, perfect
- Lollo Rosso — Frilly red leaves, looks great in a bed
Companions: Radishes, Carrots, Spring onions
See recommended kit →Each seed cluster produces several seedlings — thin to the strongest. Don't chuck the leaves, they're delicious wilted with butter.
Needs: Sun or light shade. Any reasonable soil. One of the easiest root veg.
- Boltardy — The reliable one — bolt-resistant
- Chioggia — Candy-stripe rings inside, stunning
Companions: Lettuce, Onion sets
See recommended kit →Gets sweeter after a frost. One of the hardiest crops — can harvest all winter.
Needs: Sun or partial shade. Firm, fertile soil. Net against pigeons.
- Cavolo Nero — Tuscan black kale — gorgeous in soups
- Dwarf Green Curled — Compact, perfect for small plots
Companions: Beetroot, Onion sets
See recommended kit →Beautiful and productive. Pick outer leaves and it keeps going for months. Rainbow chard looks stunning.
Needs: Sun or partial shade. Moist soil. Hardly any pest problems.
- Bright Lights — Rainbow stems — stunning in the plot
- Fordhook Giant — White-stemmed classic, heavy yielder
Drop seedlings into deep holes and just water in — no need to fill the hole. They'll fatten up on their own.
Needs: Sun or partial shade. Rich, well-drained soil.
- Musselburgh — Tough-as-nails Scottish classic
- King Richard — Early variety, long white stems
Companions: Carrots, Celery
See recommended kit →Cut the main head first and you'll get side shoots for weeks. Purple sprouting is the real star — worth the long wait.
Needs: Sun. Firm, fertile soil. Net against pigeons and cabbage white butterflies.
- Purple Sprouting Early — The star of late winter/early spring
- Green Magic — Quick calabrese for summer heads
Companions: Beetroot, Onion sets, Celery
See recommended kit →Different varieties for each season — spring, summer, autumn, and winter types. Red cabbage is less bothered by caterpillars.
Needs: Sun. Firm, well-manured soil. Net against pigeons and butterflies or they'll destroy it.
- Hispi — Pointed spring cab — sweet and fast
- January King — Stunning purple-tinged winter cab
Companions: Onion sets, Celery, Beetroot
See recommended kit →Fold outer leaves over the curd to keep it white. Cauliflower leaves are delicious too — don't throw them away.
Needs: Sun. Rich, firm soil. Consistent watering. The fussiest brassica.
- All Year Round — Name says it all — sow spring or summer
- Snowball — Compact heads, good for smaller gardens
Companions: Celery, Onion sets
See recommended kit →Grow through summer, harvest from autumn through winter. Flavour improves after frost. Start early — they're slow.
Needs: Sun. Very firm, fertile soil. Stake tall plants against wind or they'll topple.
- Trafalgar — Mid-season, sweet buttons
- Groninger — Heritage, open-pollinated classic
Companions: Onion sets, Beetroot
See recommended kit →Plant in a block, not a row — they're wind-pollinated and need neighbours. Each plant gives you 1-2 cobs, so don't be stingy with numbers.
Needs: Full sun. Sheltered spot. Rich soil.
- Swift — Early-maturing — good for shorter UK summers
- Golden Bantam — Heritage, deep yellow, sweet
Companions: Squash, French beans, Pumpkins
See recommended kit →You only need 2-3 plants. Seriously. Pick them small (15cm) or they turn into marrows overnight.
Needs: Full sun. Rich soil. Lots of water.
- Black Beauty — Classic dark green, heavy cropper
- Defender — Compact, great for smaller plots
Companions: Sweetcorn, French beans
See recommended kit →Dwarf varieties need no support. Pick every few days — once they start producing, they don't stop (unless you let pods go to seed).
Needs: Sun. Sheltered spot. Decent soil.
- Tendergreen — Stringless bush variety, very reliable
- Cobra — Climbing, prolific, keeps going for months
Companions: Sweetcorn, Squash, Carrots
See recommended kit →Big hungry plants — give them space and feed them well. Leave to cure in the sun before storing and they'll keep for months.
Needs: Full sun. Rich soil. Space — they spread like they own the place.
- Crown Prince — Blue-grey, incredible nutty flavour
- Uchiki Kuri — Orange onion squash, sweet and easy
Companions: Sweetcorn, French beans
See recommended kit →Limit each plant to 2-3 fruits for bigger pumpkins. Sit them on a tile or slate to stop rot from underneath.
Needs: Full sun. Very rich soil. Lots of water. Lots of space.
- Jack O'Lantern — The classic carving pumpkin
- Atlantic Giant — If you fancy growing a monster
Companions: Sweetcorn, French beans
See recommended kit →Sow early spring or after midsummer — it'll bolt faster than you can blink in the heat. Worth it though. Fast-growing and very rewarding.
Needs: Partial shade. Moist soil. Slug protection is non-negotiable.
- Joi Choi — Vigorous and bolt-resistant
- Canton Dwarf — Compact — good for tight spaces
Companions: Onion sets, Garlic
Sow after midsummer for best bulbs — earlier sowings often bolt. Don't transplant bare-root, it hates root disturbance. Use modules.
Needs: Full sun. Well-drained, fertile soil. Regular water.
- Rondo — Bolt-resistant — important for fennel
- Zefa Fino — Quick to bulk up, reliable
Sow seeds on the surface — they need light to germinate. Start early in a propagator. Cutting celery is much easier than trench celery if you're new to it.
Needs: Sun or partial shade. Rich, moist soil. Thirsty plant — water and feed regularly.
- Victoria — Self-blanching, easy to grow
- Tall Utah — Crisp green stalks, old-school reliable
Companions: Leeks, Cabbage, Cauliflower
Pinch out side shoots on cordon types. Feed weekly with tomato feed once the first truss sets. Don't overwater — flavour comes from a bit of stress.
Needs: Full sun. Sheltered. Rich soil. Regular feeding once fruiting.
- Gardener's Delight — Cherry — the most reliable tomato in the UK
- Sungold — Orange cherry, absurdly sweet
Companions: Basil, Parsley, Carrots, Garlic
See recommended kit →Build a strong frame — they get seriously heavy. Pick every 2-3 days or they go stringy and the plant stops producing.
Needs: Sun. Deep rich soil. A tall, solid support frame.
- Scarlet Emperor — The classic — red flowers, heavy crops
- Enorma — Exhibition-length pods
Companions: Sweetcorn, Squash
See recommended kit →Pinch out flower buds to keep leaves coming. Harvest from the top to encourage bushy growth. Loves heat — don't even think about putting it outside before June.
Needs: Full sun. Warmth. Sheltered spot. Rich, moist soil. Perfect for pots.
- Genovese — Classic Italian, the one for pesto
- Greek — Tiny leaves, compact plant, great in pots
Companions: Tomatoes, Peppers
See recommended kit →Plant runners in spring or late summer and you will be picking fruit the following June. Net them or the birds will get there first. Replace plants every three years for the best yields.
Needs: Full sun. Rich, well-drained soil. Mulch with straw to keep fruit clean and stop rot. Water regularly when fruiting.
- Cambridge Favourite — Reliable mid-season. Sweet, classic flavour. Good for beginners
- Elsanta — Heavy cropper, firm fruit, the supermarket standard but better fresh
Companions: Lettuce, Spinach, Borage
These sowing windows close by the end of April. If you want them this year, now is the time.
- Beetrootplant out — 6 days left
- Broccoliplant out — 6 days left
- Corianderdirect sow — 6 days left
- Pak choiplant out — 6 days left
- Swiss chardplant out — 13 days left
- Sweetcorndirect sow — 13 days left
- Courgettesdirect sow — 13 days left
- French beansdirect sow — 13 days left
- Fenneldirect sow — 13 days left
- Dilldirect sow — 13 days left
- Runner beansdirect sow — 13 days left
What kit you will need
If you are starting seeds indoors this month, you will want a heated propagator, good seed compost, and decent modules. We have tested and reviewed the kit that actually matters.
Browse all recommended kit →Get personalised dates for your postcode
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