What To Plant In April

April is a fantastic month for sowing seeds; a lot of varieties can be sown directly outside and some started under cloches or cold frames until the last frost.

Here are our top recommendations for planting in the month of April…

April is one of the most rewarding months for planting, as the soil begins to warm and the risk of harsh frosts starts to ease. It’s the perfect time to fill your garden with colour, structure, and the promise of homegrown produce in the months ahead.

Brighten Your Garden with Bedding Plants

If you’re looking to add instant impact, April is ideal for planting spring and early summer bedding. Pansies, violas, primroses, and polyanthus are all great choices, bringing cheerful colour to borders, containers, and hanging baskets.

You can also begin introducing hardy annuals such as calendula, cornflowers, and nigella directly into the soil. These will establish quickly and provide a natural, relaxed look as they bloom.

Start Growing Your Own Vegetables

April is a key month in the vegetable garden, with plenty of crops ready to be sown outdoors. Carrots, beetroot, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and peas can all be planted directly into prepared soil.

If you’re short on space, many of these will grow just as well in raised beds or containers. For a continuous harvest, try sowing little and often throughout the month rather than all at once.

Plant Potatoes and Onions

Early and second early potatoes can be planted out in April, giving you a head start on delicious homegrown crops. Plant them in well-dug soil and earth them up as they grow to protect developing tubers.

Onion sets, shallots, and garlic can also be planted now, making them an easy and reliable addition to your vegetable patch.

Herbs for Fresh Flavour

April is a great time to plant herbs, whether in the ground, containers, or a dedicated herb garden. Parsley, chives, coriander, and dill can all be sown now, while mint and thyme can be planted as young plants.

Having fresh herbs on hand not only adds flavour to your cooking but also brings scent and texture to your garden.

Prepare for Summer Colour

While it may still feel early, April is the perfect time to start planning for summer displays. Sow tender annuals such as cosmos and zinnias indoors or in a greenhouse to get them off to a strong start before planting out later in the season.

You can also begin planting up hanging baskets and containers with a mix of trailing and upright plants, giving them time to establish for a fuller display by early summer.

A Garden Full of Promise

Planting in April is all about looking ahead. With so much choice available—from flowers to vegetables and herbs—it’s a wonderful time to get creative and shape how your garden will look and feel in the months to come.

A little planting now goes a long way, setting the stage for a garden that’s full of colour, flavour, and life throughout the season.