The Vegetable Plot – April

The old sow and sow

April is a cornucopia of what you can sow, grow and crop, whatever size of vegetable plot you have. In the first half of the month, the second early potatoes you have been chitting can go into the prepared ground. Maincrop can go in in the second half.

You can sow brassicas for transplanting in June or July, plant onion sets, garlic and shallots and plant asparagus crowns. Sow runner beans, endive, beetroot, Swiss chard, kohlrabi, leeks, spinach. The list goes on. 

Sow winter greens, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and dig trenches in preparation for marrow, tomatoes and cucumbers. Sow runner beans, endive, beetroot, Swiss chard, kohlrabi, leeks, spinach. 

The larger plot will see you growing and harvesting globe artichokes, spinach, turnips, cabbages and cauliflowers, onion sets and peas. If you don’t fancy being outdoors, come inside and sow seeds of courgettes, squash, aubergines, celery, celeriac, pumpkins, marrows, sweet peppers, tomatoes and salads.

If you’re in a mild area, sow sweet corn and dwarf French beans under fleece or cloches at the end of the month or, if the weather is cool, wait until May.

You could try dwarf French beans grown in pots in the greenhouse, along with marrow, ridge cucumbers and melons.

If your plot is small or you’re confined to a greenhouse or growing frame, then lettuces, radishes, spring onions, tomatoes, bell peppers and carrots will be on your list.