April is one of the most exciting months for gardeners. With longer days, warmer soil, and plenty of spring showers, it’s the perfect time to get planting.
The work you do now will reward you with vibrant flower displays, delicious homegrown veggies, and aromatic herbs all summer long.
Here’s your guide to what to plant in April for a garden that bursts into life when the sun shines brightest!
Flowers to Plant in April
Adding flowers now gives them time to establish strong roots before the peak heat of summer, ensuring bigger, better blooms.
✅ Hardy Annuals (Sow Direct Outdoors)
- Cornflowers – Brilliant blue and perfect for wildlife gardens.
- Poppies – Easy to grow with a wild, natural charm.
- Calendula (Pot Marigold) – Bright orange or yellow blooms that attract pollinators.
- Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist) – Delicate blue or white flowers surrounded by feathery foliage.
- Sunflowers – Sow dwarf varieties for pots or giant ones for impressive borders!
🌿 Tip: Scatter hardy annual seeds straight onto prepared soil—no fuss, just rake, sow, and water.
✅ Tender Annuals (Start Indoors or in a Greenhouse)
- Cosmos – Long-flowering, light and airy plants for borders and cutting gardens.
- Zinnias – Bright, bold colours that love sunny spots.
- Petunias and Lobelia – Great for pots, hanging baskets, and window boxes.
🌿 Tip: Sow in trays and harden off carefully before planting out after the last frost (usually late May in the UK).
✅ Summer Bulbs and Tubers (Plant Now!)
- Dahlias – Gorgeous, show-stopping blooms from July onwards.
- Gladioli – Tall, striking flowers perfect for the back of a border.
- Lilies – Beautifully scented, ideal for containers or beds.
🌿 Tip: Plant bulbs in groups of five or more for a natural, impressive display.
Vegetables to Plant in April
April is prime time for sowing and planting veggies that will feed you throughout the summer.
✅ Direct Sow Outdoors
- Carrots – Choose early varieties like ‘Early Nantes’.
- Beetroot – Fast and easy to grow, and you can eat the leaves too!
- Radish – One of the quickest crops—ready in just 4-6 weeks.
- Lettuce & Salad Leaves – Sow a mix for a continuous harvest.
- Spinach – Nutritious and easy to grow in cooler spring weather.
- Peas – Try dwarf varieties if space is limited.
- Broad Beans – Plant directly for a strong, early crop.
🌿 Tip: Succession sow (every 2–3 weeks) to ensure continuous harvests through the summer.
✅ Plant Out Seed Potatoes
- First Early and Second Early Potatoes – Get them in the ground now for June and July harvests.
- Earth up the shoots as they grow to protect from frost and encourage bigger crops.
🌿 Tip: If you’re short on space, grow potatoes in large containers or potato grow bags!
✅ Start Indoors (for Planting Out Later)
- Tomatoes – Sow seeds indoors or buy young plants now.
- Courgettes – Fast growers, start them on a sunny windowsill.
- Cucumbers – Start indoors if you want an early harvest.
- Runner Beans – Sow indoors for early planting out after frost risk passes.
🌿 Tip: Turn plants every few days on windowsills to keep them growing straight towards the light.
Herbs to Plant in April
Fresh herbs add flavour to your cooking and fragrance to your garden—plus they’re easy to grow in beds, borders, or pots.
✅ Sow Indoors or Outdoors
- Basil – Sow indoors and plant out after frost; perfect for tomatoes and summer salads.
- Parsley – Slow to germinate but worth it for rich green flavour.
- Chives – Hardy and delicious; their flowers also attract pollinators.
- Coriander – Best sown little and often for fresh leaves.
- Dill – Lovely feathery foliage and a magnet for beneficial insects.
🌿 Tip: Keep herbs near the kitchen for easy picking—you’re more likely to use them when they’re close to hand!
Quick Reference: What to Plant in April
| Category | What to Plant |
|---|---|
| Flowers | Cornflowers, poppies, cosmos, dahlias, gladioli, petunias |
| Vegetables | Carrots, radish, lettuce, peas, broad beans, seed potatoes |
| Tender Crops | Tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, runner beans (start indoors) |
| Herbs | Basil, parsley, chives, coriander, dill |
Tips for Planting Success This April
✅ Water newly sown seeds gently to avoid washing them away.
✅ Protect young plants from late frosts using fleece or cloches.
✅ Mulch flower beds to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
✅ Feed young plants lightly to encourage strong early growth.
✅ Harden off indoor-grown plants before planting out fully.
Final Thought: April is the Month of Opportunity!
Planting now sets the stage for a garden full of colour, scent, flavour, and life through the summer. Whether you want to fill your borders with blooms, harvest your own salad, or snip fresh herbs for your BBQs, April is the time to get started!
Need a Hand Getting Your Garden Summer-Ready?
At Project Garden, we offer expert planting services, lawn care, border design, vegetable patch setup, and full garden makeovers. Let’s create a summer garden you’ll love!
📞 Call 07795 800 772
📧 Email info@projectgarden.co.uk
Happy planting—and here’s to a glorious summer garden!