What to Plant in April in the UK: Your Complete Spring Planting Guide

April is arguably the most exciting month in the British growing calendar. The days are lengthening, soil temperatures are finally creeping upward, and the hunger to get things planted becomes almost irresistible. Whether you have a sprawling allotment, a modest back garden, a few raised beds, or nothing more than a sunny windowsill and a couple of pots, April offers a generous window of opportunity.

This guide covers everything worth sowing or planting in April — vegetables, herbs, and fruit — along with timing tips and advice for different growing spaces.

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Understanding April in the UK

April weather is famously unpredictable. You might enjoy warm sunshine one week and a sharp frost the next. The golden rule is to watch your local forecast and not rush things out before the soil and air are ready. As a guide:

Southern England: Frost risk largely recedes by mid-April, though late frosts remain possible until early May.

Midlands and Wales: Expect frost risk through most of April, particularly at night.

Northern England and Scotland: Treat April conservatively — protect tender seedlings and be prepared to delay outdoor sowings by a few weeks.

A cold frame, cloche, or fleece is your best friend this month. Even a few degrees of overnight protection can make the difference between thriving seedlings and a setback.

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Vegetables to Sow and Plant in April

Direct Sow Outdoors (in mild areas or under cover)

Beetroot is one of April's star performers. Sow seeds directly into prepared soil in shallow drills about 2.5cm deep, thinning seedlings to around 10cm apart. Beetroot is relatively frost-hardy once germinated.

Carrots can be direct-sown now, ideally into deep, stone-free soil or a tall container to discourage forking. Avoid disturbing them once sown — carrots hate root disturbance. Cover with fleece to protect against carrot fly.

Peas thrive when sown in April. Sow in a flat-bottomed trench about 5cm deep, placing seeds 7–10cm apart. They'll need support as they grow — bamboo canes with twiggy sticks, netting, or a simple pea frame all work well.

Spinach and chard germinate readily in April and are reasonably frost-tolerant. Sow in rows and thin to around 15cm. Both will be cropping within 6–8 weeks.

Radishes are the ultimate quick win — sow directly now and you'll be pulling them up within four to six weeks. Scatter them between slower-growing crops to make use of every square centimetre of space.

Spring onions can be sown in April for a summer harvest. Broadcast-sow in a shallow drill and simply harvest by pulling when they reach pencil thickness.

Lettuce and salad leaves can be sown both indoors and outdoors in April. Sow little and often — every two to three weeks — for a continuous cut-and-come-again supply throughout summer.

Broad beans, if not already planted in autumn or early spring, can still be sown in April. Sow seeds 5cm deep and 20cm apart in double rows.

Start Indoors or Under Cover

Courgettes and squash need a head start indoors. Sow on edge (to avoid rotting) in individual pots filled with good-quality compost, keep at around 18–20°C, and pot on as needed. They'll be ready to plant outside after the last frost — typically late May or early June in most of the UK.

Runner beans and French beans can be started indoors in April in cardboard tubes or root trainers. Plant two seeds per tube, remove the weaker seedling, and harden off before transplanting from late May onwards.

Tomatoes — if you haven't already sown, April is your last comfortable opportunity to start them indoors. Sow in small pots on a warm, bright windowsill or in a heated propagator. They'll need six to eight weeks of indoor growing before being ready to move outside or into a greenhouse. (See our dedicated tomato growing guide for everything you need to know.)

Sweet peppers and aubergines need warmth and a long growing season. Start indoors now in a propagator if you want a decent harvest.

Plant Out (Hardened Transplants)

Onion sets and shallot sets can go straight into the ground in April. Simply push them into prepared soil so just the tip is visible, spacing about 10cm apart.

Seed potatoes are traditionally planted from late March through April. Chit them first by leaving them in a cool, light place until they develop short, stubby shoots. Plant 'first earlies' 10–12cm deep and 30cm apart; 'second earlies' and 'maincrops' need a bit more room.

Leeks can be started from seed in a seedbed or modules in April for transplanting in summer.

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Herbs to Sow in April

April is a wonderful time to get your herb garden going — most are easy to grow and highly rewarding.

Basil should be started indoors in April. It hates cold and needs warmth to germinate. Sow thinly in small pots on a sunny windowsill, cover with cling film until germination, and keep well away from draughts. Don't rush basil outside — it won't thank you for it.

Parsley is notoriously slow to germinate but perfectly happy sown in April, either indoors or in a sheltered spot outside. Soak seeds overnight before sowing to speed things up.

Chives can be sown directly outside in April or divided from existing clumps. They grow happily in pots and are one of the most low-maintenance herbs you can grow.

Coriander goes in directly outside from April — it bolts quickly in heat, so sow in a partially shaded spot and make repeat sowings every few weeks.

Mint, thyme, oregano, and rosemary are best propagated from cuttings or bought as small plants in April, rather than grown from seed. Plant in well-drained soil or pots, and they'll reward you for years.

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Fruit to Plant in April

Strawberries planted from runners or pot-grown plants in April will crop this summer. Choose a sunny, well-drained spot, plant so the crown is at soil level, and water in well. Tuck straw beneath the developing fruit later in the season to keep them clean and deter slugs.

Raspberry canes can still be planted in April if the ground isn't waterlogged. Cut back to around 25cm after planting to encourage strong new growth.

Rhubarb crowns benefit from being planted or divided and replanted in April. Choose a sunny position, plant with the crown just at the soil surface, and resist harvesting in the first year to let the plant establish.

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Tips for Different Growing Spaces

Garden Beds and Allotments

Prepare your soil now by working in compost or well-rotted manure. Raised beds warm up faster than open ground and give you a useful head start. Consider crop rotation — this is the month to plan which families of vegetables go where, reducing pest and disease pressure.

Balconies and Patios

Containers can be excellent growing spaces if you choose wisely. Focus on cut-and-come-again salads, dwarf pea varieties ('Patio Snapper' or 'Tom Thumb'), compact courgette cultivars, cherry tomatoes ('Tumbling Tom' for hanging baskets), and herbs. Use a peat-free multipurpose compost and water daily in warm spells — pots dry out faster than you'd expect.

Windowsills and Small Indoor Spaces

Even a single sunny windowsill can produce a surprising amount. Start with microgreens, sprouting seeds, chives, and basil. A south-facing window in April will give you enough light to get most herbs going without a grow light.

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Don't Forget

Label everything — it's surprisingly easy to forget what you planted where.

Harden off indoor-raised seedlings before planting outside: move them outdoors for a few hours each day over one to two weeks.

Water consistently — young seedlings need reliable moisture but not waterlogging.

Keep an eye out for slugs and snails, which are very active now. Copper tape, grit, or regular evening patrols all help.

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Share Your Surplus on Locavori

One of the great joys of a productive April is that you often end up with more seedlings than you can use. Got a tray of tomato seedlings you've grown from seed? A pot of chive divisions? More onion sets than your beds can handle?

That's exactly what Locavori is here for. Connect with neighbours growing the same things, share your surplus seedlings, and discover what others have to offer. A generous April garden is even more rewarding when it feeds the whole street.

Join Locavori and start sharing →