What to Grow in April: A Guide to Sowing, Transplanting, and Gardening Jobs

April is a fantastic time to get stuck into the garden, with longer days and milder temperatures making it ideal for sowing seeds, transplanting young plants, and getting your outdoor space ready for the months ahead. Whether you're growing vegetables or flowers, there's plenty to do. Plus, by incorporating Hortiwool Garden Pads, you can give your plants the best start while also embracing using wool in the garden for sustainability and plant health.

WHAT TO PLANT

April offers the ideal conditions for both sowing and planting. Here’s what you can focus on:

Vegetables:

April is the perfect time to sow a variety of vegetables, both indoors and outdoors. As soil temperatures rise and frost risks lessen, direct sowing becomes a viable option for many hardy crops.

• Direct sow: Carrots, beetroot, radishes, spinach, cabbages, peas, parsnips, and lettuce.
• Start indoors or in a greenhouse: Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and courgettes.
• Plant out: Onion sets, early potatoes, and asparagus crowns.

Transplanting:

• Harden off young brassica plants (such as cabbages, kale, and brussels sprouts) before transplanting them outside.
• Move onion sets and shallots to their final growing positions.
• Plant out early potatoes if not done in March.

Using Hortiwool in your vegetable garden can help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect young plants from pests. Simply place the pads around the base of seedlings or cut to size for use in containers. The wool fibres also help insulate soil, ensuring stable root temperatures during unpredictable spring weather.

Fruit to Plant in April

For those wanting to add fruits to their garden, April is a great time to get started.

• Bare-root fruit trees and bushes -early in the month, before they break dormancy.
• Strawberry plants - in beds or containers.
• Raspberry canes - summer and autumn-fruiting varieties.
• Rhubarb crowns

Adding a layer of Hortiwool Garden Pads around the base of fruit plants can help regulate soil temperature and reduce the need for frequent watering. This is particularly beneficial for strawberries and raspberry canes, which thrive in consistently moist, well-draining soil.

Flowers:

April is a great time to bring colour into your garden and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

• Hardy annuals: Cornflowers, Marigolds, and Nigella.
• Perennials: Delphiniums, Lupins, and Echinacea.
• Summer bulbs: Dahlias, Gladioli, and Lilies.
  

Transplanting:

• Hardy annuals started indoors can be planted out now.
• Perennials such as delphiniums and lupins can be moved into their final positions.

Using wool in the garden is a natural way to enhance soil health. When planting flowers, Hortiwool can act as a mulch to suppress weeds, protect delicate seedlings, and retain soil moisture—especially helpful during drier spells in spring.

ESSENTIAL APRIL GARDENING JOBS

With the unpredictable spring weather, it’s essential to stay on top of key gardening tasks

• Weeding: Stay on top of weeds before they take hold. Regular hoeing and mulching with Hortiwool Garden Pads or organic matter will help keep unwanted growth at bay.
• Mulching: Apply Hortiwool Garden Pads or compost around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Feeding Plants: Start feeding perennials, fruit bushes, and roses with an organic fertiliser to encourage strong growth.
• Lawn Care: Mow the lawn on dry days, reseed bare patches, and apply a spring feed to promote lush, healthy grass.
• Support Climbing Plants: Install stakes or trellises for peas, beans, and climbing flowers like sweet peas and clematis.
• Check for Pests: Watch out for slugs, aphids, and caterpillars as temperatures rise. Introducing natural predators such as ladybirds or using organic deterrents can help keep pests under control.
• Prepare Beds for Planting: Dig over soil, add compost or well-rotted manure, and remove debris from winter to create nutrient-rich beds for your crops.
• Prune and Deadhead: Trim back dead growth on perennials, remove faded flowers from spring bulbs, and cut back lavender and rosemary to keep them in shape.
• Greenhouse Ventilation: Open vents and doors on warm days to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
  
• Install a Water Butt: Collecting rainwater now will ensure a sustainable water supply for your plants during drier months.

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE GARDEN

Gardening in harmony with nature is more important than ever. Using sustainable, biodegradable products like Hortiwool reduces waste and enhances soil health. Choosing natural solutions supports biodiversity and ensures a thriving garden for seasons to come.

GARDEN WITH HORTIWOOL

By making the most of Hortiwool Garden Pads you can create a healthier, more sustainable garden while protecting young plants and improving soil conditions.
April is a rewarding month in the garden, so grab your tools and embrace the season!

Happy Gardening!