April Garden and Allotment Jobs

April is where things really start to come to life. We have longer days, the soil is getting warmer, and there is a sense that everything wants to grow now. It’s busy, but in a satisfying and hopeful way.

Here are some jobs that can be done in your garden or allotment in April. 

Soil and bed prep

• Keep on top of weeds while they’re small—it’s much easier now than later.

• Rake beds to a fine tilth ready for direct sowing.

• Continue adding compost where needed, especially for hungry crops.

• Earth up early potatoes as shoots appear. This will protect them from late frosts.

Planting and growing

• Plant maincrop potatoes and finish off second earlies.

• Start planting out hardy seedlings grown earlier (with protection if needed).

• Put in supports for peas and beans before they get too big.

Care and protection

• Keep fleece or cloches handy. Late frosts are still very possible here in the UK.

• Water seedlings and newly sown rows gently but consistently.

• Thin out earlier sowings (like carrots and lettuce) to give them space.

• Watch for pests (especially slugs and aphids) as growth speeds up.

In the greenhouse or undercover

• Pot on fast-growing seedlings regularly.

• Shade greenhouses on very sunny days to prevent scorching.

• Begin hardening off plants on mild days (bring them in at night).

There are also plenty of seeds that you can be sowing in April, both outside and undercover.

This is one of the busiest sowing months—lots can go straight outside now.

Direct Sow Outdoors

• Carrots

• Beetroot

• Parsnips (last chance for good results)

• Lettuce & mixed salad leaves

• Spinach

• Radish

• Spring onions

• Peas

• Broad beans

• Turnips

• Swiss chard

Flowers to Sow Outdoors

• Calendula

• Nigella

• Cornflowers

• Poppies

• Sweet peas (if not already started)

Sow Indoors or Under Cover (for later planting out once frosts pass):

• French beans & runner beans (late April)

• Courgettes

• Pumpkins & squash

• Sweetcorn

• Cucumbers

• Tender herbs (basil, coriander)

Planting Out (With Care)

If you’ve got strong seedlings and milder weather:

• Begin planting out cabbage, cauliflower and other brassicas

• Move lettuce and hardy salads outside

• Always harden off first and protect from unexpected cold nights

A Gentle April Reminder

• Growth speeds up—but so do weeds, so little and often really helps.

• Not everything needs to be done at once—April is a long, generous month.

• Keep an eye on the forecast; one cold night can undo early planting.

April is less about getting everything done and more about keeping pace with the season. Enjoy it!