The start of the main vegetable planting season — excellent conditions for both indoor and outdoor sowing across the UK.
Plan every month with the UK vegetable planting calendar.
Sow Indoors
Tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, celery, celeriac, basil, marrows, courgettes, squash, cucumbers, pumpkins, sweetcorn
Sow Outdoors
Beetroot, carrots, parsnips, peas, broad beans, spinach, chard, lettuce, radishes, spring onions, turnips, kohl rabi, salad leaves
Plant Outdoors
Potatoes (early and maincrop), onion sets, asparagus crowns, Jerusalem artichokes, strawberries, summer cabbages (transplant)
Harvest Now
Purple sprouting broccoli (final), kale, spring cabbages, spinach, overwintered salads, forced rhubarb (final)
What to Sow in April
Courgettes, Squash and Pumpkins (Indoors)
April is the right time to start courgettes, summer squash, winter squash, and pumpkins indoors. Sow one seed per 7.5cm pot, on its side to prevent rotting, at a depth of 2.5cm. Keep at 18–20°C. Germination takes 7–10 days. Pot on as soon as roots fill the container. These grow quickly and will be ready to plant out in late May after the last frost. See our when to plant courgettes UK guide.
Sweetcorn (Indoors)
Sweetcorn should be started indoors in April in deep individual pots — it dislikes root disturbance and is best sown one seed per pot rather than in trays. Keep at 18–20°C. Plant out in late May when all frost risk has passed, in a block of at least 4×4 plants for good wind pollination. See our when to plant sweetcorn UK guide.
Beetroot (Outdoors)
April is the main beetroot sowing month. Direct sow 2cm deep, 10cm apart, in rows 30cm apart once the soil reaches 7°C. Each ‘seed’ is actually a cluster of seeds, so expect multiple seedlings per station — thin to one per station. Sow every 3–4 weeks until July for continuous harvests. See our when to plant beetroot UK guide.
Potatoes — Maincrop
Maincrop potatoes go in during April. Space them 45cm apart in rows 75cm apart, 10–15cm deep. Earth up as shoots emerge to prevent greening and encourage more tubers along the buried stem. Harvest from August through to October. See our full when to plant potatoes UK guide for first early, second early, and maincrop timing.
Peas (Outdoors)
April is the most productive pea sowing month. Direct sow 5cm deep, 7.5cm apart in double rows, in a sheltered spot. Erect supports at sowing time — even short varieties benefit from twiggy sticks. Successional sowing every 3 weeks through to June gives a long harvest season.
Carrots (Outdoors, without protection)
From mid-April in most UK regions, carrots can be sown directly outdoors without cloches once the soil has warmed. Sow thinly in drills 1cm deep, 15–30cm apart. Thin when seedlings reach 2.5cm to 5–10cm final spacing. The thinnings will attract carrot fly — thin in the evening and remove thinnings from the site.
Key April Tasks
- Prepare beds with a top dressing of general fertiliser before planting and sowing
- Set up slug and snail controls now — populations peak in April
- Pot on tomato and pepper seedlings as they grow; don’t let them get root-bound
- Net brassica seedlings and pea sowings against birds and pigeons
- Water seedlings under glass regularly — April sunshine raises greenhouse temperatures quickly
Plan Your Whole Growing Season
Month-by-month sowing guides and harvest planners for every crop, designed for UK gardeners.
Get the UK Garden Planner →Frequently Asked Questions
What can I plant outside in April in the UK?
April is the best outdoor planting month of the year. You can sow beetroot, carrots, parsnips, peas, broad beans, spinach, chard, radishes, spring onions, and lettuce directly outdoors. Maincrop potatoes and onion sets go in now too. Harden off and transplant summer brassicas and leek seedlings from mid-April.
When can I start sowing courgettes?
Sow courgettes indoors in individual 7.5cm pots from mid-April at 18–20°C. Plant out in late May or early June once all frost risk has passed. See our when to plant courgettes UK guide for full timing.
What To Plant In April UK
In April, UK gardeners can sow carrots, parsnips, beetroot, peas, spinach, lettuce, spring onions, radishes, chard and turnips. You can start courgettes, pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, sweetcorn, French beans, runner beans, brassicas and herbs under cover, plant out early potatoes, onion sets, shallots, broad beans, peas, lettuce and hardy brassicas, and harvest spring greens, overwintered spinach, chard, leeks, sprouting broccoli, rhubarb and protected salads.
| April task | Good UK options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sow outdoors | Carrots, parsnips, beetroot, peas, spinach, lettuce, spring onions, radishes, chard and turnips. | Check soil moisture and local frost risk before sowing. |
| Seeds to start indoors or under cover | Courgettes, pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, sweetcorn, french beans, runner beans, brassicas and herbs. | Protected sowings help you control temperature, pests and watering. |
| Vegetables to plant out | Early potatoes, onion sets, shallots, broad beans, peas, lettuce and hardy brassicas. | Water transplants well and protect young plants where weather or pests are likely. |
| What to harvest | Spring greens, overwintered spinach, chard, leeks, sprouting broccoli, rhubarb and protected salads. | Harvest little and often, then record what clears space for the next crop. |
Vegetables to sow outdoors in April
Sow carrots, parsnips, beetroot, peas, spinach, lettuce, spring onions, radishes, chard and turnips. Use small repeat sowings where possible so the harvest is easier to manage and gaps do not sit empty.
Seeds to start indoors or under cover
Start courgettes, pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, sweetcorn, French beans, runner beans, brassicas and herbs under cover. This is useful when outdoor conditions are too cold, too dry, too exposed or too pest-prone for reliable germination.
Vegetables to plant out
Plant out early potatoes, onion sets, shallots, broad beans, peas, lettuce and hardy brassicas. Match the planting window to your local weather and give new plants enough water while roots establish.
What to harvest in April
Harvest spring greens, overwintered spinach, chard, leeks, sprouting broccoli, rhubarb and protected salads. Keep notes on what performed well so next year's plan is based on your own garden rather than memory.
Jobs for the vegetable garden in April
Protect seedlings from late frost, harden off plants gradually, keep seed beds moist and prepare supports for peas and beans.
Common mistakes in April
Avoid putting tender beans, courgettes or sweetcorn outside too early, forgetting fleece for cold nights and sowing too thickly.
Printable monthly checklist
For April, write down four columns: sow outdoors, start under cover, plant out and harvest. Add one line for weather notes, one for bed space, and one for the next crop so the month turns into a practical plan.
Related UK planting guides
Use the vegetable planting calendar UK, compare what to plant in March UK and what to plant in May UK, then check when to plant potatoes UK, how to grow sweetcorn UK and how to grow radishes UK.
FAQ section
What vegetables can I plant in April in the UK?
In April, UK gardeners can sow carrots, parsnips, beetroot, peas, spinach, lettuce, spring onions, radishes, chard and turnips. You can start courgettes, pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, sweetcorn, French beans, runner beans, brassicas and herbs under cover, plant out early potatoes, onion sets, shallots, broad beans, peas, lettuce and hardy brassicas, and harvest spring greens, overwintered spinach, chard, leeks, sprouting broccoli, rhubarb and protected salads.
What seeds can I sow outdoors in April?
In April, outdoor options include carrots, parsnips, beetroot, peas, spinach, lettuce, spring onions, radishes, chard and turnips. Adjust the list for your local soil, weather, frost risk and available protection.
Can I plant potatoes in April in the UK?
Yes. April is one of the main UK potato planting months, especially for first earlies, second earlies and maincrop potatoes where soil is workable.
Turn This Month's Jobs Into A Plan
Month-by-month advice works best when it becomes a written sowing list, bed plan, and follow-up task list.
Plan the next step
Use the printable UK Vegetable Garden Planner to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts, and weekly garden tasks.