April Allotments Tips
April is when the allotment really bursts into life. As the days grow longer and the soil begins to warm, it’s the perfect time to get sowing. While late frosts can still catch you out, a little planning and regular care will set your plot up for a fantastic growing season.
🌷 Here are our top tips for April:
- ❄️ Avoid planting tender crops outdoors too early, as late frosts can still cause damage.
- 🥔 Plant chitted second early potatoes during the first half of the month, followed by maincrop potatoes later in April.
- 🌱 Keep hoeing regularly to stop weeds before they become established.
- 🌿 Prepare beds with compost or well-rotted manure before sowing.
- 🐌 Watch out for slugs, snails and carrot fly as temperatures begin to rise.
- 🌼 Harden off greenhouse-grown seedlings before planting them outdoors.
- 💧 Water during warm, dry spells but avoid overwatering after heavy rain.
- 🫘 Put supports in place for peas and beans before they begin climbing.
🌿 Jobs for April
April is one of the busiest months on the allotment, with sowing, planting and regular maintenance all getting underway.
This month’s key jobs include:
- Plant second early and maincrop potatoes.
- Sow hardy vegetables directly into prepared beds.
- Start tender crops under cover if you haven’t already.
- Prepare seed beds by removing weeds and improving the soil.
- Thin seedlings to give them plenty of room to grow.
- Feed overwintered crops with compost or a balanced fertiliser.
- Protect young plants from late frosts with fleece or cloches.
- Install supports for climbing crops such as peas and beans.
- Ventilate greenhouses on warm days to encourage healthy growth.
- Check stored potatoes and onions for signs of rot or damage.
🌱 What to Sow in April
With warmer soil and longer days, April is a fantastic month for sowing a wide range of vegetables.
Sow outdoors
- Beetroot
- Broad beans
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Chard
- Garlic
- Herbs
- Leeks
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Parsnips
- Peas
- Potatoes
- Radish
- Spinach
- Turnips
Sow under cover
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Aubergines
- Courgettes
- Squash
- Pumpkins
- Cucumbers
Plant out
- Second early potatoes
- Maincrop potatoes
- Onion sets
- Shallots
- Globe artichokes
- Asparagus crowns
April is an exciting month, full of fresh opportunities on the allotment. By sowing little and often, keeping on top of weeds and protecting young plants from late frosts, you’ll build a strong foundation for a healthy, productive