"The uncertain glory of an April day"

What seeds to sow in April ?

The start of April has seen the blossom erupt in the warm dry spring sunshine.  Now the soil is warm and dry it could be time to start sowing directly outside. The weeds have realised the sun is out too so I am trying to keep on top of those; a wander round the garden first thing I soon spot any emerging.

Not to neglect the seeds sown indoors. I have potted on my peppers so the propagator is full of tomatoes, basil and kale.  The dahlias sown 3 weeks ago are waiting to be individually transplanted too.  Keeping a watchful eye on the overnight temperatures, it is still too early for the plantlets to go outside with risk of frost. Chitted potatoes can be planted out, earlies the first half of the month, main varieties the latter half.

There is a huge choice of vegetable, flower and herb seeds I could sow now either starting off indoors or outside.  I need to be realistic and choose the varieties I like to eat or use or are attractive to pollinators within the space I have available. I like to grow a selection of herbs as these are expensive in the shops and always taste or smell more flavoursome when picked fresh.  A bush courgette in a large container will feed me throughout the summer. Similarly a patio cucumber. Both of these can be started this month indoors alongside a plethora of others from salads to sweetcorn, brassicas to carrots to those cucurbits (cucumbers and the like).

 Not forgetting flowers either.  I have my marigolds lined up, alongside ox eye daisies, foxgloves and cornflowers. I shall sow some sunflowers later too indoors in modules. There are many half hardy annuals that can be sown now – from ageratum to zinnias. Take your pick!

Quote "The uncertain glory of an April day" William Shakespeare, Two Gentlemen of Verona