April marks the true beginning of the gardening season in the UK, offering a wealth of opportunities to sow and plant a variety of vegetables.
Here's a guide to some top crops you can start growing this month:
1. Beetroot
Planting Tips:
- Location: Choose a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil.
- Sowing: Sow seeds directly into the ground, spacing them about 10cm apart in rows 30cm apart. Thin seedlings to ensure proper development.
Knowle Nets Tip: Protect young seedlings from pests using Insect Netting.
2. Carrots
Planting Tips:
- Location: Full sun with deep, stone-free soil is ideal.
- Sowing: Sow seeds thinly in rows 1cm deep and 15cm apart. Thin seedlings to 5-7cm apart to allow roots to develop fully.
Knowle Nets Tip: Use Micromesh Tunnels to guard against carrot fly infestations.
3. Lettuce
Planting Tips:
- Location: A sunny or partially shaded area with moist, fertile soil.
- Sowing: Sow seeds thinly in rows 1cm deep, spacing rows 30cm apart. Thin seedlings to 20-25cm apart for hearting varieties.
Knowle Nets Tip: Shield your crop from birds using Bird Netting.
4. Spinach
Planting Tips:
- Location: Partial shade with rich, moisture-retentive soil.
- Sowing: Sow seeds directly into the ground, spacing them 2.5cm apart in rows 30cm apart. Thin seedlings to 7.5cm for baby leaves or 15cm for larger leaves.
Knowle Nets Tip: Prevent bolting by providing shade with Shade Netting.
5. Courgettes and Squashes
Planting Tips:
- Sowing: Start seeds indoors in pots filled with compost. Sow seeds on their sides about 2.5cm deep. Once seedlings have two true leaves and the risk of frost has passed, transplant them outdoors, spacing them 90cm apart.
6. Peas
Planting Tips:
- Location: Sunny position with well-drained soil.
- Sowing: Sow seeds in a flat-bottomed trench 5cm deep and 15cm wide, spacing seeds about 7.5cm apart. Provide support with pea sticks or netting as they grow.
Knowle Nets Tip: Sow in Rootrainers to avoid disturbing roots when planting out
7. Leeks
Planting Tips:
- Location: Sunny site with fertile soil.
- Sowing: Sow seeds indoors in modules or directly into a seedbed. Once seedlings are about 20cm tall, transplant them into 15cm deep holes, spacing them 15cm apart in rows 30cm apart.
Knowle Nets Tip: Plant in modular trays to give your crop a good start.
8. Radishes
Planting Tips:
- Location: Sunny or partially shaded spot with moist, fertile soil.
- Sowing: Sow seeds directly into the ground, 1cm deep, spacing them 2.5cm apart in rows 15cm apart. Radishes mature quickly and can be harvested within four weeks.
Knowle Nets Tip: Protect from flea beetles using Insect Netting.
By sowing these vegetables in April, you'll set the stage for a productive and rewarding growing season. Remember to check the local weather conditions and adjust planting times accordingly. Happy gardening!
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