Monty Don reveals his list of Vegetables everyone should be growing in April.

April marks the true beginning of the gardening season in the UK, when longer days and warming soil create the perfect conditions for sowing a wide variety of vegetables. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or a beginner with a small garden or allotment, this month offers the ideal opportunity to get your crops started for a bountiful summer harvest.

From root vegetables like carrots and beetroot to leafy greens such as lettuce and spinach, April is packed with potential. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best vegetables to grow in April, why this month is ideal for each one, and how to cultivate them successfully for fresh, homegrown produce in the months to come.

Carrots

Growing carrots in April is ideal in the UK, as the soil has begun to warm up, yet the temperatures remain cool enough to encourage strong, even germination. Carrots thrive in light, stone-free, well-drained soil, so it’s important to prepare your beds thoroughly before sowing. Avoid recently manured soil, as the richness can cause the roots to fork or split. Choose a sunny, open spot and rake the soil to a fine tilth.

Sow the seeds thinly in shallow drills around 1cm deep, spacing rows about 15–20cm apart. It’s best to cover the seeds lightly with fine soil or compost, then water gently to settle them in. Germination can take up to three weeks, especially if the weather remains cool, so be patient. Once the seedlings have emerged and reached a few centimetres in height, thin them out gradually to about 5–8cm apart to allow room for the roots to develop properly.

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and consider using fine mesh or fleece to protect against carrot root fly, a common pest. With regular weeding and care, your carrots will steadily grow and be ready to harvest in around 12–16 weeks, depending on the variety. April sowings often yield sweet, tender roots that are perfect for summer eating.

Beetroot

Growing beetroot in April is a great choice for UK gardeners, as the soil has warmed sufficiently to support healthy germination, yet the cooler spring temperatures help prevent bolting. Beetroot thrives in fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position, so start by removing weeds and raking the soil to a fine tilth. Avoid freshly manured beds, which can encourage leaf growth at the expense of root development.

You can sow beetroot seeds directly outdoors from mid-April onward, spacing them about 2.5cm apart in rows 30cm apart. Since beetroot seeds are actually clusters containing multiple embryos, you’ll often see several seedlings emerging from one spot—these should be thinned to around 10cm apart once they’re a few centimetres tall, to give each root room to grow.

Alternatively, as Gardeners World expert recommends, you can sow them in modules under cover at the beginning of the month and transplant them later for better control over spacing and early growth. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and mulch lightly to retain moisture and suppress weeds. With steady watering and thinning, beetroot sown in April will yield sweet, tender roots ready for harvest from midsummer onwards.

Lettuce

Growing lettuce in April is both easy and rewarding, as the cool spring temperatures are ideal for germination and steady leaf development without the risk of bolting that comes with summer heat. Lettuce prefers moist, fertile, and well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded position. Begin by preparing the seed bed, removing any weeds and raking the surface to a fine tilth.

Sow the seeds thinly in shallow drills about 1cm deep and space the rows around 25–30cm apart. Keep the soil consistently moist to help the seeds germinate evenly, which usually takes about 7–10 days. Once seedlings appear, thin them out gradually to give each plant 15–20cm of space, depending on the variety, ensuring good airflow and room for the leaves to spread.

You can choose between hearting types, like butterhead or romaine, or loose-leaf varieties for cut-and-come-again harvesting. Successive sowings every couple of weeks throughout April will provide a continuous supply of fresh leaves.

Protect young plants from slugs with barriers or organic pellets, and during sudden cold snaps, consider using fleece or cloches to shelter them. With the right care, April-sown lettuce will produce crisp, flavorful leaves perfect for summer salads.

Other Vegetables That Thrive in April

🫛 Peas

Peas love the cool conditions of early spring, making April a perfect time to sow them directly outdoors. Choose a sunny spot with rich, well-drained soil and provide support as they grow. Sow in wide rows or trenches, and keep the soil moist for sweet, plump pods by early summer.

🧅 Spring Onions

These quick-growing alliums are ideal for April sowing and thrive in light, fertile soil. Sow thinly in rows, and they’ll grow happily without much maintenance. They don’t need thinning and can be harvested in just 6–8 weeks, making them perfect for salads, stir-fries, and garnishes throughout the season.

🥬 Swiss Chard

Swiss chard is a hardy and vibrant leafy green that grows well from April onward. It tolerates cooler spring weather and offers both nutritious leaves and colorful stems. Sow directly into the soil in rows and thin the seedlings as they grow. You can harvest it continuously throughout the summer.

🧄 Garlic

If you didn’t plant garlic in autumn, April is your last chance to get it in the ground. Choose spring varieties, and plant cloves in well-drained, fertile soil in a sunny spot. Space them about 15cm apart. Garlic needs regular watering and will be ready to harvest by midsummer.

🥦 Kale

April is a good month to sow kale seeds either indoors or directly into the garden. Kale prefers cooler conditions and is incredibly resilient. Sow in shallow drills and thin out the seedlings to give each plant room to grow. It provides nutritious leaves well into autumn and even winter.

🥒 Courgettes (Zucchini)

While it’s still too cold to plant courgettes outside, April is perfect for starting them indoors in pots. Sow one seed per pot in rich compost and keep them on a sunny windowsill or in a greenhouse. Once the risk of frost has passed, transplant them outdoors for a summer harvest.