April brings the promise of warmer weather and longer days, signaling the perfect time to get your hands dirty in the garden. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, here are 10 crops you should consider planting this April to kickstart your garden bounty.
1. Peas
There’s nothing quite like the taste of freshly picked peas, and April is the ideal time to plant them. Soak your pea seeds for 24 hours before planting, space them 2-3 inches apart, and protect seedlings from birds with insect netting.
2. Carrots
Carrots are a versatile and nutritious addition to any garden. Plant them using the square foot method, with 16 carrots per square foot, and ensure consistent germination by lightly covering the seeds with soil and watering regularly.
3. Cucumbers
For refreshing summer snacks, start cucumber seeds indoors in mid to late April, ensuring warm soil and air temperatures for optimal growth. Choose burpless varieties for a sweeter taste.
4. Squash
Squash varieties like zucchini and butternut thrive when planted in late April. Ensure warm soil temperatures for rapid sprouting and consider growing them in containers for limited space gardens.
5. Spinach
Direct sow spinach seeds in early April, soaking them beforehand for better germination. Thin seedlings to four plants per square foot and enjoy nutrient-packed greens in no time.
6. Radishes
For a quick harvest, plant radishes using the square foot method, with 16 radishes per square foot. Keep a staggered planting schedule for continuous harvest throughout the season.
7. Potatoes
Grow potatoes in buckets, spacing them 6 inches apart, and covering with soil. Perfect for small spaces, potato plants will reward you with a treasure trove of spuds in a few weeks.
8. Onions
Plant onion sets four to six weeks before the last frost, ensuring proper orientation for growth. Grow nine onions per square foot for a bountiful harvest.
9. Lettuce
Enjoy fresh salads all season by planting lettuce every two weeks. Ensure light soil cover for seed germination and thin seedlings as needed for optimal growth.
10. Beets
These cold-hardy crops are perfect for April planting. Use the square foot method for beets, and enjoy the delicious flavor.
Fact Checked, Written, and Published by Kevin Rodrigues
Kevin is the founder of Gardening Mentor, a website that aims to teach people to grow their own food in a limited space. As a self-taught gardener, Kevin has spent several years growing plants and creating gardening content on the website. He is certified in Home Horticulture and Organic Gardening from Oregon State University. He has a Post Graduate Diploma in Horticulture and Landscape Gardening from Mumbai University.
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