As we move into the beautiful weather of April, the garden gets lush and abundant.
Make succession sowing second nature and stretch your taste buds by trying new and prolific crops. Make good use of the edible weeds and find multiple uses for anything you harvest. For example, before juicing lemons, zest and dry the rinds for use in baking. April still gives us plenty of planting opportunities, and it’s time to sow the crops that really enjoy the summer heat. Direct sowing is perfect for April gardening.
Trees:
This is the time to start getting new tropical trees planted. Before planting, carefully consider the location. Think about watering and both summer and winter microclimates. Some tropicals, such as avocado trees, will require more specialized care – be sure you understand all that is required to keep challenging trees healthy. Some popular tropicals to consider include banana, papaya, guava, mango, starfruit, and avocado.
In addition, this is also the time to plant out elderberry bushes.
The Veggie Patch
- Arugula: Continue to sow arugula this month, but perhaps in shadier locations. Arugula has, however, been known to survive the summer heat, especially the wild varieties.
- Amaranth: Young greens can be cut like spinach.
- Beans: It is better to plant heat-loving beans such as cowpeas and long beans this month. Soak overnight before planting out. Leave fava beans for planting in October.
- Corn: Soak overnight before planting.
- Cucumber: Direct sow or plant out transplants in the early part of the month. Cucumbers do not like the extreme heat of summer. However, Armenian cucumbers will do well through the hot months and can also be sown now.
- Ground cherries: Transplant out large plants.
- Eggplant: Transplant out seedlings or direct sow.
- Egyptian Spinach: Direct sow and keep soils moist until germination. Allow enough room since this plant grows upwards of 6ft.
- Luffa: Direct sow or plant out seedlings. Allow a lot of vining space.
- Melons: Direct sow or transplant seedlings
- Okra: Direct sow or plant out seedlings. Allow at least 3 feet between plants.
- Pepper: Transplant out now.
- Roselle: Direct sow or transplant out seedlings
- Squash: Plant both winter and summer squash. Winter squash needs a long hot season to mature.
- Swiss chard: Soak seeds overnight and direct sow or transplant seedlings
Roots
There are several roots that can be planted this month that need warmer weather.
- Iitoi Onions: Plant now for great harvests later.
- Bunching onions: Plant seeds or transplants.
- Ginger: Plant in an area that is well-draining and that gets dappled shade through the summer
- Sweet potato: Plant out slips or bits of sweet potato.
- Peanuts: Plant with corn.
- Turmeric: Plant in well-drained soil in dappled sun.
Herbs and Flowers
There is still time to plant several herbs and flowers to keep the color going through summer and support pollinators.
- Basil: Direct sow or transplant out now. Varieties to consider include Blue Spice, Italian, Red Freddy, Holy Basil, Thai Basil, and Lemon Basil.
- Chives: Direct sow or transplant.
- Lemon balm: Transplant seedlings.
- Mint: Transplant out seedlings in the mint family. Keep roots contained if you are concerned with them spreading.
- Marigolds: Plant around the veggie garden.
- Roselle: Direct sow or transplant out seedlings.
- Sunflowers: Direct sow.
- Zinnia: Will continue to bloom through the summer.
- Vinca: Get all summer long color with these hardy flowers
- Yarrow: sprinkle on soil and keep moist or transplant seedlings.
Want to know ahead of time what to plant? Get our planting calendars. Find out the best times to direct sow, start seed, and transplant seedlings plus additional information.