April - this is what you can sow and cultivate

Grow your own

Sowing calender

Spring

Spring is on its way, and the light is growing stronger by the day. Now is truly the time to start pre-cultivating both vegetables and flowers. Out in the garden, you can also get started with the hardiest plants.

SOWING CALENDAR – APRIL

The weather can still be a bit unpredictable in April, but this is the month when newly sown seeds really begin to sprout and grow. It's high time to take stock of the seed packets you already have, dive into which new seeds you want to get, and start planning your summer garden.

Pre-cultivate indoors in April

The most delicate plants should still be sown indoors, so they can be planted out only after the frost has safely said its final goodbye.

Vegetables you can pre-cultivate indoors in April

Squash
Pumpkin
Beetroot
Chard
Onion
Tomato (can also be sown in March)
Lettuce
Snap beans
Basil
Turnip
Fennel
Melon
Broccoli
Cucumber (preferably wait until the end of the month or even May to avoid overly spindly plants)

See our vegetable seeds

Summer flowers you can pre-cultivate in April

Snapdragon
Aster
Nasturtium
Annual phlox
Zinnia
Cosmos
Cornflower
Sunflower
Ornamental tobacco

See our flower seeds

Read more:

5 tips for successful pre-cultivation

Sow outdoors in April

The hardier plants can now be sown directly outdoors. Many of the crops you can sow now—especially vegetables like lettuce and sugar snap peas—can also be sown in batches throughout the season to give you a longer and more staggered harvest.

Sow outdoors in a greenhouse, growing tunnel or hotbed

If you have a heated bed, grow tunnel, or greenhouse, you can also start pre-cultivating several plants there that you’ll later move outdoors. Many of the vegetables you could sow in March can also be sown now in April, such as carrots, arugula, and radishes.

Just remember that both greenhouses and grow tunnels can get really warm when the spring sun hits, so it’s a good idea to hang a curtain for shade or cover sensitive plants with garden fleece to prevent sunburn. A barrel or bucket of water in the greenhouse can help balance the temperature if there are large differences between day and night.

Sow outdoors in beds and planters

Even though the nights are still chilly, it’s possible to sow several seeds directly outdoors in April. Many seeds are hardy and will thrive as soon as temperatures rise above 5–6°C.

Spinach
Radishes
Carrots
Dill
Romaine lettuce
Parsley
Loose-leaf lettuce
Sugar snap peas
Annual summer flowers

There’s plenty to do in April, but don’t forget to enjoy yourself. Take a coffee break in the spring sun and watch newly awakened small tortoiseshell butterflies or queen bumblebees busily searching for a new home.

Written by Liselotte Roll

Swedish garden inspirer, journalist and author of books about nature, cultivation and animals, such as "Soil", "Grow for insects" and "Chickens as a hobby".

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January - this is what you can sow and cultivate

When the garden is blanketed in snow, it’s easy to think that growing has to wait — but luckily, there’s plenty you can do already if your green fingers are itching.

February - this is what you can sow and cultivate

Winter is in full swing. For those of us who garden, this is a quieter time, but for those who want to, there’s always something to do.

March - this is what you can sow and cultivate

Rain, slush, or beautiful powder snow? March weather often swings wildly. Luckily, it's still possible to get a head start on spring, because when the light returns, it's time to start putting seeds in the soil.

May - this is what you can cultivate

Finally! Sun, warmth, and budding sprouts. Now spring is truly here, and you can sow plenty of greens directly into pots and beds. If you want to harvest a lot this summer, you should get as much as possible in the ground now.

June - this is what you can sow and cultivate

The delightful early summer is here, the days are getting warmer, and the garden is in full swing. Now, you can sow most vegetables directly in the ground, and as long as the frost nights stay away, plants that have been pre-cultivated indoors can be planted out in the open.

July - this is what you can sow and cultivate

Summer is finally here! Remember to enjoy it while you can, and plant everything you have – because now it's warm in both the soil and the garden.

August - this is what you can sow and grow

Lush greenery and late summer warmth! August offers the harvest of apples, vegetables and berries, but it's still not too late to sow something new. How about some fast-growing vegetables?

September - this you can sow and cultivate

Beautiful red foliage and the last traces of summer. Now is the time to harvest the final vegetables and fruits from the garden. At the same time, it’s a great opportunity to plant something new—and, most importantly, to plant flower bulbs in the ground for a wonderful, blooming spring.

October - this is what you can sow and cultivate

The days are getting shorter, and the cold is creeping in – but it is still possible to grow! October is a fantastic time for those who want to sow for the fall, plant flower bulbs, divide and plant perennials, roses and, not least, new trees.

November - this is what you can sow and cultivate

Gray or snowy? November can bring different weather, from place to place and year to year. Regardless, there is a lot that can be done in the garden. How about preparing for spring grafting of apple and pear trees, or taking winter cuttings? In addition, in some places you can still harvest seeds, divide perennials, plant new ones, autumn sow or prepare for winter sowing.

December - this is what you can sow and cultivate

Christmas is approaching, and gardening may seem far away. But for those who yearn, there is always something to sow and plant. Summarize this year's efforts in the garden and plan for the coming season.

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Tips and tricks - Grow your own

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Grow your own

Sowing calender

Spring