April - What To Sow, Grow & Do In The Greenhouse & Yard

April is prime planting time, and your greenhouse is about to get very busy. With the true growing season underway, you can now sow everything from tomatoes and peppers to sweet peas and begonias.

We've spoken to our gardening expert friends Ellen Mary and Ruth Darrah and here is everything you need to sow, grow and do in your greenhouse in April.

Here is what to plant, how to do it, and a few essential tips to keep things running smoothly

What to grow in April

Vegetables to Grow in Your Greenhouse in April

April opens up the full range of greenhouse vegetables. Tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers can now go in with confidence.

Tomatoes

You can grow tomatoes from March but if you havent got around to it yet, choose between bush varieties (dwarf, perfect for pots, baskets or garden beds) or cordon tomatoes (vine types that need staking and training). Popular varieties include Alicante, which produces medium, tasty fruits with a generous crop, Tumbling Tom, a cherry tomato ideal for hanging baskets, and Roma, a plum tomato perfect for cooking.

Start tomatoes from seed and move seedlings to small pots first rather than straight into large containers. Plant out when frost risk has passed.

Read our full guide on how to grow tomatoes

Peppers

Grow sweet peppers for salads or chili peppers for spice. Peppers love warmth and light, so cover seeds in a propagator or with plastic wrap until shoots appear. Move seedlings to small pots, then into larger containers as they develop.

Some peppers stay in the greenhouse all season, while others can be transplanted to sunny yard spots once the weather warms. Stake plants when fruits form to support the weight.

Read our full guide on how to grow chilis in the greenhouse

Cucumbers

Homegrown cucumbers have far better flavor than grocery store varieties. Plant seeds in fertile soil and keep covered until sprouting. Transfer to larger containers as the plant grows.

Train cucumbers to climb within the greenhouse to maximise your space. If you're moving them outside, harden off seedlings gradually before planting out.

Read our guide on how to grow cucumbers in a greenhouse

Lettuce and Salad Leaves

Like tomatoes, you can begin to grow salad leaves in March, especially in the greenhouse.

Start lettuce and salad leaves under cover, then move to cooler spots as summer heat arrives. Try baby leaf spinach, arugula, and different lettuce varieties. Cut-and-come-again harvesting means you can pick what you need without replanting. Watch moisture and heat levels, as salad leaves bolt quickly in warm weather, so choose the coolest spot for planting out as the season progresses.

Herbs

Grow basil, cilantro, parsley and mint in your greenhouse this April. Mediterranean herbs like oregano and thyme can start inside before moving to the sunniest, driest patch in your yard. It sounds obvious but pick herbs to match your cooking style and you'll have fresh flavors all summer. Herbs are often fantastic pollinators and add a wonderful smell to your greenhouse and yard.

Stuck with how to grow herbs in your yard? Read our in depth guide.

Beets, Celeriac and Squashes

April is ideal for sowing beets, celeriac and squashes in seed trays in your greenhouse. These all benefit from the warmth under glass before being transplanted outdoors later in the season. Read Ruth's guide on how to grow squash.

Carrots

When thinning carrot seedlings, do it in the evening when fewer carrot root flies are about. Grow carrots in raised beds at least 60cm high, since carrot root fly cannot fly above that height. If sowing directly in the ground, cover with row cover fabric to protect them.

Flowers to Grow in Your Greenhouse in April

Get ahead with summer color by starting sweet peas, begonias and geraniums under glass this month.

Sweet Peas

Sweet peas are easy to grow and perfect for beginners. Provide climbing support as they develop. Harden off seedlings gradually and plant out at about 10cm tall. Enjoy pretty colors and lovely scent in early summer.

Gardening expert Ellen Mary says:

"The Sweet Pea seeds can be soaked in water before sowing but I have never done that in many years of growing them and they've always germinated really well.

Pop them in some well drained compost about 1cm deep, cover over with compost and keep moist. The perfect place to keep them before you harden off and plant out, is in your Rhino Greenhouse! Alternatively a warm windowsill will do."

If you'd like a more in-depth guide to Sweet Pea sowing, Fran Phillips put together a detailed article. Although this guide is made for sowing sweet peas in the autumn, there are lots of things to learn and replicate in April.

Begonias

Start begonias in your greenhouse in April. Choose tuberous begonias for hanging baskets and pots, or fibrous begonias for flowerbeds. As they grow, move them to a shady yard spot where they'll thrive.

Geraniums

Take cuttings from overwintered plants or grow geraniums from seed. Either way, they'll provide splashes of color all summer long.

April Greenhouse and Yard Tips

Beyond sowing seeds, April calls for weed control, plant support, and preparing for the warmer months ahead.

Plan Your Planting

Plan a mix of sun-loving and shade-tolerant plants. Time your sowing so seeds go in as other seedlings are potted out or planted, maximising your space.

Consider Getting a water butt

April showers are upon us and with summer not too far away, now is the time to ensure you are banking rainwater for the drier months. We often find people start to think about water butts when the drought has already set in, which is too late! Get ahead and your plants will thank you later.

Keep on Top of Weeds

Weeds start growing in earnest in April. Hand weed where you can, and hoe around garden beds and allotment plots. Little and often works best.

Support Climbing Plants Early

Tie in climbing roses, honeysuckle and clematis now, and put supports in place before plants get too big. Adding support later risks damaging the plant.

Mulch Fruit Trees and Roses

Give fruit trees, shrubs and roses a good mulch to feed them for the year ahead. Mulching retains moisture, suppresses weeds and improves soil over time.

Lawn Care

April is the time to start mowing and feeding your lawn. Start on a higher mower setting to avoid shocking the grass, then gradually lower the blade over the coming weeks.

Watch for Late Frosts

Frosts can still occur into early May, so keep seedlings and young plants protected. Row cover fabric and cloches work well outdoors, but a greenhouse offers the best protection. Automatic vents help regulate temperature on warmer days.

Feed Nesting Birds

Birds and other animals are busy looking for food, water and nesting materials. Make sure there is plenty of natural food in your yard plus supplementary bird feed.