April is a season of promise for gardeners. With the warming soil and increasing sunlight, it's the perfect time to get a variety of herbs, vegetables, and flowers into the ground. Here's a professional guide to some of the best crops to start in April, with expert tips to ensure success.
1. Cilantro
Recommended Variety: Slowbolt (bolt-resistant)
Germination Tips:
-
Gently crush the seeds to split the husk, allowing for faster water absorption.
-
Ideal soil temperature for sowing is 55°F – 65°F (13°C – 18°C).
-
Can be started in seed trays, but direct sowing is recommended to avoid root disturbance during transplanting.
Advice: Sow every 3–4 weeks for a continuous supply of fresh cilantro throughout the season.
2. Hollyhocks
Recommended Varieties: Indian Spring (first-year blooms), Chater’s Double, Outhouse Blend
Germination Tips:
-
Do not bury the seeds. Light exposure is essential for germination.
-
Press seeds gently into pre-moistened soil.
-
Optional: Lightly sand or soak seeds to improve germination rate.
Advice: Start early indoors or direct sow into well-prepared beds. Biennial types will bloom in their second year unless started very early.
3. Lemongrass
Recommended Method: Use nursery starter plants
Growing Tips:
-
Difficult to grow from seed; best results come from young transplants.
-
Grows well in large containers due to its size.
-
Requires consistent moisture during early growth stages; becomes drought-tolerant once established.
Advice: Ideal for patios, borders, or ornamental beds. Lemongrass is edible, aromatic, and may also repel mosquitoes.
4. Pumpkins
Recommended Variety: Honey Baby (compact winter squash)
Planting Tips:
-
Sow directly into compost-rich raised beds.
-
Choose space-saving varieties to prevent sprawling vines.
-
Monitor for pests like squash vine borers and keep soil consistently moist.
Advice: In hot climates, consider heat-tolerant varieties such as the Seminole Pumpkin. Succession planting ensures steady yield into summer.
5. Cucumbers
Recommended Varieties: Quick Snack (compact, self-pollinating), Hocus (small pickling), Telegraph Improved (classic slicer)
Planting Tips:
-
Direct sow once soil is sufficiently warm.
-
For tray sowing, plant 2–3 seeds per cell, ½ inch deep.
-
Use trellises for vining types to save space and improve airflow.
Advice: Quick Snack is ideal for beginners or container growers due to its parthenocarpic (self-pollinating) nature.
6. Pole Beans
Recommended Varieties: Scarlet Runner, Blue Lake FM-1K, Kentucky Wonder
Planting Tips:
-
Wait until soil is above 60°F (15.5°C) to prevent seed rot.
-
Plant seeds next to vertical supports like bamboo or string trellises.
-
Beans need direct contact with a vertical surface to climb effectively.
Advice: Maximize garden space by interplanting pole beans with existing crops. These varieties are high-yielding and space-efficient.
7. Sunflowers
Recommended Varieties: Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia), Mammoth, Vanilla Ice
Sowing Tips:
-
Start seeds indoors in trays to protect seedlings from slugs.
-
Direct sow after last frost in well-drained soil for in-ground planting.
-
Use 20-gallon containers for portable growth.
Advice: Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming. Sunflowers are pollinator magnets and can be used as natural trellises for climbing plants.
8. Bittermelon
Recommended Method: Direct seeding only
Planting Tips:
-
Sow seeds about twice their diameter deep.
-
Spacing: at least 24 inches (60 cm) apart.
-
Requires consistent watering during early establishment.
Advice: Fast-growing, vigorous, and extremely heat-tolerant, bittermelon is perfect for trellising and thrives in warm climates.
9. Summer Squash
Recommended Varieties: Tromboncino (climbing), Chiffon (compact yellow), Emerald Delight (classic green)
Planting Tips:
-
Sow directly in soil enriched with compost.
-
Grow vertically using stakes or netting to control spread.
-
Place 2 seeds per mound, spaced slightly apart.
Advice: Choose compact or trellising varieties to save space and reduce disease risk. Emerald Delight is noted for its flavor and low spine count.
10. Onions
Recommended Varieties: Texas Early Grano, Red of Florence, Zebrune, White Lisbon, Flat of Italy
Sowing Tips:
-
Understand onion types: short-day, intermediate, or long-day, based on latitude.
-
Bulbing onions: sow 2 seeds per cell.
-
Bunching onions: sow 6–10 seeds per cell for cluster growth.
Advice: Sprouted onion seedlings can be separated and replanted for more yield. Mix shallots, red, yellow, and bunching types for variety and versatility.
Wrap-Up: April’s Garden is Yours to Shape
April is nature’s blank canvas—ripe for cilantro sprigs, sunflowers towering to the sky, and pole beans climbing into summer. With a little planning and the right varieties, your garden can be both beautiful and bountiful.
Got a favorite seed that never fails?
Trying something totally new this year?
Share your April picks—let’s swap green secrets and grow together.
