What to plant and harvest in April: garden calendar

The month of April is a month of widespread planting but there is also a lot to harvest. In addition, it is a month of intense tasks in the garden because the risk of pests multiplies and the instability over time requires us to be very attentive to the needs that arise to protect our plants. What to plant, harvest and what tasks to do in the garden in April? We’ll tell you then.

What to plant in April

In April there can be very hot days. Heat accelerates plant development, but too much heat can be fatal in sheltered nurseries and greenhouses or tunnels. You should make sure they are well ventilated.

1. Red onion. The good temperatures encourage transplanting the seedlings into the ground. With light and heat, in addition to growing more easily, they will concentrate more nutrients and aromatic molecules.2. Beans. You can start sowing beans of enrame now. Sow in rows about 50 cm apart and place 2 or 3 seeds in holes every 15-20 cm, preferably in soft, well-seasoned soil.3. Beetroot. Sowing and transplanting in April, once the cold has finished, ensures the best results. Stagger it once a month to enjoy shapely beets all year long.4. Melon. In temperate zones it is an ideal month to sow or transplant melons. In the cold ones, it is convenient to cover them at the beginning with thermal meshes or plastic bottles cut as a mini greenhouse.5. Eggplants. We sow in the seedbed, we plant the seedlings in root balls or pots so that they take root and, when there is no more frost, we transplant them outdoors. This vegetable likes light and heat, as well as soil rich in humus, deep, well fluffy and cool, so it is advisable to cover or mulch the soil to maintain humidity. We will be able to harvest from July, 70-90 days after transplanting.

What to pick up in April

In April we can be harvesting asparagus, lamb’s lettuce, artichokes, broccoli, chard, endives, endives, cardoons, spinach, cabbage, kales, cauliflower, strawberries, peas, “cometodo” peas, broad beans, lettuce, turnips, leeks, radishes, parsley, rocket and carrots.

1. Cabbage cabbage. You can thin out the outer leaves to use them in stews with chickpeas or other legumes, and wait for them to grow well to harvest and cook them with other vegetables from the garden.2. Endives. In cold areas, it is a good time to harvest. If you like the whiter part of the leaves you can tie or cover them a week in advance, although the green leaves are more nutritious.3. Arugula. It is easy to grow and you can go collecting leaves as you need them. Try to harvest them after a few hours of good solar radiation: they will have more polyphenols and therapeutic substances, and less nitrates.4. Peas. You can harvest the pods that are still very tender to eat them fresh in salads or wait for them to thicken to take advantage of their greater nutritional value in stews or stews.

Garden chores in April

Be aware of unstable weather

If April does not follow the proverb and the rain is scarce, we will have to start watering the garden regularly, so that the earth, with the heat, does not remain dry. In most areas, in addition, when the frost is over, we will do widespread planting and transplanting.

It is also important be alert to possible late waves of cold or occasional frosts, they can do a lot of damage. At the slightest indication, we will protect sensitive plants, such as tomatoes or zucchini.

Protect the crop from pests

The alternation of rain and heat favors the proliferation of fungi and cryptogamic diseases and rot. Can do preventive spraying with decoction of horsetail and yogurt diluted in water at 10%. Faced with serious attacks, we can add a few drops of tincture of propolis.

The risk of aphids or other aphids is low if fertile soil is used and nitrogen fertilizers are not abused. Even so, to prevent and alleviate we can wet the plants well every week or two with a dilution of 3 garlic cloves and 3 chillies per liter of water (crushed and filtered).

We can take advantage of the fact that a lot of nettle grows now to prepare a “nettle slurry”. It will stimulate the growth of leafy plants and strengthen the rest.

Also competing herbs will begin to proliferate. The soil should be weeded and aerated regularly. Or mulch the terraces of the plants sown and transplanted the previous month.

Pass the lettuce to the compost bin

With gradually rising temperatures, many lettuces and most cabbages tend to set in flower and head, making them no longer fit to eat. Unless we want to keep some bushes to store seeds, as soon as they start to spike, they should be uprooted and taken to the compost bin.

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