Seeds to sow in April
There’s something truly satisfying about growing your own.
From the first seedlings to harvesting fresh produce for the table, it’s one of the simple pleasures of the season. The flavour, the freshness, and even the cost savings all make it worthwhile – and April is a wonderful time to get started.
Whether you have a full vegetable patch, a few raised beds, or just some pots by the back door, here are some of our favourite things to plant this month. At Priory Farm Garden Centre, we have everything you need to get started – seeds, plug plants, peat-free compost, pots, gloves, and tools to make planting simple and enjoyable.
Courgettes
Courgettes are a generous and rewarding crop, perfect for getting started in April. Sow seeds indoors in small pots or trays, somewhere warm and bright. As the seedlings grow, pot them on and keep them protected until the risk of frost has passed.
Once it’s warmer, they can be planted outside with plenty of space to spread. With a little care, you’ll be harvesting tender courgettes throughout the summer – best picked when they’re still small and full of flavour. If they’re well looked after, you can get around 4 courgettes from each plant every week during the Summer months!
Lettuce
Lettuce is one of the easiest and most satisfying crops to grow, and perfect for a continuous harvest through the season. Sow little and often from April onwards, either in trays or directly into the soil once it begins to warm.
Choose a sunny or lightly shaded spot with well-drained soil, and keep the ground moist as seedlings establish. You can harvest leaves as you need them, or allow whole heads to mature – either way, there’s nothing quite like stepping outside to pick fresh leaves for lunch. We have a wide selection of lettuce seeds and plug plants, as well as peat-free compost and containers to suit any space.
Beetroot
Beetroot is a wonderfully versatile addition to the garden. You can start seeds undercover in April or sow directly outdoors later in the month as the soil warms.
We have a wide range of beetroot varieties, including traditional reds, golden, and even striped “Chioggia” – so you can enjoy a colourful harvest straight from the garden. Space them out in rows and keep the soil moist while they establish. Harvest them young for tender, sweeter roots, or leave them to mature. We stock everything you need to grow beetroot successfully, from seeds and plug plants to compost and planting tools.
Leeks
Leeks are a slow-growing but incredibly rewarding crop, ideal if you’re thinking ahead to the colder months. Start them off in trays or pots indoors during April, giving them plenty of light as they grow.
Once they’re strong enough, they can be planted out into the garden, where they’ll continue to develop over the seasons. With a bit of patience, they’ll be ready to harvest through winter and into early spring – a real treat when not much else is growing. We have a full range of leek seeds and plug plants, as well as compost and tools to help them flourish.
Peas
April is a great time to sow peas directly into the ground. They prefer a sunny spot with well-drained soil and will benefit from support as they grow.
Peas are also a wonderful crop to grow with children – planting, watching them climb, and harvesting the sweet pods is a great way to get our younger ones excited about gardening. Whether you choose dwarf or taller varieties, there’s something special about picking peas straight from the pod. Sweet, fresh, and full of flavour, they rarely make it back to the kitchen without being sampled first!
Strawberries
Strawberries are a firm favourite for good reason. They’re easy to grow, don’t need much space, and bring a real sense of summer to the garden
Plant them in a sunny spot in well-drained soil, or tuck them into pots or hanging baskets if space is limited. With the right care, you’ll be rewarded with sweet, juicy fruit – perfect for sharing (if they last that long). We can supply everything to get you started, from plants to compost, pots, and even tools for pest control and harvesting.