(Beware of late frosts — they can still catch us out!)

What to sow in April

Under cover (indoors or in the greenhouse):

• Marrows, courgettes, pumpkins, squashes
• Sweet peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines
• Celery and celeriac
• Salads and globe artichokes
• Courgettes, marrows, squashes, cucumbers and pumpkins all do well when sown in individual 5cm pots under cover.

Outdoors in prepared beds:

• Early beetroot
• Carrots — for best results, companion plant with onions, leeks or chives, or cover with fine mesh to deter carrot fly
• Celeriac: Needs a long growing season for an autumn/winter harvest. Sow now under cover, then pot on when seedlings are large enough to handle.
• Leeks: Sow in seed trays under cover for harvesting from autumn.
• Lettuce: Best started under cover in April.
• Peas: Can be sown directly outside, but mice love them. If they’re a problem, sow indoors and plant out when seedlings reach around 15cm tall.
• Late April sowings: Radish, Swiss chard, spinach, turnips.

What to do in April

• Keep weeds under control — they grow fast this month.
• Protect fruit blossom from late frosts.
• Sow hardy annuals and wildflower seeds outdoors.
• Feed hungry shrubs and roses to support strong spring growth.
• Sow new lawns and repair bare patches.
• Prune fig trees.
• Tie in climbing roses.
• Put up netting and support structures now for fruiting plants — much easier before the growth spurt begins. (The Hut stocks a variety of netting and supports.)
• As the weather warms, ants may become a nuisance indoors. (The Hut has four types of ant killer available.)
• It will soon be warm enough to apply spring/summer lawn fertiliser and selective weedkillers, if needed.