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What to Plant in Scotland Each Month: Veg, Fruits, Herbs & Edible Flowers. Planting in April
Planting in April
What to Plant in Scotland Each Month: Veg, Fruits, Herbs & Edible Flowers
April brings longer days and milder temperatures, but Scottish weather can still be unpredictable. It’s a key month for sowing, transplanting and early outdoor planting, while keeping an eye on late frosts.
PHOTOS: From end of March to show where we got to with our growing and sowing
Vegetable Seeds To Start Indoors In April
Brussels sprouts: long season crop, start now for Winter harvests.
Courgettes: fast growing, ideal to start now for early Summer planting.
Pumpkins & squash: vigorous plants, start indoors for a strong head start.
Sweetcorn: benefits from indoor sowing in cooler climates.
Cucumber (outdoor & greenhouse): needs warmth, start indoors for best results.
French beans (early April): can be started indoors to avoid cold soil.
Runner beans (late April): quick to germinate, protect from cold.
Lettuce: quick crops, ideal for continuous indoor windowsill sowing.
Kale: hardy and productive, good for later transplanting.
TIPS
April is ideal for starting faster growing vegetables, but timing is key don’t sow too early or plants may outgrow their pots before it’s warm enough outside. Use bright light and moderate warmth, and begin hardening off seedlings toward the end of the month. Keep fleece or cloches ready, as late frosts are still common in Scotland.
Providing bottom heat, such as a heated propagator or heat mat, can significantly improve germination rates during cold, low light months. Read more in this blog: The Importance of Seed Starting with Heat Mats and Grow Lights
Herb Seeds To Start Indoors In April
Basil: thrives with warmth and light, ideal to start now.
Coriander: fast growing; sow little and often for fresh leaves.
Dill: delicate and quick, best sown in pots.
Parsley: slow but reliable, benefits from consistent moisture.
Chives: hardy and easy, great for pots or borders.
Thyme: prefers dry, sunny conditions, slow to establish.
Oregano: hardy perennial, develops strong flavour over time.
Marjoram: similar to oregano but slightly milder.
TIPS
With better light levels, April herbs establish more quickly, but warmth is still important for tender types like basil. Use free draining compost and avoid overwatering. Begin moving hardy herbs outdoors during mild spells, but bring them back in or protect them if temperatures drop.
If you need more information and detail on growing these head over to ours guides, we have one on each of these herbs in full detail. Guides to the Fruits, Herbs & Edible Flowers We Grow: Cultivation, Care & Harvesting
Edible Flower Seeds To Start Indoors In April
Nasturtium: fast growing, peppery leaves and flowers. We direct sow these in May outside too
Calendula: easy and reliable, long flowering season. We direct sow these in May outside too
Borage: quick to establish, excellent for pollinators. We direct sow these in May outside too
Viola / pansy: hardy and continuous flowering.
Cornflower: easy to grow, great for cutting and garnishes.
Sunflower (edible petals): start indoors for earlier blooms.
Chives & garlic chives: edible flowers and leaves. We direct sow these in May outside too
Lavender: slow growing; still possible to start indoors, best taken from cuttings.
TIPS
April is perfect for sowing edible flowers, with enough light for strong seedlings. Many can also be direct sown outdoors later in the month if conditions are mild. Keep seedlings cool and well lit to avoid legginess and start hardening off early for transplanting in May.
If you need more information and detail on growing these head over to ours guides. Guides to the Fruits, Herbs & Edible Flowers We Grow: Cultivation, Care & Harvesting
Fruit & Nut Trees To Plant Outside In April
April is the tail end of tree planting season, focus on dwarf container grown trees, as bare-root season is finishing. Water well after planting and mulch to retain moisture. Protect early blossom from late frosts where possible, especially for plums and cherries.
If you need more information and detail on growing these head over to ours guides. Guides to the Fruits, Herbs & Edible Flowers We Grow: Cultivation, Care & Harvesting
Fruit Bushes To Plant Outside In April
Strawberries: plant runners or young plants now for Summer crops.
Blueberries: ideal for pots with acidic compost.
Raspberries: can still be planted early April.
Gooseberries: hardy, plant early before growth accelerates.
Currants: suitable for Spring planting.
Blackberries: vigorous and reliable; needs support.
TIPS
April is best for planting container grown fruit bushes (ones that are in pots, budding ready to plant out) , as bare root planting is coming to an end. Keep plants well watered as temperatures rise, and mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Ensure good spacing and airflow to reduce disease later in the season.
If you need more information and detail on growing these head over to ours guides. Guides to the Fruits, Herbs & Edible Flowers We Grow: Cultivation, Care & Harvesting
You can see what is going on outside in out month tours: March: Month By Month In Our Scottish Gardens
Happy Gardening!
P.S Our Story book Vol 3 : Clayton’s Tiny Little Seeds: A Story of Autism and Sowing is a perfect time read to introduce sowing
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Katrina & Clayton and family live in East Ayrshire and share their daily life in the garden on instagram. They practice permaculture principles in the garden, reducing & repurposing waste whenever they can. Katrina shows how home educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive.
Clayton Completed The 2 Grow and Learn Courses with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society. He is Autistic, Non Verbal & has been Home Educated since 2018. Katrina & Peter hold their PDC & PDC PRO Permaculture Design Course from Oregon State University.
They featured on BBC Beechgrove Gardens Ep23 2022 and returned in 2023 for an update, Katrina & Clayton are also columnists for ScotlandGrows Magazine, Guest Blog for Caledonian Horticulture as well as working with Gardeners’ World Magazine and many other brands.
They are also Author of the new Children’s Book Series: Clayton’s Garden Journey: Stories of Autism and Gardening. Topics on Growing, Harvesting, Sowing & Composting and 108 Page Weather and Seasons Weekly Gardening Record Book available on Amazon and Kindle.
Listen in on their Guest Podcasts to learn more about them.
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Author of the new children’s book series: Clayton’s Garden Journey: Stories of Autism and Gardening. Including Stories on Growing, Harvesting, Sowing, Composting, Feeding The Birds and A Sowing, Growing, Weather and Seasons Weekly Gardening Record Book available on Amazon and Kindle
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