April does not forgive mistakes in the garden: which crops should be planted urgently to preserve the harvest

April is a time when gardeners have the opportunity to either catch up with the season or fall behind. The earth is just starting to warm up, and the weather can bring surprises. The main rule of this period is to focus on soil temperature, not calendar dates.

When the temperature at a depth of 10 cm reaches +8°C, this is a signal to start. However, some crops can be planted at a temperature of +3…+5°C, while heat-loving plants should be kept in the cold until better conditions.

What crops should be planted in open ground?

It is recommended to start with crops that tolerate coolness better:

carrots and radishes are an excellent choice for beginners;
beets are planted when the soil warms up to +6°C;
early potatoes – at the beginning of the month, other varieties a little later;
greens: dill, parsley, parsnip;
lettuce, spinach, arugula – grow quickly and are unpretentious;
peas and legumes – can be sown throughout most of the month;
onions (scallions and chives) and spring garlic.
If the soil temperature exceeds +10°C, you can try planting corn and sunflowers.

What to plant in greenhouses?

A greenhouse makes it possible to start the season earlier – about a month:

tomatoes and peppers from seeds;
radishes, salads, spinach;
greens: dill, arugula, watercress;
spring onions;
leaf mustard.
In the second half of the month, you can plant aromatic herbs such as basil, lemon balm and tarragon, which love heat but feel comfortable in a greenhouse.

When is it not too late to sow for seedlings?

If March has passed, don’t worry – there is still a chance to catch up:

early-ripening tomatoes;
eggplants (although it would have been better to do it earlier);
broccoli, cauliflower, celery and leeks;
zucchini and pumpkin (better towards the end of the month).
With peppers, it is better to act quickly, since the optimal time for sowing is March, but the beginning of April is not yet the last chance.

What flowers to plant in April?

April is not only a time for vegetables, but also for beautiful flowers. Among the annuals, the following are especially popular:

marigolds;
zinnias;
cosmos;
lobelia;
asters.
Of the perennial flowers, you can plant:

irises, peonies, phloxes;
astilbe and geyhera;
lilies of the valley and daffodils.
In the middle and end of the month, gladioli, chrysanthemums and even tulips also ripen, if they were not planted earlier.

What is important to remember?

April is a critical period, and if you miss this unique opportunity, you will have to face problems such as transplanting or a reduced harvest. It is important to monitor the soil temperature, avoid rushing with heat-loving crops and do not postpone sowing for later. Spring does not wait – it works at its own pace.