1. Time to sow
At last, the time to get sowing has arrived! Now is the ideal time to sow tender annual plants such as courgettes, squashes, cucumbers, and melons. It's also an excellent time to start your French beans, runner beans, and other climbing beans. Begin them in pots to give them a strong start.
2. Potting On
Transfer tomatoes, aubergines, and peppers sown last month into larger 9cm pots to encourage sturdy growth and avoid them becoming leggy. Keep these plants warm and protected until early to mid-May, gradually acclimating them outdoors on warmer days if possible.
3. Continue Succession Planting
Maintain staggered lettuce planting to enjoy ongoing harvests, and keep sowing annual herbs like sweet marjoram and basil for an abundant supply throughout the season.
Continue sowing annual flowers to ensure vibrant blooms throughout the season—cosmos, snapdragons, and sunflowers are ideal choices.
4. Watch for late frosts
While the risk of frost gradually reduces, be cautious before planting young seedlings outside as frost can still occur until early May. For now, it’s best to keep seedlings and young plants in a greenhouse or on your windowsills at night and put them outside during the day to harden off. In the meantime, outside, prepare your vegetable beds by incorporating compost.
5. Water well
If the dry weather continues, make sure to regularly water fruit plants such as strawberries and raspberries that thrive in a wet spring. Roses also prefer wet spring conditions, so give them extra watering if rainfall remains sparse.
Biodynamic Tip for April
Another application of the 500 preparation spray would be beneficial now. It's also the perfect time to start building a compost heap for next year's use and to prepare and turn your current compost heap for immediate incorporation into your garden beds.
Additionally, you can begin collecting dandelion flowers for your next batch of the biodynamic 506 compost preparation—one of several biodynamic compost preparations you'll need to make throughout the summer. For the 506, gather the dandelion flowers early in the morning just as they open—select blooms with a clear crown or central core. Spread the flowers out to dry on muslin or newspaper, avoiding stacking, and cover them to protect from direct sunlight. Store in a warm, airy place until completely dry.