April Planting Guide

For your two 3 ft × 2 ft beds you planted in March. It keeps both beds productive, adds new crops as space opens, and prepares you for steady harvests into summer.

1. Refreshing the Beds in April

Light Soil Preparation

• Remove spent crops: Harvest remaining radishes or early lettuce thinnings.
• Top up with compost: Add a thin ½–1 inch layer of compost to replenish nutrients.
• Gently loosen the surface: Avoid disturbing roots of crops still growing.
• Water before sowing: Damp soil helps April seeds germinate quickly.

2. What to Plant in April

April allows you to introduce slightly warmer-season crops while continuing cool-season sowings.

Suitable Vegetables

• Leafy greens: Lettuce, spinach, chard, rocket
• Roots: Carrots, beetroot, radishes (succession sow)
• Legumes: Peas, dwarf French beans (late April)
• Brassicas: Kale, kohlrabi
• Herbs: Parsley, dill, coriander, chives

3. Updated Bed Plans for April

These layouts assume you planted the March plan and now want to extend productivity.

Bed 1: Greens & Fast Crops

• Front row (1 ft): New sowing of radishes + spring onions
• Middle row (1 ft): Continue harvesting cut-and-come-again lettuce; fill gaps with chard or rocket
• Back row (1 ft): Spinach continues; sow kale or kohlrabi in any open patches

Notes:

• Chard provides colour and long-season harvest.
• Kale sown now will be ready for summer picking.

Bed 2: Roots & Beans

• Front row (1 ft): Second sowing of beetroot
• Middle row (1 ft): Carrots continue; sow more if space allows
• Back row (1 ft): Peas continue; in late April, add dwarf French beans once frost risk drops

Notes:

• Beans need warmer soil; sow only after mid–late April.
• Keep peas well-watered as temperatures rise.

4. April Planting Tips

• Succession sowing: Sow small amounts every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvests.
• Thin seedlings: Give carrots and beetroot space to grow.
• Mulch lightly: Helps retain moisture as days warm.
• Watch for pests: Slugs love young seedlings; use barriers or traps.
• Support peas: Add extra twigs or netting as they climb.

5. At-a-Glance April Chart

Crop	Sow in April	Spacing	Notes
Lettuce	Yes	6–8 in	Fill gaps from March crops
Chard	Yes	8–10 in	Long-season harvest
Rocket	Yes	4–6 in	Fast and reliable
Radish	Yes	2–3 in	Ideal for succession
Beetroot	Yes	4–6 in	Second sowing now
Carrots	Yes	Thin to 2–3 in	Keep soil moist
Peas	Yes	2 in	Continue from March
French beans	Late April	6 in	Needs warmth
Kale	Yes	12 in	Plant in gaps

6. Summary

With these April updates, your two compact beds stay productive and varied. You’ll enjoy a mix of fast crops, leafy greens, and developing summer vegetables, all from simple, small-space planning.