By April, seed-sowing should be in full swing in most places in Britain. Check specific growing suggestions for individual varieties and crops…

Many vegetables can be sown direct at this point in the year: Beetroot, carrots, chard, cauliflower, kohlrabi, lettuce, leeks, radish, turnip, spring onions, peas and perpetual spinach, etc.

Some vegetables will benefit being raised in trays, pots and modules to be transplanted: courgettes and squashes after mid April, cucumber, kohlrabi, lettuce, French beans (in deep trays), summer cabbage, sweet corn (sow into deep trays for an early crop in warmer areas), tomatoes for outdoors and more.

Sow into a seedbed to transplant: Most brassicas will do well in a seedbed and leeks, too.

Sow lots of flowers now to make sure your garden is blooming in mid summer.