April Garden Guide
🌼Garden Delights in April: PNW Edition!🌱
April is an exciting time for gardeners in the Pacific Northwest! As the days lengthen and the weather warms, our gardens beckon us with promises of fresh harvests and colorful blooms. Here’s your guide to making the most of your garden this April, complete with what to sow outdoors, and indoors, with some additional flower inspirations. Let’s dive in!
Sow Outdoors 🌱
Planting the Beet Family 🌱
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa): Quinoa is a nutritious pseudo-grain known for its high protein content. Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil for planting quinoa seeds. Sow the seeds directly into the garden beds, spacing them according to the variety's recommendations. Keep the soil consistently moist during germination and growth.
Beets (Beta vulgaris): Beets are versatile root vegetables with edible greens. Plant beet seeds directly into the garden beds, about 1/2 inch deep and 2 inches apart. Thin the seedlings to allow proper spacing and promote root development. Beets prefer fertile soil and regular watering to thrive.
Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla): Swiss chard is a nutritious leafy green with colorful stems. Sow Swiss chard seeds directly into well-draining soil in a sunny to partially shaded location. Keep the soil consistently moist and harvest the outer leaves as needed for continuous growth.
Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album): Lambsquarters are edible wild greens that can be sown directly into garden beds for a nutritious addition to salads and cooked dishes. They tolerate a wide range of soil conditions but prefer fertile, well-draining soil.
Planting the Mint Family 🌿
Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum): Anise hyssop is a fragrant herb with licorice-like flavor. Sow seeds of anise hyssop directly into well-draining soil in a sunny location. Water the seeds regularly until they germinate and establish.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): Lemon balm is a lemon-scented herb used for teas, culinary purposes, and aromatherapy. Plant lemon balm seeds outdoors in a location with partial shade to full sun. Keep the soil consistently moist during germination and growth.
Planting Mustard Family Greens 🥗
Arugula (Eruca vesicaria): Arugula is a peppery salad green that thrives in cool weather. Sow arugula seeds directly into garden beds in early spring. Harvest the leaves when they are young and tender for the best flavor.
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica): Broccoli is a nutritious and delicious vegetable that grows well in the PNW's mild climate. Plant broccoli seeds directly into well-amended soil with good drainage. Provide consistent moisture and protect young plants from pests like cabbage worms.
Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala): Kale is a hardy green packed with vitamins and minerals. Sow kale seeds directly into garden beds in early spring or late summer for a fall harvest. Keep the soil consistently moist and harvest outer leaves for continuous growth.
Sow Late April 🌱
Sowing Cabbage in Late April 🥬
Before sowing cabbage seeds, consider the variety that best suits your garden and culinary preferences. Common varieties include green cabbage, red cabbage, savoy cabbage, and Napa cabbage. Ensure the soil is fertile, loose, and rich in organic matter. Incorporate compost or well-aged manure into the soil to provide essential nutrients for healthy cabbage growth. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged throughout the germination and growing stages. Once the cabbage seedlings have developed several true leaves, thin them to the recommended spacing to allow for proper growth. Transplant any excess seedlings to other areas of your garden or share them with fellow gardeners.
Sowing Runner Beans in Late April 🌱
Runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus) are climbing beans that produce vibrant flowers and long pods. Choose runner bean varieties suited for your climate and garden space. Common varieties include Scarlet Emperor, Painted Lady, and White Emergo. Runner beans require support for their climbing vines. Runner beans thrive in fertile, well-draining soil. Avoid planting runner beans in nitrogen-rich soil, as excessive nitrogen can promote leafy growth at the expense of flower and pod production. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the germination and growing stages. Encourage tendrils to grasp onto trellises or stakes for vertical growth. Avoid handling the vines excessively to prevent damage. Continuously harvest mature pods to encourage further production.
Sow Indoors 🏡
Starting Seeds Indoors from the Amaranth Family 🌺
Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena globosa): These globe-shaped flowers come in vibrant shades of pink, purple, red, and white. Start globe amaranth seeds indoors in seed trays or small pots filled with well-draining potting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist and provide bright, indirect light for optimal germination. Once the seedlings have developed a few sets of true leaves and the threat of frost has passed, transplant them outdoors into sunny locations for continuous summer blooms.
Flowering Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.): Known for their striking, feathery flower heads, flowering amaranths add height and texture to garden beds. Start seeds indoors similar to globe amaranth, ensuring adequate light and moisture. Transplant the seedlings outdoors in late spring or early summer once the soil has warmed up, and enjoy their ornamental value throughout the season.
Starting Seeds Indoors from the Nightshade Family 🍅
Ground Cherry (Physalis spp.): Ground cherries produce small, sweet fruits enclosed in papery husks. Start ground cherry seeds indoors in early spring, about 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost date. Use well-draining soil and provide warmth for germination. As the seedlings grow, gradually harden them off before transplanting them outdoors into sunny locations with rich, fertile soil.
Tomatillos (Physalis ixocarpa): Tomatillos are tangy, versatile fruits used in salsas, sauces, and Mexican cuisine. Start tomatillo seeds indoors in seed trays or pots, ensuring they receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight or supplemental grow lights. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Transplant the seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed, spacing them about 2-3 feet apart in well-draining soil.
Starting Seeds Indoors for Summer Squash 🥒
Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus): Cucumbers thrive in warm temperatures and require ample sunlight. Start cucumber seeds indoors in biodegradable pots or peat pellets to minimize root disturbance during transplanting. Provide bottom heat to encourage germination and maintain a consistent watering schedule. Transplant the seedlings outdoors after the last frost date, spacing them according to the variety's recommendations.
Squash (Cucurbita spp.) and Melons: Whether you're growing zucchini, summer squash, or melons like cantaloupe or watermelon, starting seeds indoors gives them a head start on the growing season. Use large pots or seed trays with well-draining soil, and provide warmth and plenty of sunlight for healthy seedling development. Transplant the squash and melon seedlings outdoors once all risk of frost has passed, spacing them according to their specific requirements for optimal growth.
Starting Seeds Indoors for Basil 🌿
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a staple herb in many kitchens, prized for its aromatic leaves used in pesto, salads, and various dishes. Start basil seeds indoors in small pots or seed trays filled with quality potting mix. Keep the soil evenly moist and provide warmth and bright light for germination. Once the basil seedlings have developed a few sets of true leaves, they can be transplanted outdoors into containers or garden beds with well-draining soil and full sun.
More Flowers for Your Garden 🌺
Enhance your garden's beauty with colorful blooms! Sow seeds of nasturtium, borage, flax, mallow, sunflowers, and cosmos directly into your garden beds. These flowers not only add visual appeal but also attract beneficial pollinators.
Nasturtium: Nasturtiums can be sown outdoors in the PNW from late April to early May, after the last frost date. They thrive in warm weather, so planting them once the soil has warmed up a bit is ideal.
Borage: Borage seeds can be sown directly outdoors in late April to early May as well. They are fairly hardy and can tolerate cooler temperatures, but they prefer warmer conditions for optimal growth.
Flax: Flax seeds are typically sown outdoors in early spring, around March to April in the PNW. They prefer cooler temperatures and will germinate well in the cool, moist soil of early spring.
Mallow: Depending on the specific type of mallow (e.g., common mallow, marsh mallow), they can be sown outdoors in the PNW from late April to early May. They are generally tolerant of a wide range of conditions but prefer well-drained soil.
Sunflowers: Sunflowers are warm-season plants and should be sown outdoors after the last frost date, typically in late April to early May in the PNW. They require full sun and warm soil to germinate and grow well.
Cosmos: Cosmos can be sown outdoors in the PNW from late April to early May, similar to sunflowers. They are warm-season annuals and do best in full sun with well-drained soil.
Always check your local frost dates and weather conditions as they can vary within the PNW region. These are general guidelines, and specific varieties or microclimates may require slight adjustments in planting times. Remember to water your newly sown seeds regularly and keep an eye on any emerging pests. With proper care and attention, your garden will thrive and bring you joy throughout the spring and summer months.
Happy gardening, fellow PNW plant enthusiasts! 🌿✨
