Gardening in April in Ireland | What To Do

What to Sow in April

April is peak sowing time across Ireland. Direct sow carrots, parsnips, beetroot, turnips, radishes, peas, French beans and chard outdoors. Sow sweetcorn, courgettes, squash and pumpkins indoors for planting out next month. Continue successional sowings of lettuce, spinach, rocket and spring onions every two to three weeks. Sow runner beans and French beans in pots for transplanting. Herbs including basil, dill, coriander, parsley and chervil can be sown on windowsills or in a greenhouse. Annual flowers such as cosmos, zinnias, sunflowers and marigolds should be sown now for summer displays.

What to Plant in April

Plant main crop and second early potatoes. Set out young brassica plants including cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and kale under netting to protect from pigeons and cabbage white butterflies. Plant out sweet pea seedlings. Hardy annual bedding plants can go into borders and containers. Plant evergreen shrubs and hedging plants. Divide hostas, ornamental grasses and herbaceous perennials. Plant dahlia tubers in pots under cover for a head start. Strawberry plants can still be planted for a summer crop. Pot on tomato and pepper seedlings growing indoors into larger containers.

What to Harvest in April

Spring cabbage and cauliflower are ready in forward areas. Asparagus spears begin emerging from established beds — start cutting when spears reach 15-20cm. Rhubarb is in full production. Spring onions, radishes and early lettuce from March sowings are ready. Herbs such as chives, mint and parsley provide fresh pickings. Purple sprouting broccoli continues. The first outdoor salads from direct-sown lettuce and rocket become available from mid-April in sheltered gardens.

Lawn Care in April

April is the ideal month for lawn renovation in Ireland. Mow regularly on a medium setting as growth accelerates. Apply spring feed if not done in March. Overseed thin areas and new lawn areas. Treat weeds with selective weedkiller or hand-weed regularly. The combination of April showers and warming soil creates perfect conditions for grass growth. Begin regular mowing — once a week is sufficient in April, increasing to twice weekly as growth picks up. Lay turf for instant results. Treat any remaining moss patches.

General Garden Tasks for April

Harden off tender seedlings before planting out — place them outside during the day and bring in at night for at least a week. Tie in climbing and rambling roses. Stake tall-growing perennials like delphiniums, peonies and dahlias before they get too tall. Watch for late frosts and protect tender plants with fleece overnight. Start regular feeding of container plants. Check all plants for aphid infestations — blast them off with water or use organic soap spray. Earth up potato shoots as they emerge. Net fruit bushes and brassicas against birds. Deadhead spring bulbs but leave foliage intact.

Ireland-Specific Tips for April

April in Ireland brings the classic 'April showers' but also increasingly warm, sunny spells. Average temperatures range from 7-12°C, with southern and coastal areas enjoying the warmest conditions. Late frosts remain a real risk until mid-May in most of Ireland, so don't be tempted to plant out tender crops too early. The west coast of Ireland receives the most rainfall in April, while the east coast and Midlands tend to be drier. The soil continues to warm steadily, and by late April conditions are suitable for most outdoor sowing. The countryside comes alive with wildflowers including primroses, bluebells and wild garlic.

Frequently Asked Questions

In most of Ireland, it is too early to plant frost-tender bedding plants outdoors in April. Wait until after the last frost risk has passed, typically mid to late May, before planting out tender annuals like petunias, impatiens, geraniums and begonias. Hardy bedding plants such as pansies, violas, primulas and wallflowers can be planted out safely throughout April. If you want an early display, choose hardy varieties or use fleece protection on cold nights. Hardening off is essential — gradually acclimatise indoor-raised plants to outdoor conditions over seven to ten days.

April is excellent for sowing a wide range of vegetables in Ireland. Direct sow carrots, beetroot, parsnips, peas, radishes, turnips, chard and spring onions outdoors. Start courgettes, sweetcorn, runner beans and French beans indoors for transplanting in May. Plant second early and maincrop potatoes. Set out brassica seedlings under netting. Successional sowing of lettuce and salad leaves every two to three weeks ensures continuous harvests. The key to success in April is watching the weather and protecting early sowings from late frosts with fleece or cloches.

In April, mow your Irish lawn once a week on a medium to high setting. As temperatures rise and daylight increases, grass growth accelerates rapidly. Set the mower blade to about 3-4cm for most lawn types. Mow when the grass is dry to avoid tearing and clumping. Never remove more than one-third of the blade height in a single cut. If the grass has grown very long after winter neglect, reduce the height gradually over several cuts rather than scalping it in one go. Start edging borders for a neat finish.

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What To Do In Your Irish Garden In April