1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:04,480 Welcome to Gardening with Ben, the podcast where we dig into the soil of 2 00:00:04,519 --> 00:00:09,160 our gardens and the depths of our green funds. I'm your host, Ben, 3 00:00:09,359 --> 00:00:12,839 here to guide you through the joints of gardening, from sowing seeds to 4 00:00:12,919 --> 00:00:18,280 reaping bountiful harvests. Each episode will explore tips, tricks, and tales from 5 00:00:18,320 --> 00:00:24,800 the garden and allotment, sharing insights from ourself and stories from our own back 6 00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:29,719 garden adventures. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just getting your hands dirty for 7 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:33,960 the first time, there's something here for everyone, So grab your brew and 8 00:00:34,039 --> 00:00:40,079 gardening gloves and let's get growing with Gardening with Ben. Hello everyone, and 9 00:00:40,119 --> 00:00:45,280 welcome back to a brand new episode of Gardening with Ben Well. In today's 10 00:00:45,320 --> 00:00:50,320 episode, we're going to continue from yesterday's episode. Yesterday's episode was talking about 11 00:00:50,719 --> 00:00:53,799 all the jobs which needed doing in the garden and the allotment, So if 12 00:00:53,840 --> 00:00:57,039 you've not listened to that episode, make sure you go back and give that 13 00:00:57,079 --> 00:01:00,759 one to listen to, as that is important. Of all the jobs which 14 00:01:00,840 --> 00:01:04,400 need doing down in the garden and in the allotment, well, what needs 15 00:01:04,599 --> 00:01:10,680 doing? What's this episode about? This episode is about all the things that 16 00:01:10,719 --> 00:01:14,640 we can start to plant in the garden and the allotment in April. And 17 00:01:14,719 --> 00:01:18,840 as I've said previously, obviously, now it's started to get warmer, we 18 00:01:18,879 --> 00:01:23,400 can plant more and more stuff, so the list of things gets bigger and 19 00:01:23,439 --> 00:01:27,120 bigger. But hopefully you have got a lot of these started already, which 20 00:01:27,159 --> 00:01:30,280 we could have started in March. But yeah, a lot of these you 21 00:01:30,359 --> 00:01:34,319 can now start in April as well, now that it's getting warmer, and 22 00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:40,040 some stuff you can actually start outside straight in the ground because it's a lot 23 00:01:40,120 --> 00:01:44,920 warmer. But I tend to start stuff off still indoors because I wait until 24 00:01:44,959 --> 00:01:49,519 about maybe before I start planting stuff out personally into the ground with some stuff, 25 00:01:51,079 --> 00:01:53,879 and yeah, I'd rather grow it in the shed in the greenhouse, 26 00:01:53,319 --> 00:01:57,439 just to make sure that I know it does germinate and that it doesn't get 27 00:01:57,480 --> 00:02:01,120 strangled by other weeds and stuff like that. So that is one of the 28 00:02:01,159 --> 00:02:06,159 reasons why I start a lot of stuff off in my shed. But yeah, 29 00:02:06,359 --> 00:02:09,439 here are the things that we can start to grow in April. We'll 30 00:02:09,439 --> 00:02:14,719 start off with vegetables first. Obviously we're going to be talking about vegetables through 31 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:22,039 and flowers. So the vegetables that we can start off this month are or 32 00:02:22,479 --> 00:02:28,840 continue growing aubergines. If you've started growing aubergines, which is around January February 33 00:02:28,879 --> 00:02:32,759 time, you can start potting these up. Now. It probably is too 34 00:02:32,840 --> 00:02:37,719 late to start aubergines off. If you wanted to grow some, you're best 35 00:02:37,759 --> 00:02:44,960 off buying some from the garden center plant as it's probably too late to start 36 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:49,560 growing aubergine from seed now. So if you've started some off, start potting 37 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:53,639 up your seedlings, being careful not to damage the plant. Beetroot. You 38 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:58,719 can either sew beat root in trays or directly in the ground in April, 39 00:02:59,159 --> 00:03:05,639 as the weather is getting warmer now broad beans These can be sewn directly straight 40 00:03:05,680 --> 00:03:08,319 into the ground at this time of year. Make sure they are protected. 41 00:03:08,400 --> 00:03:14,080 Vote against mice and birds, as the mice will come along and eat them. 42 00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:17,599 All. Broccoli this is so expensive in shops, so why not try 43 00:03:17,639 --> 00:03:23,319 growing your own. All you do is snip off some when it's ready and 44 00:03:23,759 --> 00:03:28,000 let the rest grow. So try to growing some broccoli. Now is the 45 00:03:28,319 --> 00:03:32,199 time to start sewing all them broccoli seeds cabbatures. Now is the time to 46 00:03:32,240 --> 00:03:40,280 sew summer and autumn cabbage seeds. Cauliflower Again, it's now time to start 47 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:46,000 sewing cauliflowers, why not try to grow some purple cauliflower like I have done 48 00:03:46,039 --> 00:03:52,280 in the past, which I've had some amazing results from. Cause Yet now 49 00:03:52,319 --> 00:03:57,360 it's time to be sewing these this month in the greenhouse and getting those going 50 00:03:58,599 --> 00:04:01,439 cucumbers. If you've not sown cucumbers, yeah, now is the time to 51 00:04:01,479 --> 00:04:05,479 get them planted. The longer they have to grow, the better harvest you'll 52 00:04:05,479 --> 00:04:10,560 get. So if you want them to grow some fantastic cucumbers, get growing 53 00:04:10,639 --> 00:04:15,079 from this month. And the variety which I recommend what I usually grow is 54 00:04:15,279 --> 00:04:24,040 the market more variety of cucumber French beans. You can start sow these directly 55 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:29,360 in the ground this month that has been in prepared soil. Again, just 56 00:04:29,399 --> 00:04:33,560 protect them from mice and rats because they will come and nibble and also pigeons. 57 00:04:34,199 --> 00:04:39,279 Pigeons do love to come and eat the tops off them. So next 58 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:45,839 up is globe artichokes andre Rusalem after choke. I've never tried growing globe after 59 00:04:45,920 --> 00:04:50,759 choke before, or Jerusalem artichoke. Globe artitude choke are obviously in a globe 60 00:04:50,759 --> 00:04:57,160 shape, but Jerusalem artichoke, you need to start planting them from tubers and 61 00:04:57,480 --> 00:05:01,680 this will produce great results next year, not this year. Next year. 62 00:05:01,759 --> 00:05:05,319 So if you're wanting to grow some Jerusalem multitude, plant some tubers this month 63 00:05:05,759 --> 00:05:13,480 for great results next year. Kale have grown great kale before and it will 64 00:05:13,519 --> 00:05:18,279 continue growing all the way up to November December, and you can just snip 65 00:05:18,319 --> 00:05:21,279 it off as and when you need them. So if you're wanting to grow 66 00:05:21,319 --> 00:05:27,000 some kale, sow the seeds in pots, then transplant outdoors when they are 67 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:30,519 big enough. Snip off as much as you want when it's ready for your 68 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:34,199 Sunday dinners. Leaks. If you've not sown your leaks, this is the 69 00:05:34,319 --> 00:05:39,839 last month to get them sewn for good harvest and big fat leaks at the 70 00:05:39,879 --> 00:05:42,920 end of the year. So if you're wanting to grow some leaks, this 71 00:05:43,199 --> 00:05:47,759 is the last month to get them sewn. Let us start some lettuce off 72 00:05:47,759 --> 00:05:54,000 this month. Make sure you only sew a fewver as they will all often 73 00:05:54,120 --> 00:05:58,600 germinate and get clumped together in a seed train. Just start a few off, 74 00:05:58,759 --> 00:06:01,959 and yeah, don't the whole packet off for lettuce. Just to sprinkle 75 00:06:01,959 --> 00:06:08,720 a few seeds and you will get some great crops. Marrows like corshats. 76 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:12,680 Marrows can be planted this month. Why not try and see how big you 77 00:06:12,759 --> 00:06:17,360 can grow a marrow. Onions. If you're growing onions from sets, this 78 00:06:17,399 --> 00:06:21,759 is the month to plant them. Make sure the ground is prepared. Also 79 00:06:23,079 --> 00:06:27,720 net them as birds like to pull them up and eat the tops off them. 80 00:06:27,759 --> 00:06:30,079 Parsnips, now, I need to get some parsnips in. These can 81 00:06:30,120 --> 00:06:34,120 be sewn straight into the ground. Now, you don't pull these up vertil 82 00:06:34,319 --> 00:06:39,560 after the first frost of the year, as that gives them the flavor. 83 00:06:39,839 --> 00:06:44,279 So you won't be looking at pulling your parsnips up till November. So think 84 00:06:44,319 --> 00:06:47,879 of a space that you won't be able to use until November time and sew 85 00:06:47,959 --> 00:06:57,120 them there. Pease, start sewing these directly into the ground and they will 86 00:06:57,360 --> 00:07:00,759 never make it home. Trust me, you'll be eating them at the allotment 87 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:02,800 before you even get them moment. You'll be shelling them and eating them down 88 00:07:02,839 --> 00:07:05,879 at the plot. I always do. I just pick them and eat them 89 00:07:06,199 --> 00:07:12,519 raw from the plant. Peppers. Start potting up your pepper seedlings this month. 90 00:07:13,399 --> 00:07:16,879 Potatoes. This is a month you can plant out your potatoes in the 91 00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:21,519 ground. Did you know you don't have to dig a trough. For many 92 00:07:21,759 --> 00:07:27,600 use bull planters to use to make the whole. Rather than dig a massive 93 00:07:27,639 --> 00:07:31,319 trough, Just use a long buld planter and plant them that way. It 94 00:07:31,360 --> 00:07:39,279 saves so much hard work and backbreaking. Pumpkins. Start throwing pumpkin seeds this 95 00:07:39,399 --> 00:07:44,000 month. Have a little competition and see who can grow the biggest pumpkin. 96 00:07:44,439 --> 00:07:46,120 The question is will you be able to move it once you've grown it? 97 00:07:46,160 --> 00:07:55,519 Though radish keep saying radish seeds for continuous harvests throughout the year. Radish is 98 00:07:55,600 --> 00:08:01,839 one of the fastest growing vegetables and yeah it mads great. Really. Runner 99 00:08:01,879 --> 00:08:03,839 beans, I were talking about this in my other episode. This is the 100 00:08:03,839 --> 00:08:07,680 month to sew your runner beans. Sometimes it's best to sew them in pots 101 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:13,120 first in the greenhouse so that the mice don't pinch the seeds and the birds 102 00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:18,399 can't eat the tops off the shoots. Spring onion. Continue to sew spring 103 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:24,040 onion this month for your harvest for your salads. Now spring onions. A 104 00:08:24,079 --> 00:08:28,120 lot of people get mistaken and they tend to plant them in lines. What 105 00:08:28,199 --> 00:08:31,399 you can do with spring onions is just plant them in bunches and they will 106 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:37,360 be fine. So like, start growing them off in seed cells, and 107 00:08:37,840 --> 00:08:43,159 rather than divide them all, just plant the seed cell all together and let 108 00:08:43,200 --> 00:08:46,759 it be a bunch. That's how you grow spring onions. You don't grow 109 00:08:46,279 --> 00:08:52,039 individually in lines. You grow them in bunches and you get better crops from 110 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:56,759 them. Squash like pumpkins, these can be sewn this month. They take 111 00:08:56,799 --> 00:09:01,159 a long time to grow, so start your seeds off now in the greenhouse. 112 00:09:01,879 --> 00:09:05,519 Swede these can be sewn straight into the ground this month. They'll need 113 00:09:05,679 --> 00:09:11,399 finning out when the plants are big enough. Sweet Corn. If you've not 114 00:09:11,559 --> 00:09:16,759 tried growing sweet corn before, you are certainly missing out some sweet corn kernels 115 00:09:16,919 --> 00:09:22,720 this month in pots in the greenhouse, and you will be harvesting your sweet 116 00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:30,240 corn around September time, and trust me, it tastes absolutely fantastic. Tomatoes. 117 00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:35,440 Start sewing your tomatoes if you've not sown them, but start potting them 118 00:09:35,480 --> 00:09:39,000 up as well. You should have actually started them off like around March time. 119 00:09:39,399 --> 00:09:43,039 I started mine off around March, so hopefully they'll start shooting through the 120 00:09:43,039 --> 00:09:48,639 soil so they're not germinating yet. Hopefully they do, and hopefully we can 121 00:09:48,679 --> 00:09:52,799 start potting them up this month. But be careful not to damage the plants, 122 00:09:54,759 --> 00:09:58,559 fruit trees and fruit bushers. So what can we do with fruit trees 123 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:05,000 and food bushers this month? Blackberries. You still have time to plant blackberricanes, 124 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:07,519 but make sure you plant them somewhere where you can support them. The 125 00:10:07,559 --> 00:10:11,840 best place to plant a BlackBerry is down the side of an allotment or garden 126 00:10:13,159 --> 00:10:16,360 so that you can trail it down the fence or down the hedges at the 127 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:20,840 side. Fruit trees. It's too late to plant bear rooted fruit trees. 128 00:10:20,360 --> 00:10:24,840 You can still pot up pot fruit trees, but yeah, don't be planting 129 00:10:24,879 --> 00:10:31,080 fruit trees this month. Melons. If the weather is warm and sunny and 130 00:10:31,120 --> 00:10:35,159 you have a greenhouse or pond tunnel, you could try growing melons. I'm 131 00:10:35,159 --> 00:10:39,559 growing some this year, so some seed this month in a greenhouse or a 132 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:43,960 heated propagator. Raspberries. If you've not planted any raspberri kanes yet, you're 133 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:48,360 still chance to get them planted. Be careful where you plant them, for 134 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:52,279 as the due spread like weeds, and the roots go everywhere and they'll be 135 00:10:52,279 --> 00:10:58,559 popping up everywhere, between paths, between everywhere that they can creep through. 136 00:10:58,960 --> 00:11:03,279 So do watch out when planting Rasper's strawberries. Why not try growing some strawberry 137 00:11:03,320 --> 00:11:09,519 seeds this month? They will through next year if you start growing strawberry seeds 138 00:11:09,720 --> 00:11:16,759 this month. What flowers can be planted this month? So the flowers that 139 00:11:16,799 --> 00:11:20,559 can be planted this month are lilies. These can still be planted in pots 140 00:11:20,559 --> 00:11:26,039 for this month for fantastic blooms and fragrance in the garden. Marigolds is so 141 00:11:26,080 --> 00:11:31,080 easy to grow. Sow some seeds in a greenhouse this month for amazing color 142 00:11:31,159 --> 00:11:37,200 in the summer. Mustatiums plant these out in the garden this month. Make 143 00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:41,639 sure you plant them in poor soil rather than rich soil, as that is 144 00:11:41,679 --> 00:11:46,159 the soil that they prefer. Petunias, why not have some amazing hanging baskets 145 00:11:46,200 --> 00:11:52,639 in the garden this year, and so your petunia seeds for fantastic blooms. 146 00:11:52,519 --> 00:11:56,679 Now, this is the one that I am definitely growing some flowers. It's 147 00:11:56,720 --> 00:12:01,320 always great to have some fun in the garden. So why not see who 148 00:12:01,360 --> 00:12:05,919 can grow the tallest sunflower? So these impots in the greenhouse this month and 149 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:13,759 see who can grow the biggest sunflower on the allotment or garden. So that 150 00:12:13,919 --> 00:12:16,600 is everything that you can sew this month in April. As you know, 151 00:12:18,039 --> 00:12:20,679 there's a lot of stuff that can be sown. But yeah, I'm excited. 152 00:12:20,759 --> 00:12:24,600 I'm excited for this year. We've got so much growing and so much 153 00:12:24,639 --> 00:12:28,960 going on down at our allotment that is going to look absolutely amazing and hopefully 154 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:33,799 get lots and lots of flowers growing. So make sure you stay tuned, 155 00:12:33,919 --> 00:12:37,320 follow my Instagram and my TikTok to keep up to date with all my pictures 156 00:12:37,360 --> 00:12:43,759 and all my socials. And until next time, remember keep smiling, keep 157 00:12:43,799 --> 00:12:48,720 shining, and keep gardening with Ben. Everyone, And that wraps up another 158 00:12:48,879 --> 00:12:54,200 episode of Gardening with Ben. Thank you for joining me in this journey. 159 00:12:54,759 --> 00:13:00,639 Remember, every seed planted is a step towards a greener world, and every 160 00:13:00,759 --> 00:13:05,159 day is a chance to grow something beautiful. Keep nurturing your gardens and your 161 00:13:05,279 --> 00:13:11,399 souls. Until next time, I'm Gardening with Ben reminding you to let your 162 00:13:11,440 --> 00:13:16,600 garden be your sanctuary. Happy gardening, and see you in the next episode. 163 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:22,399 Remember, keep smiling, keep shining, and keep gardening with Ben.