What to plant in April in Melbourne
Planting in April
Your beds should by now be prepared for autumn planting. Check the weather forecast as far ahead as possible and wait until after any very warm/hot weather to plant to avoid seedlings bolting. Autumn/winter vegetables thrive in cool air and cool soil. Water well if the temperature heats up to keep roots cool. Install dripline if possible to keep vegies well watered, especially cabbages and cauliflowers where the large leaves may prevent adequate water entering the soil.
Plant seeds in punnets
Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Florence fennel, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, onion family (excluding garlic), silverbeet, spinach
Plant seedlings into soil
Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Florence fennel, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, rocket, other salad greens, silverbeet, spinach
Plant seeds direct into the soil
Asian greens, beetroot, broad beans, carrot, daikon, mustard greens, parsnip, radish, rocket, turnip and herbs including coriander, chervil and dill
Plant garlic direct into the soil
Separate cloves from the garlic head and plant large outer cloves 15cm x 15cm apart at a depth that allows 2 – 3cm of soil coverage above the pointy tip. Plant with base down and pointy tip upward.
Watering
Water soil (not leaves) deeply at least twice per week and deeply for several days before any heat wave. (Rain less than 10mm per day does not count). Water cools the soil and therefore the roots of plants and will prevent bolting. Install dripline if possible.
Useful links
How much sun do my vegies need?
Preparing for an autumn/winter garden
Planting in punnets and soil preparation for direct sowing
Instructional video on how to use a pH kit
Written by Robin Gale-Baker