Monthly Guide to April's Fruits and Vegetables as Hosted by Monty
### Tender Vegetable Sowing in April: A Guide to Reducing Plastic Use
April is an ideal time to start sowing tender vegetables, as the last frosts are only a few weeks away. Monty Don, gardening expert and host of BBC's Gardeners' World, offers insightful tips on sowing tender vegetables while minimising plastic waste.
#### Choosing the Right Vegetables
Celery and sweet corn are among the tender vegetables that can be sown in April. While celery is traditionally started indoors between mid-March and early April, it's a good idea to consider starting it in late winter for an early start. Sweet corn seeds can be sown directly in late May or early June, but starting them earlier indoors can provide a head start. To minimise plastic use, opt for biodegradable pots or seed trays for these vegetables.
#### Preparing the Soil and Sowing
When sowing seeds indoors, use peat-free compost and fill biodegradable seed trays or pots. Place the trays in a warm spot with adequate light, ensuring the soil temperature is suitable for germination. Before sowing, harden off the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over a few days.
#### Transplanting
Once the risk of frost has passed, seedlings can be transplanted outdoors. To reduce plastic use, mulch around the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds, eliminating the need for plastic weed barriers.
#### Reducing Plastic Use Tips
By following these steps, you can enjoy a vibrant and sustainable garden while minimising plastic waste. Monty Don offers additional tips, such as using reusable irrigation systems, choosing non-plastic supports like bamboo sticks, and creating your own compost using kitchen scraps and garden waste.
In a Gardeners' World clip, Monty demonstrates these techniques while sowing tender vegetables, repotting mint, and laying out vegetable beds using bamboo canes and twine. He also emphasises the importance of considering the aspect and sun requirements of the plot when growing successful crops.
As always, it's advised to err on the side of caution when sowing vegetables outdoors in April due to the risk of frost overnight. By following Monty's advice and these plastic-reducing tips, you can create a thriving garden while contributing to a more sustainable environment.
In the process of sowing tender vegetables like celery and sweet corn in April, consider using biodegradable pots or seed trays to minimize plastic use, as suggested by Monty Don. After transplanting seedlings outdoors, opt for mulch instead of plastic weed barriers to maintain a sustainable garden.
