What to Plant in April | What to Grow Now!

What to grow NOW in April! This isn't your typical video of 'what to sow this month'. Instead, I've created an unmissable list of just 5 plants that I think you need in your garden to give you tasty food, flowers, and all-year-round interest, without you getting overwhelmed!
For 5% discount off your seed purchases from Seeds Ireland, click here: seedsireland.ie/niallgardens I get asked so often where I get my seeds from, or if I can recommend a source… All of Seeds Ireland’s seeds are certified organic and open pollinated and you're supporting independent Irish business. I’ve found their germination rates to be great and highly recommend them!
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// Watch this next! //
► This month's top Niall Gardens video picks:
• This Month's Top Video...
// Timestamps //
0:00 Intro
1:05 A Great Hungry Gap Plant
3:17 A Quick-and-Easy Crop
6:13 An Easy, Gorgeous Annual Flower
8:22 My 'Investment Piece' Plant
10:42 A Classic Must-Grow Edible
#gardening #irishgardener #irishgarden

[@niallgardens]

What do you think of my choices for this month? Leave a comment and tell me! ❤

[@LorraineG123]

As always great recommendations.

[@kildareire]

So happy I found this channel. No more Zone 9 dragonfruit videos! I also love how frugal/sensible the advice is. My budget is not bottomless!

[@niallgardens]

Awesome! Thank you! That's a lovely comment

[@beverleysimmons7885]

Love your garden. I direct sowed my snow peas. Hopefully they don’t drown. 3 days of rain🙄🇨🇦💝

[@niallgardens]

I hope so too! It's just been incredibly wet here too!

[@jasminedyck9913]

I get it! Gotta love Canada lol

[@bennu09]

I am subscribed to get all notifications from you and I enjoy every clip you post. Thank you very much for your quality information.

[@niallgardens]

Awesome, thank you!

[@GardenDiscovery]

Great vid as always ❤

[@niallgardens]

Thank you! 😁

[@lornapenn-chester6867]

Thank you!❤

[@niallgardens]

You're welcome 😊

[@denisecarvill4705]

Great advice. Thank you.

[@niallgardens]

Glad it was helpful!

[@meadows.simplicities]

Hi Niall 👋 Love the recommendations. Your garden looks incredibly amazing as always 😃 🌱

[@niallgardens]

Thanks very much! It's at that lovely point now where everything is really growing and looking vibrant

[@hazelmanship7516]

Hi Niall thanks for answering my question, horrid rain cold and windy here just now,take care happy gardening 😊xxx

[@niallgardens]

Same to you! Have a lovely week!

[@annmcdonald3275]

Planted my purple sprouting broccoli. Thanks for all the inyetesting information. Enjoyed your video, as always.

[@niallgardens]

Really chuffed that you enjoyed it Ann! Great that you've got the purple sprouting broccoli started 👍

[@Karincl7]

Love saxifraga it was one of my first plants for my new garden

[@niallgardens]

Ah super!

[@janewalster5613]

I sew a lot of flowers but just learning about veg from seed. Happy to get the new lettuce recommendations. Thanks!

[@niallgardens]

You are so welcome!

[@user-sd4kl9qc6o]

I love cosmos. I'm going to look for some of those salads too 🌱

[@niallgardens]

Thanks very much!

[@yvonned8326]

I adore saxifrage and finally bought one plant this year but I am going to buy some more. Stunning plants.

[@niallgardens]

Aren't they just a lovely little plant? I think they're so cute

[@lorainemcguire5795]

Hi Niall ❤ the video ive started purple sprouting broccoli so glad you pointed out how long it takes to grow i didn't realise it took so long but it will be worth it, i always look forward to your what to grow videos ❤

[@niallgardens]

Thanks Lorraine! ❤️ Yeah it's a bit of a slow burn and I'm not always organised enough each year - sometimes I forget to grow it early enough. Good luck with the sprouting broccoli!

[@SusanEdgely-vg4dp]

Niall. I enjoyed the video - as always. Sometimes - I watch them again - without sound. I find it very peaceful. ❤ from Boston.

[@niallgardens]

That's actually really lovely! I'm so pleased when I hear that people are loving the videos

[@bennu09]

April for me is more about transplating from growing pots in the ground, a lot of work when I always realize the plan I made in february and march was not quite right, I end up with extras for some and I lack of some. Starting from seeds in april is for watermelons and pumpkins for me, I am doing it in growing pots because the sprouting rate of these is very random.

[@niallgardens]

That's always the way and I certainly find the same thing. I'm at that exact stage - looking at what I have too much of, and too little of!

[@kelvinbrooks3785]

Niall, I love your channel, excellent advice, ideas but also a realistic look at gardening and not always being perfect, loved the Q and A video you did. I'm trying a wider range of flowers from seed this year, amongst them cosmos! Last year I tried 'terrain' a late pea variety which is heat and mildew resistant, managed to be harvesting pea pods into October

[@niallgardens]

Hi Kelvin! That's a really nice comment - thank you. Oooh I've never tried Terrain so I might have to give it a go if I can get hold of the seeds. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@donaldthomson9411]

I got a couple of saxifrages this year and they started flowering at the middle of February and are still on the go!

[@niallgardens]

Fantastic!! That's super!

[@scallywags12]

I had a perennial broccoli called Nine Star. Grew for 3 years and had white heads and sprouts in spring. This year deer got into my garden and ate it!😡 Good tasting. At least I have purple sprout broccoli as a back up.

[@niallgardens]

Oh yeah Nine Star is great! Such a shame that it was attacked my the deer - will you get some more?

[@scallywags12]

@@niallgardens No I still have seeds.

[@CSaville]

Another great video. I always really enjoy them and I think your choices are excellent. I've already got some Cosmos on the go but I'm off to see if I can find your recommendation as well. Just a bit of feedback...I followed your bulb Lasagne video earlier this year. I went all in and did five large pots and a half whisky barrel planter. The results have been absolutely spectacular and I have never received so many positive comments about anything else I've ever planted. Two of the pots are at the front door and even our rather dour postman was impressed with them. Definitely one to repeat every year now. Many thanks!

[@niallgardens]

That is such such great news about the bulb lasagne! I'm delighted that it worked for you and that you're happy with the results. Even better that you're getting compliments on it because that always feels great doesn't it?!

[@CSaville]

@@niallgardens It does Niall. All thanks to you to be honest. 😁

[@tammyb6497]

We are still apt to get more winter here in Alberta so I’ll just be planting some Sweet Pea seeds in a large container and getting some pansies from the local garden centre. It’s too risky to put anything else outside and I don’t have space to start seeds inside. I like your recommendations though and I’ll definitely check out Saxifrage. Thanks!

[@niallgardens]

Thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@honoregale856]

Would you believe (I’m sure you would!) I haven’t sown a single seed yet! I was on holiday last week, again next week. I only have a 6’ x 8’ cold greenhouse which I share with a mature vine, 4 propagators and shelving for seedlings. It can get pretty cosy in there when things start to take off! Last year I started sowing on the 20th April and everything caught up pretty quickly. It is still pretty cold here in NW England (Chester) and extremely wet. I’m longing to get going and there will be a sowing fest when I return from holiday. Love the videos, so lots of new ideas to be mulling over.

[@niallgardens]

Hi Honore! Oh I love a good seed-sowing fest! I don't blame you leaving it until now and like you say everything will catch up just perfectly!

[@hazelmanship7516]

Hi Niall,just caught up ,fab vlog as always ,loved your saxifrage, and your description of the pink, so very pretty, would this plant be ok on my rockery and in the border under conifer that doesn't get the sunshine? Lots to do just now,must get my cosmos seeds planted,I save them each year and they really do look super in the garden, the bees and butterflies love them,well take care happy gardening,bye till next time 😊🌼🌷🌹x

[@niallgardens]

Hi Hazel! Thanks for watching and I hope you're well. I think the saxifrage would be just fine actually in the spot you're describing. I'm the same as you - lots and lots to do, but it's so wet. So I'm hoping for a let-up in the rain so that I can get working on it!

[@dollygrice677]

Great suggestions. What is the big shrub in the background with the orange berries? Or flowers? It is a beauty. Thanks Niall.

[@niallgardens]

It's a Berberis and in fact I made a segment in last year's 'What to Grow in May' video here if you'd like to see it in detail kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5u9ZJ2DZ7aql80

[@katiemcdonald5988]

It's been a terrible, season so, far for wind. Im hoping it brightens up or the only thing we'll have abundance of are green leafy stuff.

[@niallgardens]

Too right! The amount of rainfall has just been out of this world!

[@donnamullins2089]

Thanks for the choices. I'm planting herbs and pollinators. Tomatoes, peppers and onions. Tomorrow will sow bush beans. I made a crazy pot or Tipsy Pot stand to plant my herbs. Take a length of rebar pipe and thread terracotta pots from large to small and they will naturally sit at and angle. Have a great week.

[@niallgardens]

Hi Donna! Oh I've seen that done but I've never done it myself - that sounds fabulous! Good on ya!!

[@donnamullins2089]

@@niallgardens It was fun, quick and easy.

[@niallgardens]

@@donnamullins2089 ...and I bet it looks superb!

[@LorraineG123]

Niall purple sprouting is my favourite veg ever,i swear,even my husband has banter over it,keeps saying have i any,( knowing i do in our garden and allotment) I love it,im always recommending it to everyone.. it's gorgeous raw, the leaves are edible too. The purple broccolli is gorgeous on homemade pizzas. The more you pick,the more sprouts. You can freeze it, and lighty use on a stirfry. Sorry went on,just its my best friend ha ha,raw is best. Great recommendations, Niall. Hope all is well with you and all the family.I only bought axifridge yesterday,B&Q had some reduced. They are beautiful

[@niallgardens]

Hi Lorraine! ❤️❤️ I think if you and I got chatting we'd go on about our fave plants forever! hahahaha! That's so cool that you got yourself a saxifrage too - I think they're so lovely

[@LorraineG123]

​@niallgardens only seeing this,tbh if we got together,there would be no going home ha ha.

[@wendy_grows]

Thanks for the video. What is the beautiful shrub with orange flowers behind you?

[@niallgardens]

It's a Berberis - the colour is fantastic isn't it?!

[@wendy_grows]

It’s amazing ❤

[@AshtonAdams-hf5om]

Hi Niall, is the shrub next to you in the intro Berberis? Looks great!

[@niallgardens]

Yes, it is! Good spot! I actually covered it last year in my 'What to Grow in April' video!

[@niallgardens]

Realised I gave you the wrong video suggestion - it's actually this video that the Berberis features in kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5u9ZJ2DZ7aql80

[@FortviewFarm]

Hiya Niall. Do you know what that large shrub with the orange flowers that you have in the background is called? I think we used to have it in our garden and the bees loved it. Ps I really enjoy your channel

[@niallgardens]

Sure! No problem - it's a Berberis. In case you're interested, I covered it in a video last year! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5u9ZJ2DZ7aql80

[@niallgardens]

Realised I gave you the wrong video suggestion - it's actually this video that the Berberis features in kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5u9ZJ2DZ7aql80

[@FortviewFarm]

Brilliant thanks

[@GaryMartin-wt6mn]

@niallgardens - Could you advise the best type of soil to use when planting the Saxifraga please. Are they good in the wind or should they be sheltered? Thanks

[@Karincl7]

Mine is verry low so wind isn t a problem

[@niallgardens]

Hey Gary! I'd say a slightly sheltered spot is the way to go and maybe add some grit to your soil if it's heavy, just to improve drainage a little. Hope this helps!

[@tomswinhoe2392]

How's the compost bin, do you get compost and how long does it take? I'm going to try and make one from your video, thanks

[@niallgardens]

It's going well! It depends on the temperature, but it can be as little as about 12 weeks!

[@tomswinhoe2392]

@@niallgardens that's good, thanks for replying

[@jeffreyrossi5084]

A little off topic here but what is the name of the tall shrub behind you in brilliant orange bloom? Yes, cosmos for some reason is a very comforting flower to have in the garden, especially the very plain ones.

[@niallgardens]

Oh yeah it's a Berberis! Actually, I think I had a little section about it in my 'What to Grow in April' last year! The colour is fantastic isn't it?!

[@niallgardens]

Realised I gave you the wrong video suggestion - it's actually this video that the Berberis features in kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5u9ZJ2DZ7aql80

[@absurdistsloth]

i adore saxifage, but mine has gone really tatty and leggy in the middle. it has still flowered mind you, but i’m not sure how to fix it so it looks like a nice green cushion again. cut back? divide? propagate from a cutting? 🤔

[@niallgardens]

Yeah as they mature they grow outwards and the centre dies away so you're left with a kind of doughnut shape. If it were me, I would lift and divide it into new small clumps 👍

[@absurdistsloth]

@@niallgardens thanks for the reply! I'll give it a go after it's finished flowering. 🌼

[@amiladybug9526]

I a;ways have cosmos in the garden

[@niallgardens]

Yeah it's a great choice

[@glow1815]

I love your channel, you're the only none Asian KZbinr grow broccoli and Bok Choy for stir-fry like us. I love broccoli and Bok Choy for stir-fry with beef or pork. Also you can stir-fry green tomatos as well with beef or hot and sour soups with Trouts👌throw some hot Chile delicious! No need to wait until it rip just for pasta sauce. Yes I'm new here😊

[@niallgardens]

Thanks so much! Oh yeah I'll always add tender stem broccoli, sprouting broccoli, or even Calabrese florets into my stir fries! Yum yum YUM!

[@makbruno1]

What is the orange flowering shrub/tree next to you when you started this video?

[@niallgardens]

Oh it's a Berberis!

[@makbruno1]

@@niallgardens thank you for the information. It's gorgeous and so is your garden.

[@niallgardens]

@@makbruno1 No problem - I actually covered in a video last year! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5u9ZJ2DZ7aql80

[@makbruno1]

@@niallgardens Thank you for the link, I'll see it right now. Here in the US, the common Barberry we have in the garden are generally bought for it's red foliage.

[@TanviKant]

Niall you made a mistake in the title of the video. 😅

[@niallgardens]

You are a legend! Thank you!

[@niallgardens]

Phew! Fixed!

[@stevieb6173]

why do you gardeners always seem to have phenominal planting areas , raised beds , lovely greenhouses ,,, very amateur , I'm sure,,,, I can hear you all now ,,,, oh he's very negative isnt he ,, cancel him ,,, the truth is thers though

[@niallgardens]

Well I think the answer to that is fairly obvious. Gardeners have nice gardens because it's their hobby, or their passion 😂