April is the perfect month for the vegetable garden: the temperatures soften, the days stretch and the soil, finally awakened, welcomes seeds and transplants with enthusiasm. But what are the right vegetables to sow just now?
When it comes to vegetable garden in springApril represents that magical moment in which everything seems possible. The frost is now behind (almost always), the sun warms without burning and the seedlings begin to grow faster. Not surprisingly, we tend to consider this month the beating heart of the horticultural season, where the hands sink into the earth with a mixture of hope and design.
It is interesting to note how, despite the euphoria, it serves a minimum of organization In order not to be short of space or with too close sowing. It is true: the desire to sow everything is great, but attention must be paid to times, temperatures and rotations. Because each vegetable has its ideal time and push it out of season can create more damage than collected.
What to sow in April in the garden: space for variety and fantasy
April is among the most generous months for those who cultivate: practically you can sow almost everything. But for this reason it is easy to get lost in the seed sachets and end up exaggerating. In the ground it is the right time to sow zuchinis, cutting, carrots, radish, peas, chard, spinach e parsley. Also the watermelon he is melons They begin to find fertile ground, especially in the most mild areas.
I tomatoesi peppers and the eggplanton the other hand, still require some more attention. Better to continue with the seedbed, if you live in the north, or proceed with the transplant in the central-southern areas where the risk of frost is now remote. A small digression: it is curious how these crops, so loved by everyone, are also among the most demanding and delicate.
For those who love to experiment, April is also perfect for planting ceci, onions., valerianella e rape. There are also aromas: basil, oregano, timo e marjoram They can start their path in the seedbed or directly in the ground, depending on the local climate.
One thing on which it never reflects enough is space. Not only the available one, but also the distance between the rows and between one plant and another. A too dense sowing takes air and light, promotes diseases and penalizes growth. Better less, but better distributed.
The works of the garden in April: not just sowing
Those who think that the April garden is only sowing is wrong. It’s time for Prepare the soil wellto do the first transplants and above all to devote oneself to backgrounds, sarchiature e fertilization. The earth should oxygenate, freed from the infestants and, where it serves, enriched with humus or organic fertilizer.
Here are some activities not to be overlooked:
- Ally: accumulate earth around the collar of plants to protect and support them
- Sarchiare: Delete the weeds between the files and break the surface crust
- Zippe slightly: improves the soil structure and reduces evaporation
- Pacciamare: useful for vegetables such as cucumbers and watermelons, limits the weeds and maintains humidity
Plants support must also be prepared. Tomatoes, beans and peas need guardian o rarely already from the first growth. Better to do it before the plant grows too much: avoid damaging the roots afterwards is increasingly complicated.
Finally, a hint to the Protection from parasites. With the most mild temperatures, unwanted guests also return, such as aphids. Natural solutions, from nettle macerate all’Neem oilare often enough if used constantly and without waiting for the problem to explode.
Lunar sowing and phases: belief or practical guide?
It is believed that the crescent moon favors the development of the aerial part of the plants, while the moon moon stimulate the growth of the roots. Even if scientific evidence is missing, many people still follow this calendar to organize sowing.
In the growing moon there are therefore vegetables like tomatoes, beans, eggplant, zuchinis e basilwhile in the falling moon they are privileged onions., carrots, potatoes, beetroot e fennel.
True or not, following the moon offers a rhythm, a cyclicity that helps not to forget that nature has its times. And perhaps this is precisely the secret of those who cultivate with passion: to let themselves be guided, without haste.
The April garden It is not just a set of work to do, it is a promise. Of growth, harvest and, why not, also of tranquility. Because there is something deeply reassuring in seeing a sprout sprout where there was only a few weeks before there was only naked land.
And then this is precisely the time to go out, hoe in hand, and start the green season of the year.
Photo © Stock.adobe
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