5 Garden Herbs to Plant in April

In addition to the satisfaction of cheating the seasons, these herbs make for frugal gardening, since you can start them from seeds rather than buying transplants. Here are five recommended herbs that are ideal for planting outdoors from seeds in early spring.

Here is a list of herbs you can grow in April.

• Basil
• Chives
• Coriander
• Dill
• Parsley

Basil

As much as you hear about basil loving the heat (which is very true), it may surprise you that basil does best if started as seeds indoors (6 to 8 weeks before the last frost) and then transplanted outside when the weather permits. In fall, you can take root cuttings and transplant them into indoor pots and continue growing the herb through the winter. Basil will grow best in a location that gets 6 to 8 hours of full sun daily, though it can perform well in partial sun, too. Soil should be moist but well-drained. Basil works great in containers or raised beds, as these allow for better drainage. Basil is normally grown as an annual in USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11.

Chives

Chives are considered a cool-season crop, which means that they grow best in the spring and fall. The harsher temperatures of summer usually cause them to go dormant until cool weather arrives again. For a head start in colder regions, start chive seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost.

Chives will grow perfectly well in a position in full sun or in partial shade. They grow best in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Dig in plenty of organic matter – such as garden compost, well-rotted manure, or other soil improvers – especially in very well-drained sandy soils to hold moisture.

Coriander

Coriander herb can be grown indoors under a wide range of climatic conditions. However, hot weather during the summer months like (April and May) causes coriander to bolt quickly and reduces foliage development. A coriander crop will mature in 40 to 45 days. It is often used as a rotation crop.

Grow coriander in moist but well-drained soil or compost from spring to autumn. For a successful harvest throughout summer, sow seeds every two weeks. Water coriander plants regularly and harvests when you need to.

Dill

Who doesn’t love dill? It grows lightning fast in the cool spring soil and offers a bright sunny flavor for your dishes. Plant it outdoors when the danger of frost has passed. Plant the dill when soil temperature should be between 60 and 70ºF (15 and 21°C) for the best germination results. Seedlings should appear in 10 to 14 days. Plant dill every couple of weeks until mid-summer to ensure a constant supply into fall.

Dill grown outside matures about 90 days after seeding. Although the leaves can be harvested as soon as they are big enough to use, they contain the most flavors if picked before flowering begins. Clip them close to the stem in the early morning or late evening. Once the flowers form, they will bloom and seed.

Parsley

If you sow indoors now, you can plant out in April. Take care to keep the soil moist, but not sodden, until the seedlings peek out. Parsley likes to grow long and plentiful roots. If you want healthy plants from which you can pick all summer, you must give them space to roam.

Parsley does well in both full-sun and part-sun environments. If you're planting parsley indoors, be sure to grow it near a sunny window. Water: Although parsley grows its best in moist soil, it is relatively drought-tolerant.