It may be April Fool's Day; but we aren't kidding. There are plenty of crops to sow and grow in April that can be used in salads and side dishes.

Live in Canada or New England? Get ready to start a vegetable garden this spring by growing these veggies and herbs:

• Carrots
• Tomatoes
• Eggplant
• Summer Squash (zucchini)
• Cucumber
• Onions
• Lettuce, spinach, arugula
• Garlic
• Beans
• Beets
• Potatoes
• Asparagus

Herbs to sow outside in April include:

• Cilantro 
• Parsley

Other herbs can sow indoors such as basil, fennel, rosemary, sage and thyme. 

Be sure to keep up with gardening tasks in April including pulling weeds and watering to insure healthy growing of all the plants; and of course, keep a close watch on wildlife that are sniffing around home gardens and keep them away with fencing, if necessary.