February 28, 2026

What to Plant in April by Zone

April is the month when most of America goes from "thinking about gardening" to "actually gardening." Frost risk is dropping, soil is warming, and garden centers are fully stocked. But April is also the month where zone matters most — zone 4 is still frozen while zone 8 is harvesting spring crops.

Zones 3-4: Cool-season crops go outside

Your last frost is still a month or more away, but the ground is finally workable in April.

TaskDetails
Direct sow outdoorsPeas (early April), spinach, lettuce, radishes, kale, onion sets, potatoes
Continue indoorsTomatoes and peppers should be growing under lights. Pot up if needed.
Start indoors (late April)Cucumbers, squash, melons — 3-4 weeks before late May transplant

The soil might still be cold in early April for zones 3-4. Peas don't care — they germinate in soil as cold as 40°F. But hold off on carrots and beets until the soil hits 50°F. For more details, see our guide on Spring vegetable garden planting schedule.

Zone 5: The transition month

TaskDetails
Direct sow (early April)Peas, lettuce, spinach, kale, radishes, carrots, beets, Swiss chard
Transplant outdoors (mid-April)Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage — with row cover for frost protection
Continue indoorsTomatoes under lights. Begin hardening off in late April.
PlantPotatoes (early-mid April), onion sets, asparagus crowns

Zone 5 gardeners can be aggressive with cool-season crops in April. These plants handle frost, and a hard freeze only sets them back temporarily. The bigger risk is waiting too long — lettuce and peas need to mature before summer heat arrives. For more details, see our guide on Best vegetables to plant in spring.

Zone 6: Everything at once

April in zone 6 is the most action-packed month of the year.

TaskDetails
Transplant outdoors (after last frost ~April 15)Tomatoes, peppers (late April for 6b; early May for 6a)
Direct sowBeans (after last frost), corn (soil 60°F+), carrots, beets, lettuce, squash (late April)
Already growingPeas, spinach, radishes planted in March should be up and growing
Harden offMove all indoor seedlings through hardening off process mid-to-late April

Zone 7: Warm-season crops take over

TaskDetails
Transplant outdoorsTomatoes (if not already in), peppers, eggplant
Direct sowBeans (all types), corn, squash, cucumbers, melons, okra
Succession plantLettuce (in afternoon shade), radishes, carrots
Wind downCool-season crops (broccoli, peas) finishing up as temps rise

Zone 7 in April is a relay race — cool-season crops are finishing while warm-season crops are starting. Plan beds so you can pull spent peas and plant beans in the same space.

Zone 8: Already harvesting

TaskDetails
HarvestingSpring lettuce, peas, broccoli, cauliflower — eat them now before they bolt
Growing strongTomatoes, peppers, beans, corn — all should be in the ground already
Direct sowOkra, southern peas (cowpeas), watermelon, cantaloupe, sweet potato slips
Prepare for heatInstall shade cloth on tomato frames. Mulch everything heavily.

Zone 9: Heat prep

TaskDetails
HarvestingTomatoes producing. Lettuce and cool-season crops are done or bolting.
PlantOkra, sweet potatoes, southern peas, hot peppers (if not already in)
ProtectAdd shade cloth. Deep water. Mulch 4-6 inches.

April mistakes to avoid

  1. Planting warm-season crops too early in cold zones: Tomatoes in 40°F soil don't grow — they just sit and sulk. Wait for soil warmth, not just warm air.
  2. Ignoring succession planting: One big planting of lettuce gives you one big harvest. Plant a row every two weeks for continuous salads.
  3. Forgetting about pests: April brings flea beetles, cutworms, and aphids. Row cover prevents most problems if applied at planting.
  4. Not hardening off transplants: Every year, someone goes straight from grow lights to garden and loses their seedlings. Take the 7-10 days. It matters.

The planting calendar tool generates a complete April task list based on your zip code. For broader planning, the March planting guide covers what should already be in motion.

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