April is that sweet spot when winter finally chills out and your garden wakes up hungry. Plant the right seeds now and you’ll stack your summer with tomatoes, greens, and herbs like a pro. Not sure what actually works in your area? Let’s zero in by climate zone so you stop guessing and start growing, ASAP.
You’ll find exact crops to sow, timing tips, and little cheats that make a big difference. Ready to plant smarter, not harder? Let’s dig in—literally.
1. Arctic To Cool-Temperate Zones (USDA Zones 1–5): Beat The Frost, Win The Season
Cold nights still bite here, but that doesn’t mean you sit on your hands. April is prime for cool-season champs that laugh at a little frost. Think leafy greens, crunchy roots, and hardy herbs that thrive while the soil warms up.
What To Sow Now
- Direct sow: peas (snap, shelling), spinach, arugula, lettuce mixes, kale, Swiss chard, radishes, beets, carrots, turnips, mizuna, pak choi, mustard greens
- Transplant (under cover if needed): broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, onions, shallots
- Herbs: cilantro, dill, chives, parsley (slow to germinate but worth it)
Timing & Protection Tips
- Soil matters: Wait until soil hits ~40–45°F for peas and spinach; 50°F for carrots and beets.
- Warm a bed fast: Lay down clear plastic or a low tunnel a week before sowing to nudge soil temps up.
- Start indoors: Begin tomatoes, peppers, eggplants under lights now; don’t rush them outside.
- Frost insurance: Keep row cover handy. A quick drape saves a crop from an icy surprise.
Result? Salad bowls on repeat, crunchy snacks from the garden, and a smug grin every time it freezes and your beds still look great.
2. Mild-Temperate Zones (USDA Zones 6–7): The April Jackpot For Greens And Early Fruit
Congrats—you can do a little of everything in April. Your ground warms early enough for aggressive succession sowing, and frost windows shrink fast. Translation: serious harvest potential if you stagger your plantings.
What To Sow Now
- Direct sow: lettuce blends, arugula, spinach, radishes, carrots, beets, scallions, potatoes, peas, dill, cilantro
- Direct or transplant: kale, chard, broccoli raab, napa cabbage, pak choi
- Late-April (after last frost or under cover): bush beans, sweet corn, zucchini, cucumbers
- Transplant indoors-to-out: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onions, leeks
Smart Sequencing
- Succession every 2 weeks: sow radishes, lettuces, and scallions in small batches to avoid feast-or-famine.
- Pea trick: Inoculate peas with rhizobia for better yields; trellis immediately so they don’t flop.
- Beans and cukes: If frost lingers, tuck seeds under a low tunnel. You’ll gain 2–3 weeks on your neighbors, FYI.
You’ll ride a wave of salads into early summer, then slide straight into beans and cukes without missing a beat. That’s the good stuff.
3. Warm-Temperate Zones (USDA Zones 8–9): Summer Crops On Deck, Cool Crops On Last Call
Heat ramps up fast here, so April becomes the handoff from cool crops to your summer superstars. You can still sneak in greens, but move quick. Meanwhile, tomatoes and friends want their VIP treatment now.
What To Sow Now
- Direct sow: bush and pole beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, zucchini, yellow squash, okra (late April), melons (if soil 70°F+)
- Transplant: tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil
- Last call cool crops: arugula, lettuce, radishes—choose bolt-resistant varieties
- Herbs: basil, dill, Thai basil, shiso; start perennial herbs like oregano and thyme
Heat-Smart Moves
- Mulch early: Straw or shredded leaves keep soil moisture steady and roots chill.
- Shade greens: Toss a 30% shade cloth over late lettuces to delay bolting. It works. Seriously.
- Tomato timing: Transplant when nights stay above 50°F; bury stems deep for extra rooting power.
- Pest watch: Cucumber beetles wake up now. Use row cover until flowers form, then uncover for pollination.
Do it right and you’ll cruise from the last tender salads into a summer avalanche of tomatoes, cukes, and basil that screams caprese all day.
4. Subtropical Zones (USDA Zones 10–11): Fast, Flavorful, And Drought-Savvy
April in the subtropics brings warmth, rain swings, and explosive growth. You can plant a ridiculous variety—just outpace pests and manage water like a boss. The payoff tastes like peak farmers market, but from your yard.
What To Sow Now
- Direct sow: beans, corn, cucumbers, summer squash, okra, cowpeas/black-eyed peas, melons, yardlong beans
- Transplant: tomatoes (heat-set types shine), peppers, eggplants, sweet potatoes (slips), basil, lemongrass
- Tropical greens: Malabar spinach, New Zealand spinach, amaranth, Okinawa spinach
- Quick wins: roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), Mexican tarragon, culantro, Thai chilies
Water, Heat, And Pest Control
- Drip + mulch: Combine both to slash evaporation and keep leaves dry—disease pressure drops fast.
- Pick heat-tolerant varieties: Tomatoes labeled “heat set,” cucumbers like ‘Suyo Long,’ and jalapeños that thrive in sauna weather.
- Stagger sowings: Beans every 2–3 weeks for a steady pod parade.
- Bug buffer: Interplant basil, marigold, and dill to attract beneficials. It’s like hiring tiny security guards.
With smart watering and heat-loving crops, you’ll harvest early and often, even when the sun cranks it to “broil.” IMO, it’s garden heaven if you plan ahead.
5. Mediterranean And Coastal Zones: Dry Summers, Dreamy Springs—Plant For Flavor And Longevity
Mediterranean climates deliver mild, wet-ish springs and bone-dry summers. April is your last big window to establish roots before the heat hits. Focus on herbs, early fruiting veg, and drought-savvy winners.
What To Sow Now
- Direct sow: bush beans, pole beans, corn, cucumbers, zucchini, melons (if nights >55°F), chickpeas, fennel
- Transplant: tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, artichokes, strawberries, basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage
- Shoulder-season greens: arugula, chard, kale (partial shade helps), purslane
Dry-Garden Strategy
- Deep watering: Train roots by watering less often but more deeply; then mulch 3–4 inches.
- Choose varieties: Cherry tomatoes crush it here; paste types handle heat too. Try Armenian cucumbers and drought-tolerant beans.
- Evening breezes: Stake and trellis early—coastal winds will body-slam floppy plants.
- Salt air tip: Rinse salt spray off leaves after storms to prevent leaf burn.
Set plants up now and you’ll glide through summer with herbs that never quit and tomatoes that actually taste like tomatoes. Trust me, the fragrance alone is worth it.
Ready to put seeds in the ground? Pick your zone, grab a handful of favorites, and start small but steady. April’s the launchpad—nail it now and your future self will be snacking straight from the garden all season. Happy sowing and big harvests ahead!