What to Plant in April in Zone 4
201 crops you can start in zone 4a & 4b during April. The dates are worked out from zone 4's typical frosts: last spring frost around May 15, first fall frost around Sep 20. Each crop links to its full dates for zone 4.
Start indoors in April
Seeds to start under lights or on a sunny sill this month. Dates are the indoor-start window for zone 4.
Vegetables & herbs
- BasilApr 3–Apr 10
- Bok ChoyApr 10–Apr 17
- BroccoliApr 3–Apr 10
- BroccoliniApr 10–Apr 17
- Brussels SproutsApr 3–Apr 10
- CabbageApr 3–Apr 10
- CauliflowerApr 3–Apr 10
- Celtuce (Stem Lettuce)Apr 17–Apr 24
- Chamomile (German)Apr 3–Apr 10
- CucamelonApr 17–Apr 24
- CucumberApr 24–May 1
- Escarole (Endive)Apr 17–Apr 24
- Fennel (Florence/bulbing)Apr 10–Apr 17
- Flower SproutsApr 3–Apr 10
- KaleApr 3–Apr 10
- KalettesApr 3–Apr 10
- KohlrabiApr 10–Apr 17
- Lemon BalmApr 10–Apr 17
- LettuceApr 17–Apr 24
- Luffa GourdApr 17–Apr 24
- Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage)Apr 17–Apr 24
- PurslaneApr 24–May 1
- RadicchioApr 17–Apr 24
- SorrelApr 10–Apr 17
- Summer SavoryApr 3–Apr 10
- Summer Squash (Yellow)Apr 24–May 1
- Swiss ChardApr 17–Apr 24
- TomatoApr 3–Apr 10
- ValerianApr 3–Apr 10
- WatercressApr 24–May 1
- ZucchiniApr 24–May 1
Flowers
- Agrostemma (Corn Cockle)Apr 17–Apr 24
- Amaranthus (Love-Lies-Bleeding)Apr 10–Apr 17
- Ammi (False Queen Anne's Lace)Apr 10–Apr 17
- Ammobium (Winged Everlasting)Apr 3–Apr 10
- Black-Eyed Susan VineApr 3–Apr 10
- Carthamus (Safflower)Apr 17–Apr 24
- Cerinthe (Honeywort)Apr 3–Apr 10
- Clarkia (Farewell-to-Spring)Apr 17–Apr 24
- CosmosApr 10–Apr 17
- Cynoglossum (Chinese Forget-Me-Not)Apr 17–Apr 24
- Euphorbia (Snow-on-the-Mountain)Apr 10–Apr 17
- GazaniaApr 3–Apr 10
- MarigoldApr 3–Apr 10
- MoonflowerApr 10–Apr 17
- Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco)Apr 3–Apr 10
- Orlaya (Laceflower)Apr 10–Apr 17
- Phlox (Annual)Apr 10–Apr 17
- Saponaria (Soapwort)Apr 24–May 1
- Scarlet Runner BeanApr 24–May 1
- Spilanthes (Toothache Plant)Apr 3–Apr 10
- StaticeApr 3–Apr 10
- StockApr 3–Apr 10
- Sweet Annie (Artemisia)Apr 3–Apr 10
- Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)Apr 3–Apr 10
- Xeranthemum (Immortelle)Apr 3–Apr 10
- ZinniaApr 17–Apr 24
Sow or plant outside in April
What goes in the ground this month, either as seed or as a transplant. Dates are the planting-out window for zone 4.
Vegetables & herbs
- AngelicaDirect sowApr 24–May 1
- ArtichokeTransplantApr 24–May 1
- ArugulaDirect sowApr 10–Apr 17
- BeetDirect sowApr 24–May 1
- Broccoli Rabe (Raab)Direct sowApr 24–May 1
- CarawayDirect sowApr 24–May 1
- CarrotDirect sowApr 24–May 1
- Celtuce (Stem Lettuce)Sow or transplantApr 24–May 1
- Collard GreensSow or transplantApr 24–May 1
- Fava Bean (Broad Bean)Direct sowApr 24–May 1
- KaleSow or transplantApr 24–May 1
- LeekTransplantApr 24–May 1
- Mâche (Corn Salad)Direct sowApr 17–Apr 24
- Magenta SpreenDirect sowApr 24–May 1
- MizunaDirect sowApr 24–May 1
- Mustard GreensDirect sowApr 24–May 1
- OnionTransplantApr 24–May 1
- PeaDirect sowApr 3–Apr 10
- RadishDirect sowApr 17–Apr 24
- ShallotDirect sowApr 24–May 1
- SpinachDirect sowApr 17–Apr 24
- TatsoiDirect sowApr 24–May 1
- TurnipDirect sowApr 24–May 1
- Wild BergamotDirect sowApr 17–Apr 24
Fruit
- BlueberryPlant a nursery startApr 17–Apr 24
- CurrantPlant a nursery startApr 17–Apr 24
- GooseberryPlant a nursery startApr 17–Apr 24
- GrapePlant a nursery startApr 24–May 1
- Nanking CherryPlant a nursery startApr 17–Apr 24
- RaspberryPlant a nursery startApr 17–Apr 24
- StrawberryPlant a nursery startApr 24–May 1
Flowers
- Black-Eyed SusanSow or transplantApr 24–May 1
- Bleeding HeartDirect sowApr 17–Apr 24
- Clarkia (Farewell-to-Spring)Sow or transplantApr 24–May 1
- Cynoglossum (Chinese Forget-Me-Not)Sow or transplantApr 24–May 1
- LarkspurDirect sowApr 17–Apr 24
- Penstemon (Beardtongue)Direct sowApr 17–Apr 24
- Phacelia (Lacy Phacelia)Direct sowApr 24–May 1
- Purple ConeflowerSow or transplantApr 24–May 1
- Saponaria (Soapwort)Sow or transplantApr 24–May 1
- Shasta DaisySow or transplantApr 24–May 1
- Sweet PeaDirect sowApr 3–Apr 10
Still time to start indoors
The usual indoor-start date for these has passed, but planting-out hasn't come yet. Seed started now still makes a transplant, just a smaller one. Buying starts is the easy alternative. Dates are when they go outside.
Vegetables & herbs
- CatmintPlant outMay 22–May 29
- CatnipPlant outMay 15–May 22
- Celeriac (Celery Root)Plant outMay 1–May 8
- CeleryPlant outMay 1–May 8
- ChervilPlant outMay 1–May 8
- ChivesPlant outMay 1–May 8
- Cutting Celery (Leaf Celery)Plant outMay 15–May 22
- EggplantPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Garlic Chives (Chinese Leeks)Plant outMay 22–May 29
- Ground Cherry (Husk Cherry)Plant outJun 5–Jun 12
- HyssopPlant outMay 22–May 29
- LovagePlant outMay 22–May 29
- Marjoram (Sweet)Plant outMay 22–May 29
- OreganoPlant outMay 22–May 29
- ParsleyPlant outMay 1–May 8
- RosellePlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- RosemaryPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- RuePlant outMay 22–May 29
- SagePlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Salad BurnetPlant outMay 22–May 29
- ThymePlant outMay 22–May 29
- TobaccoPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- TomatilloPlant outJun 5–Jun 12
- Winter SavoryPlant outMay 22–May 29
- Za'atar OreganoPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
Peppers
- 7 Pot Douglah Pepper (Chocolate 7 Pot)Plant outMay 29–Jun 5
- 7 Pot Primo PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Aji Amarillo PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Anaheim Pepper (New Mexico, Hatch)Plant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Bell PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Carolina Reaper PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Cayenne PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Chile de Árbol PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Cubanelle PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Datil PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Dorset Naga PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Fresno PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)Plant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Guajillo Pepper (Mirasol)Plant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Habanero PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Hungarian Wax PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Italian Frying Pepper (Corno di Toro, Marconi)Plant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Jalapeño PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Komodo Dragon PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Lemon Drop PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Mini Sweet Pepper (Snacking)Plant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Naga Viper PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Padrón PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Pasilla Pepper (Chilaca)Plant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Pimento PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Poblano Pepper (Ancho)Plant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Rocoto PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Scotch Bonnet PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Serrano PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Shishito PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Superhot Pepper (Ghost, Reaper, Scorpion)Plant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Sweet Banana PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Sweet Cherry PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Tabasco PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Thai Chili Pepper (Bird's Eye)Plant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Trinidad Moruga Scorpion PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Trinidad Scorpion Butch T PepperPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
Flowers
- Ageratum (Flossflower)Plant outMay 22–May 29
- Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)Plant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)Plant outMay 22–May 29
- Bachelor's Button (Cornflower)Plant outMay 1–May 8
- Bells of IrelandPlant outMay 8–May 15
- Bupleurum (Thoroughwax)Plant outMay 1–May 8
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)Plant outMay 22–May 29
- CalendulaPlant outMay 1–May 8
- Campanula (Bellflower)Plant outMay 22–May 29
- CarnationPlant outMay 8–May 15
- CelosiaPlant outMay 22–May 29
- China AsterPlant outMay 22–May 29
- Cleome (Spider Flower)Plant outMay 29–Jun 5
- ColeusPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- ColumbinePlant outMay 22–May 29
- Coreopsis (Tickseed)Plant outMay 22–May 29
- Craspedia (Drumstick Flower)Plant outMay 22–May 29
- Dusty MillerPlant outMay 22–May 29
- Echinops (Globe Thistle)Plant outMay 22–May 29
- Eryngium (Sea Holly)Plant outMay 22–May 29
- EucalyptusPlant outMay 22–May 29
- FoxglovePlant outMay 22–May 29
- Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)Plant outMay 22–May 29
- Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)Plant outMay 22–May 29
- Gypsophila (Baby's Breath)Plant outMay 22–May 29
- Helipterum (Paper Daisy)Plant outMay 22–May 29
- ImpatiensPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Johnny Jump UpPlant outMay 1–May 8
- LisianthusPlant outMay 22–May 29
- LobeliaPlant outMay 22–May 29
- OsteospermumPlant outMay 22–May 29
- Pansy / ViolaPlant outMay 1–May 8
- PetuniaPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Portulaca (Moss Rose)Plant outMay 22–May 29
- PrimulaPlant outMay 1–May 8
- Salvia (Scarlet Sage)Plant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)Plant outMay 22–May 29
- SnapdragonPlant outMay 8–May 15
- StrawflowerPlant outMay 15–May 22
- Sweet AlyssumPlant outMay 15–May 22
- Sweet WilliamPlant outMay 8–May 15
- Torenia (Wishbone Flower)Plant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)Plant outMay 29–Jun 5
- Wax BegoniaPlant outMay 29–Jun 5
- YarrowPlant outMay 15–May 22
← March in zone 4 · May in zone 4 →
Keep planning
Growing guides
Read next
Not sure of your zone? Look it up by ZIP code.
April in other zones: zone 2, zone 3, zone 5, zone 6, zone 7, zone 8, zone 10
Worth having in April
Luster Leaf Rapitest Soil Test KitTest pH and nutrients before planting, so you only add what's missing.Check price on Amazon →Agfabric 0.55oz Floating Row CoverLight enough to leave on through a cold night when a frost threatens early or late plantings.Check price on Amazon →Panacea Heavy-Duty Galvanized Tomato CageHeavy-gauge cages that hold a fruit-loaded tomato up, and last for years.Check price on Amazon →
Pin this for later
What to plant in April in zone 4: 201 crops to start indoors or plant outside, including tomato, bell pepper, kale, broccoli, with exact dates for zone 4a and 4b.
Save to PinterestAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.