What to Plant in April in Zone 5
251 crops you can start in zone 5a & 5b during April. The dates are worked out from zone 5's typical frosts: last spring frost around May 10, first fall frost around Oct 5. Each crop links to its full dates for zone 5.
Start indoors in April
Seeds to start under lights or on a sunny sill this month. Dates are the indoor-start window for zone 5.
Vegetables & herbs
- Bok ChoyApr 5–Apr 12
- BroccoliniApr 5–Apr 12
- CantaloupeApr 19–Apr 26
- Celtuce (Stem Lettuce)Apr 12–Apr 19
- CucamelonApr 12–Apr 19
- CucumberApr 19–Apr 26
- Escarole (Endive)Apr 12–Apr 19
- Fennel (Florence/bulbing)Apr 5–Apr 12
- KohlrabiApr 5–Apr 12
- Lemon BalmApr 5–Apr 12
- LettuceApr 12–Apr 19
- Luffa GourdApr 12–Apr 19
- Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage)Apr 12–Apr 19
- PurslaneApr 19–Apr 26
- RadicchioApr 12–Apr 19
- SorrelApr 5–Apr 12
- Summer Squash (Yellow)Apr 19–Apr 26
- Swiss ChardApr 12–Apr 19
- WatercressApr 19–Apr 26
- ZucchiniApr 19–Apr 26
Flowers
- Agrostemma (Corn Cockle)Apr 12–Apr 19
- Amaranthus (Love-Lies-Bleeding)Apr 5–Apr 12
- Ammi (False Queen Anne's Lace)Apr 5–Apr 12
- Carthamus (Safflower)Apr 12–Apr 19
- Clarkia (Farewell-to-Spring)Apr 12–Apr 19
- CosmosApr 5–Apr 12
- Cynoglossum (Chinese Forget-Me-Not)Apr 12–Apr 19
- Euphorbia (Snow-on-the-Mountain)Apr 5–Apr 12
- MoonflowerApr 5–Apr 12
- Orlaya (Laceflower)Apr 5–Apr 12
- Phlox (Annual)Apr 5–Apr 12
- Saponaria (Soapwort)Apr 19–Apr 26
- Scarlet Runner BeanApr 19–Apr 26
- ZinniaApr 12–Apr 19
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 5.
Vegetables & herbs
- AngelicaDirect sowApr 19–Apr 26
- ArtichokeTransplantApr 19–Apr 26
- ArugulaDirect sowApr 5–Apr 12
- AsparagusDirect sowApr 26–May 3
- BeetDirect sowApr 19–Apr 26
- BroccoliTransplantApr 26–May 3
- Broccoli Rabe (Raab)Direct sowApr 19–Apr 26
- Brussels SproutsTransplantApr 26–May 3
- CabbageTransplantApr 26–May 3
- CarawayDirect sowApr 19–Apr 26
- CarrotDirect sowApr 19–Apr 26
- CauliflowerTransplantApr 26–May 3
- Celeriac (Celery Root)TransplantApr 26–May 3
- CeleryTransplantApr 26–May 3
- Celtuce (Stem Lettuce)Sow or transplantApr 19–Apr 26
- ChervilSow or transplantApr 26–May 3
- ChivesSow or transplantApr 26–May 3
- Collard GreensSow or transplantApr 19–Apr 26
- Escarole (Endive)Sow or transplantApr 26–May 3
- Fava Bean (Broad Bean)Direct sowApr 19–Apr 26
- Flower SproutsTransplantApr 26–May 3
- Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli)Direct sowApr 26–May 3
- HorehoundDirect sowApr 26–May 3
- KaleSow or transplantApr 19–Apr 26
- KalettesTransplantApr 26–May 3
- KohlrabiSow or transplantApr 26–May 3
- KomatsunaDirect sowApr 26–May 3
- LeekTransplantApr 19–Apr 26
- LettuceSow or transplantApr 26–May 3
- Mâche (Corn Salad)Direct sowApr 12–Apr 19
- Magenta SpreenDirect sowApr 19–Apr 26
- Milk ThistleDirect sowApr 26–May 3
- MizunaDirect sowApr 19–Apr 26
- Mustard GreensDirect sowApr 19–Apr 26
- OnionTransplantApr 19–Apr 26
- Orach (Mountain Spinach)Direct sowApr 26–May 3
- ParsleySow or transplantApr 26–May 3
- ParsnipDirect sowApr 26–May 3
- PotatoDirect sowApr 26–May 3
- RadishDirect sowApr 12–Apr 19
- RhubarbDirect sowApr 26–May 3
- Scallion (Green Onion)Direct sowApr 26–May 3
- Sea KaleDirect sowApr 26–May 3
- ShallotDirect sowApr 19–Apr 26
- SorrelSow or transplantApr 26–May 3
- SpinachDirect sowApr 12–Apr 19
- Sunchoke (Jerusalem Artichoke)Direct sowApr 26–May 3
- Swiss ChardSow or transplantApr 26–May 3
- TansyDirect sowApr 26–May 3
- TatsoiDirect sowApr 19–Apr 26
- TurnipDirect sowApr 19–Apr 26
- WatercressSow or transplantApr 26–May 3
- Wild BergamotDirect sowApr 12–Apr 19
Fruit
- ApplePlant a nursery startApr 26–May 3
- ApricotPlant a nursery startApr 26–May 3
- Aronia (Black Chokeberry)Plant a nursery startApr 26–May 3
- BlackberryPlant a nursery startApr 12–Apr 19
- BlueberryPlant a nursery startApr 12–Apr 19
- CurrantPlant a nursery startApr 12–Apr 19
- ElderberryPlant a nursery startApr 26–May 3
- Goji BerryPlant a nursery startApr 26–May 3
- GooseberryPlant a nursery startApr 12–Apr 19
- GrapePlant a nursery startApr 19–Apr 26
- Honeyberry (Haskap)Plant a nursery startApr 26–May 3
- LingonberryPlant a nursery startApr 26–May 3
- Nanking CherryPlant a nursery startApr 12–Apr 19
- PeachPlant a nursery startApr 26–May 3
- PearPlant a nursery startApr 26–May 3
- PlumPlant a nursery startApr 26–May 3
- RaspberryPlant a nursery startApr 12–Apr 19
- Serviceberry (Juneberry)Plant a nursery startApr 26–May 3
- StrawberryPlant a nursery startApr 19–Apr 26
- Sweet CherryPlant a nursery startApr 26–May 3
- Tart CherryPlant a nursery startApr 26–May 3
Flowers
- Agrostemma (Corn Cockle)Sow or transplantApr 26–May 3
- AstilbeDirect sowApr 26–May 3
- Bachelor's Button (Cornflower)Sow or transplantApr 26–May 3
- Basket-of-GoldDirect sowApr 26–May 3
- Black-Eyed SusanSow or transplantApr 19–Apr 26
- Bleeding HeartDirect sowApr 12–Apr 19
- Bupleurum (Thoroughwax)Sow or transplantApr 26–May 3
- CalendulaSow or transplantApr 26–May 3
- California PoppyDirect sowApr 26–May 3
- CandytuftDirect sowApr 26–May 3
- Clarkia (Farewell-to-Spring)Sow or transplantApr 19–Apr 26
- Corn PoppyDirect sowApr 26–May 3
- Cynoglossum (Chinese Forget-Me-Not)Sow or transplantApr 19–Apr 26
- Forget-Me-NotDirect sowApr 26–May 3
- GladiolusPlant bulbsApr 26–May 3
- Heuchera (Coral Bells)Direct sowApr 26–May 3
- HollyhockDirect sowApr 26–May 3
- HostaDirect sowApr 26–May 3
- Johnny Jump UpTransplantApr 26–May 3
- LarkspurDirect sowApr 12–Apr 19
- Liatris (Blazing Star)Plant bulbsApr 26–May 3
- Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella)Direct sowApr 26–May 3
- LupineDirect sowApr 26–May 3
- Maiden PinksDirect sowApr 26–May 3
- Pansy / ViolaTransplantApr 26–May 3
- Penstemon (Beardtongue)Direct sowApr 12–Apr 19
- Phacelia (Lacy Phacelia)Direct sowApr 19–Apr 26
- PrimulaTransplantApr 26–May 3
- Purple ConeflowerSow or transplantApr 19–Apr 26
- Rock SoapwortDirect sowApr 26–May 3
- Saponaria (Soapwort)Sow or transplantApr 19–Apr 26
- Sedum (Showy Stonecrop)Direct sowApr 26–May 3
- Shasta DaisySow or transplantApr 19–Apr 26
- Veronica (Speedwell)Direct sowApr 26–May 3
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
- Anise HyssopPlant outMay 10–May 17
- BasilPlant outMay 24–May 31
- CatmintPlant outMay 17–May 24
- CatnipPlant outMay 10–May 17
- Chamomile (German)Plant outMay 10–May 17
- Cutting Celery (Leaf Celery)Plant outMay 10–May 17
- EggplantPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Garlic Chives (Chinese Leeks)Plant outMay 17–May 24
- Ground Cherry (Husk Cherry)Plant outMay 31–Jun 7
- HyssopPlant outMay 17–May 24
- LovagePlant outMay 17–May 24
- Malabar SpinachPlant outMay 17–May 24
- Marjoram (Sweet)Plant outMay 17–May 24
- Mountain MintPlant outMay 17–May 24
- OreganoPlant outMay 17–May 24
- RosellePlant outMay 24–May 31
- RosemaryPlant outMay 24–May 31
- RuePlant outMay 17–May 24
- SagePlant outMay 24–May 31
- Salad BurnetPlant outMay 17–May 24
- SkirretPlant outMay 10–May 17
- Summer SavoryPlant outMay 10–May 17
- ThymePlant outMay 17–May 24
- TobaccoPlant outMay 24–May 31
- TomatilloPlant outMay 31–Jun 7
- TomatoPlant outMay 24–May 31
- ValerianPlant outMay 17–May 24
- Winter SavoryPlant outMay 17–May 24
- Za'atar OreganoPlant outMay 24–May 31
Peppers
- 7 Pot Douglah Pepper (Chocolate 7 Pot)Plant outMay 24–May 31
- 7 Pot Primo PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Aji Amarillo PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Anaheim Pepper (New Mexico, Hatch)Plant outMay 24–May 31
- Bell PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Carolina Reaper PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Cayenne PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Chile de Árbol PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Cubanelle PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Datil PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Dorset Naga PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Fresno PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)Plant outMay 24–May 31
- Guajillo Pepper (Mirasol)Plant outMay 24–May 31
- Habanero PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Hungarian Wax PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Italian Frying Pepper (Corno di Toro, Marconi)Plant outMay 24–May 31
- Jalapeño PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Komodo Dragon PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Lemon Drop PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Mini Sweet Pepper (Snacking)Plant outMay 24–May 31
- Naga Viper PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Padrón PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Pasilla Pepper (Chilaca)Plant outMay 24–May 31
- Pimento PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Poblano Pepper (Ancho)Plant outMay 24–May 31
- Rocoto PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Scotch Bonnet PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Serrano PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Shishito PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Superhot Pepper (Ghost, Reaper, Scorpion)Plant outMay 24–May 31
- Sweet Banana PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Sweet Cherry PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Tabasco PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Thai Chili Pepper (Bird's Eye)Plant outMay 24–May 31
- Trinidad Moruga Scorpion PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Trinidad Scorpion Butch T PepperPlant outMay 24–May 31
Flowers
- Ageratum (Flossflower)Plant outMay 17–May 24
- Ammobium (Winged Everlasting)Plant outMay 10–May 17
- Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)Plant outMay 24–May 31
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)Plant outMay 17–May 24
- Bells of IrelandPlant outMay 3–May 10
- Black-Eyed Susan VinePlant outMay 24–May 31
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)Plant outMay 17–May 24
- Campanula (Bellflower)Plant outMay 17–May 24
- CarnationPlant outMay 3–May 10
- CelosiaPlant outMay 17–May 24
- Cerinthe (Honeywort)Plant outMay 10–May 17
- China AsterPlant outMay 17–May 24
- Chrysanthemum (Garden Mum)Plant outMay 24–May 31
- Cleome (Spider Flower)Plant outMay 24–May 31
- ColeusPlant outMay 24–May 31
- ColumbinePlant outMay 17–May 24
- Coreopsis (Tickseed)Plant outMay 17–May 24
- Craspedia (Drumstick Flower)Plant outMay 17–May 24
- Dusty MillerPlant outMay 17–May 24
- Echinops (Globe Thistle)Plant outMay 17–May 24
- Eryngium (Sea Holly)Plant outMay 17–May 24
- EucalyptusPlant outMay 17–May 24
- FeverfewPlant outMay 10–May 17
- FoxglovePlant outMay 17–May 24
- Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)Plant outMay 17–May 24
- GazaniaPlant outMay 17–May 24
- Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)Plant outMay 17–May 24
- Gypsophila (Baby's Breath)Plant outMay 17–May 24
- Helipterum (Paper Daisy)Plant outMay 17–May 24
- ImpatiensPlant outMay 24–May 31
- LisianthusPlant outMay 17–May 24
- LobeliaPlant outMay 17–May 24
- MarigoldPlant outMay 17–May 24
- Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco)Plant outMay 17–May 24
- OsteospermumPlant outMay 17–May 24
- PetuniaPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Portulaca (Moss Rose)Plant outMay 17–May 24
- Salvia (Scarlet Sage)Plant outMay 24–May 31
- Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)Plant outMay 17–May 24
- SnapdragonPlant outMay 3–May 10
- Spilanthes (Toothache Plant)Plant outMay 17–May 24
- StaticePlant outMay 17–May 24
- StockPlant outMay 10–May 17
- StrawflowerPlant outMay 10–May 17
- Sweet AlyssumPlant outMay 10–May 17
- Sweet Annie (Artemisia)Plant outMay 10–May 17
- Sweet WilliamPlant outMay 3–May 10
- Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)Plant outMay 24–May 31
- Torenia (Wishbone Flower)Plant outMay 24–May 31
- VerbenaPlant outMay 17–May 24
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)Plant outMay 24–May 31
- Wax BegoniaPlant outMay 24–May 31
- Xeranthemum (Immortelle)Plant outMay 10–May 17
- YarrowPlant outMay 10–May 17
← March in zone 5 · May in zone 5 →
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April in other zones: zone 2, zone 3, zone 4, 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 →
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What to plant in April in zone 5: 251 crops to start indoors or plant outside, including bell pepper, lettuce, cucumber, zucchini, with exact dates for zone 5a and 5b.
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