What Plants To Plant In April

If you’re wondering what plants to plant in April, you’ve picked the perfect time to get your hands dirty. This month is a true turning point in the garden, offering a sweet spot for sowing and planting that bridges cool spring soil and the warmer days ahead. Getting your choices right now sets the stage for months of color and harvest.

Let’s look at what makes April special. The soil is finally warming up, but it often retains good moisture from winter rains. Frost is becoming less likely in many regions, though it’s still a threat in some. This unique combination opens the door for a wide variety of plants.

Your April planting list splits neatly into two main groups: hardy plants that can handle a chill, and more tender ones you’ll need to nurture or wait until later in the month. Your local climate is the boss here, so always check your frost dates.

Vegetables and Herbs for April Planting

This is a busy month for the edible garden. You can sow seeds directly outside and also plant young seedlings you started indoors or bought from a nursery.

Direct Sow (Seeds straight into the garden):

Root Vegetables: Carrots, beets, parsnips, and radishes. They germinate best in cool, damp soil.
Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and lettuce. Sow little and often for a continuous supply.
Peas: Both shelling and snap peas love cool weather. Get them in early for a summer harvest.
Potatoes: Plant seed potatoes now for a summer or fall crop.

Plant as Seedlings (Young plants):

Broccoli, Cabbage, and Cauliflower: These hardy brassicas establish well in spring.
Onions and Shallots: You can plant sets (small bulbs) for a reliable, earlier crop.
Hardy Herbs: Parsley, cilantro, dill, and chives can be sown or planted now.

Wait for Later in April (After frost danger passes):

In warmer areas, you can plant seedlings of tomatoes, peppers, and basil towards the end of the month. Keep cloches or row covers handy just in case of a late cold snap.

Flowers to Plant in April

April is fantastic for filling your garden with color that lasts through the season. You have great options from both seed and nursery pots.

From Seed:

Hardy Annuals: Calendula, cornflower, larkspur, and sweet pea. These germinate in cool soil and bloom by early summer.
Wildflowers: A prepared bed sown with a wildflower mix now will explode with life in a few months.

From Plants (Bedding Plants):

Pansies and Violas: They thrive in cool weather and can even handle a light frost, providing instant color.
Primrose and Dianthus: These spring stalwarts are widely available and brighten up containers and borders.
Perennials: April is a excellent time to plant perennial flowers like hostas, daylilies, and phlox. They’ll get established before summer heat.

Fruits and Shrubs

Don’t forget about long-term investments. Bare-root season is ending, but container-grown plants are in full swing.

Strawberries: Plant bare-root or potted strawberry plants now for fruit this summer or next.
Raspberries and Blackberries: You can still plant cane fruits if you find container-grown stock.
Deciduous Shrubs and Trees: As long as they are still dormant or just breaking bud, planting now gives them a full season to grow roots.

Your April Gardening To-Do List

Knowing what to plant is half the battle. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to getting it all in the ground successfully.

Step 1: Prepare Your Soil

Good soil is the foundation. Start by removing any weeds. Then, add a generous layer of compost or well-rotted manure and gently fork it into the top few inches of soil. Avoid walking on prepared beds to keep the soil nice and loose.

Step 2: Plan Your Layout

Think about height and sunlight. Place tall plants (like peas or sunflowers) where they won’t shade shorter ones. Group plants with similar water needs together. A quick sketch can save you alot of hassle later.

Step 3: Planting Seeds Correctly

Read the seed packet for depth and spacing. This is the most important guide.
Make a shallow drill (furrow) in the soil using a stick or the edge of a trowel.
Sow seeds thinly along the drill. It’s tempting to pour them in, but thinning later is a chore.
Cover gently with soil and water using a fine rose on your watering can to avoid washing them away.

Step 4: Planting Seedlings and Pots

Water the plant in its pot thoroughly an hour before planting.
Dig a hole wider and slightly deeper than the pot.
Gently remove the plant, teasing out any roots that are circling the pot.
Place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill, firm gently, and water well.

Step 5: Ongoing Care

Protect new seedlings from slugs and snails with organic pellets or barriers. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially for seeds. As plants grow, you may need to provide supports for climbers like peas.

Regional Considerations for April Planting

April in Florida is very different from April in Minnesota. Here’s a quick regional breakdown.

Cooler Northern Climates

Focus on hardy vegetables and flowers. Hold off on tender plants like tomatoes until late May or even June. You can still sow seeds indoors to get a head start.

Temperate Middle Zones

This is the prime planting window described above. You can succession sow greens and start planting tender crops outdoors from late April onward.

Warmer Southern Climates

Your last frost is likely well past. You can plant warm-season crops like beans, squash, cucumbers, and melons directly outdoors. It’s also a good time to plant heat-loving flowers like zinnias and marigolds.

Common April Planting Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced gardeners can slip up in the spring rush. Here’s what to watch for.

Planting Too Early: Patience is key. Cold, wet soil will cause seeds to rot and stunt seedlings. Warm the soil with cloches if your eager.
Overcrowding: Give plants the space recommended on the tag. Crowded plants compete for light and nutrients and are more prone to disease.
Forgetting to Harden Off: Never move indoor-grown seedlings straight outside. Acclimate them to sun and wind over 7-10 days by leaving them out for longer periods each day.
Neglecting Water: April can be deceptively dry. New seeds and transplants need consistent moisture to establish. Check soil daily.

FAQ: Your April Planting Questions Answered

What is the best thing to plant in April?

For beginners, leafy greens like lettuce and spinach or root crops like radishes are very rewarding and easy. For instant color, you can’t beat pansies.

Can I plant perennials in April?

Yes, April is a excellent time to plant container-grown perennials. The soil is workable and temperatures are mild, helping them settle in.

Is it to late to start seeds in April?

Not at all! For many summer-blooming flowers and vegetables like beans and zucchini, April is the perfect time to start seeds, especially in warmer regions.

What should I not plant in April?

Avoid planting extremely heat-loving crops like okra or sweet potatoes until the soil is very warm. Also, hold off on tropical plants unless all chance of frost is completely gone.

How do I protect plants from a late April frost?

Keep old sheets, frost cloth, or even cardboard boxes ready. Cover vulnerable plants in the evening if a frost is forecast, and remove the cover in the morning once the air warms.

April’s energy is contagious for gardeners. By choosing the right plants for your area and giving them a good start with proper soil and care, you’ll build a strong, productive garden. The effort you put in now will pay you back many times over with blooms, harvests, and enjoyment throughout the coming seasons. Just remember to check your local conditions and enjoy the process of watching your garden wake up.