April in Zone 4
April in Zone 4 (last frost early – mid may, first frost mid september – mid october). There are 55 crops to sow, transplant, or harvest this month.
Quick answer · Updated October 2026
In April, Zone 4 gardeners can plant Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Broccoli, Cabbage, Basil, Marigolds, Pumpkins, and Watermelon. Zone 4's last frost is around Early – mid May and first frost around Mid September – mid October — the full task list below has exact timing for each crop.
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- Min Winter Temp
- -30 to -20 °F / -34 to -29 °C
- Last Spring Frost
- Early – mid May
- First Fall Frost
- Mid September – mid October
- Growing Season
- 120–150 days
- Annual Rainfall
- 20–45 in
Gardening in April in Zone 4
In Zone 4, April sits just ahead of the average last frost (Early – mid May). This is the critical indoor seed-starting window: warm-season crops need these weeks under lights to be transplant-ready the moment the soil warms.
The planting focus in Zone 4 this month is Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Broccoli, Cabbage, Basil, and Marigolds — see the task cards below for exactly how and when to sow each in your conditions.
About April in the garden
April is peak planting season for cold and temperate zones. Soil is workable, temperatures are consistently above freezing in most areas, and the full complement of cool-season crops can go in. Warm zones are transitioning to summer crops.
Transplanting broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower in cold zones; direct sowing beets, carrots, and chard; planting potatoes; last frost passes in Zones 7–8.
- Season
- spring
- Temperature trend
- Warming steadily; last frost dates pass for Zones 7 and 8 in most locations.
- Daylight
- Days are significantly longer than nights; about 13–14 hours of daylight in mid-latitudes.
- Zone 4 last frost
- Early – mid May
- Zone 4 first frost
- Mid September – mid October
19
Sow indoors
23
Sow outdoors
13
Transplant
0
Harvest
1
Maintenance
🌱 Sow indoors
Start these indoors
Get a jump on the season under lights or on a sunny windowsill so transplants are ready when the weather warms.
Sow ¼ in deep in cell trays; keep at 70–75°F. Germinates in 7–10 days.
Sow ¼ in deep at 70°F; treat like tomatoes.
Sow ¼ in deep; ready to transplant in 4–6 weeks at 4–5 in tall.
Sow ¼ in deep; harden off well before setting out.
Surface-sow under lights at 70°F; very frost-tender.
Sow ¼ in deep; quick and reliable from seed.
Sow 1 in deep. Germinates in 7–10 days in warm soil.
Sow 1 in deep. Germinates in 5–10 days in warm soil.
Sow ¼–½ in deep. Germinates in 5–10 days.
Sow 1/4–1/2 in deep. Germinates in 4–7 days.
Sow Surface-sow only — seeds need light to germinate. Germinates in 7–14 days.
Sow ¼–½ in deep. Germinates in 7–14 days.
Sow ½ in deep. Germinates in 7–14 days.
Sow ¼ in deep. Germinates in 5–14 days.
Sow 1/4 in deep. Germinates in 7–14 days.
Sow ¼–½ in deep. Germinates in 4–7 days.
Sow Surface sow — seeds need light; press gently without covering. Germinates in 7–14 days at 70–75°f.
Sow 1½–2 in deep. Germinates in 7–14 days.
Sow Surface-sow; needs light to germinate — press seed gently into moist soil without covering. Germinates in 7–14 days at 55–70°f.
🌿 Sow outdoors
Sow these directly outdoors
Soil and weather are right to sow these straight into the garden where they will grow.
Sow 1 in deep, 2 in apart as soon as soil is workable; trellis tall types.
Surface-sow and barely cover; succession-sow every 2 weeks for a steady supply.
Sow ½ in deep in cold soil; bolts fast once days lengthen and warm.
Sow ½ in deep, thin to 1 in. Ready in just 3–4 weeks — great for kids and impatient gardeners.
Sow ¼ in deep in loose, stone-free soil; keep surface moist until sprouts appear (2–3 weeks).
Sow ½ in deep; each "seed" is a cluster, so thin to 3 in. Eat the thinnings as greens.
Sow ¼ in deep or transplant; extremely cold-hardy.
Sow ½ in deep; succession-sow — it bolts quickly in heat.
Soak seed, sow 1 in deep in cool soil, and give them something to climb.
Direct-sow ¼–½ in deep, spacing 2–4 in apart.
Direct-sow ¼ in; transplant into deep holes, spacing 6 in apart.
Direct-sow ¼ in deep, spacing 4–6 in apart.
Direct-sow ¼–½ in deep, spacing 6 in apart.
Direct-sow ½ in deep, spacing 3–4 in apart.
Direct-sow ¼ in deep, spacing 6–12 in apart.
Direct-sow 1/4–1/2 in deep, spacing 4–6 in apart (baby) or 10–12 in (full-size).
Direct-sow ¼ in deep, spacing 8–12 in apart.
Direct-sow Surface-sow only — seeds need light to germinate, spacing 6–8 in apart.
Direct-sow ¼ in deep, spacing 8–12 in apart.
Direct-sow 1/4 in deep, spacing 6–12 in apart.
Direct-sow ¼–½ in deep, spacing 4–6 in (baby leaf) to 12 in (full-size heads).
Direct-sow Nick or soak seed for 24 hours before sowing to break the hard coat; sow ¼–½ in deep, spacing 18–24 in apart.
Direct-sow Surface-sow; needs light to germinate — press seed gently into moist soil without covering, spacing 6–8 in apart.
🪴 Transplant
Transplant these into the garden
Move hardened-off seedlings into their final beds.
Transplant while still cool; space 18 in apart. Heat ruins the heads.
Transplant 12–18 in apart into firm soil while weather is still cool.
Set out pencil-thick seedlings (or sets) 4 in apart as soon as soil is workable.
Set out 18–24 in apart, in full sun (6+ hours).
Set out 6 in apart, in full sun (6+ hours).
Set out 4–6 in apart (baby) or 10–12 in (full-size), in full sun to part shade (4–6+ hours).
Set out 6–12 in apart, in full sun to part shade (6 hours; some afternoon shade in heat).
Set out 6–8 in apart, in full sun to part shade (4–6 hours).
Set out 8–12 in apart, in full sun (6+ hours); tolerates light shade.
Set out 4–6 in (baby leaf) to 12 in (full-size heads), in full sun to part shade (4–6+ hours).
Set out 18–24 in apart, in part shade to full sun; thrives in dappled light and tolerates deeper shade better than almost any other tall flower.
Set out 4–6 in apart, in rows 18–24 in wide, in full sun to partial shade.
Set out 6–8 in apart, in full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade in hot climates extends the bloom season.
🛠️ Maintenance
Harden off and prep beds
Zone 4's last frost lands around now (Early – mid May).
📌 Harden off indoor seedlings over 7–10 days, work compost into beds, and keep frost cloth handy for surprise late freezes.
When to plant this month's crops in Zone 4
Full planting calendars — start indoors, transplant, and harvest timing — for the crops you're planting in April.
General April tasks
These apply broadly regardless of zone — a useful checklist alongside the zone-specific tasks above.
- ✓Direct sow beets, carrots, parsnips, and chard
- ✓Transplant broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower starts
- ✓Plant potatoes once soil reaches 45°F
- ✓Sow herb seeds outdoors: dill, cilantro, parsley
- ✓Install soaker hoses and drip irrigation before beds fill in
- ✓Top-dress lawns and garden beds with compost
- ✓Prune spring-blooming shrubs immediately after bloom
- ✓Direct sow annual wildflower mixes
⚠ Watch-outs for April
- ⚠Frost is still possible in Zones 3–6 through April; keep row covers handy
- ⚠Don't transplant warm-season crops outdoors before last frost date
- ⚠Newly direct-sown seeds dry out quickly in warm April sun — water consistently
- ⚠Aphids and other soft-bodied insects appear early in spring; monitor and treat
April in Zone 4: common questions
What can I plant in April in Zone 4?＋
In April, Zone 4 gardeners can sow or transplant Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Broccoli, Cabbage, Basil, Marigolds, Pumpkins, and Watermelon. April in Zone 4 (last frost early – mid may, first frost mid september – mid october). There are 55 crops to sow, transplant, or harvest this month.
When is the last and first frost in Zone 4?＋
Zone 4 typically has its last spring frost around Early – mid May and its first fall frost around Mid September – mid October, giving a growing season of roughly 120–150 days. Always check a local frost-date source, since microclimates vary.
What garden jobs matter most in April in Zone 4?＋
Focus on direct sow beets, carrots, parsnips, and chard, transplant broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower starts, plant potatoes once soil reaches 45°f. Watch out for frost is still possible in zones 3–6 through april; keep row covers handy.