April in Zone 5
April in Zone 5: prime cool-season planting month. Direct sow most cool-season crops; transplant brassicas.
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- Min Winter Temp
- -20 to -10 °F / -29 to -23 °C
- Last Spring Frost
- Late April – early May
- First Fall Frost
- Early – mid October
- Growing Season
- 150–180 days
- Annual Rainfall
- 25–50 in
April overview
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 5 last frost
- Late April – early May
- Zone 5 first frost
- Early – mid October
0
Sow indoors
11
Sow outdoors
4
Transplant
0
Harvest
0
Maintenance
🌿 Sow outdoors
Direct sow lettuce, arugula, and radishes
Lettuce
Surface-sow or ⅛ inch deep; thin to 8 inches for heads, 4 inches for cut-and-come-again.
Arugula
Surface-sow in wide bands; thins itself as it grows; bolt-prone in heat — shade if needed.
Radishes
Sow ½ inch deep, 1 inch apart; thin to 2 inches; ready in 25–30 days.
Mustard greens
Follow standard planting guidelines for Mustard greens.
Direct sow beets, carrots, and parsnips
Beets
Sow 1 inch deep, 3 inches apart; each seed is a cluster — thin to one plant per cluster.
Carrots
Sow ¼ inch deep in loose, deep soil; mix with sand for even distribution; thin to 3 inches.
Parsnips
Sow fresh seed ½ inch deep in very early spring; slow to germinate (21 days); thin to 6 inches.
Turnips
Sow ½ inch deep, thin to 4 inches apart; harvest roots at golf-ball size for best flavour.
Direct sow Swiss chard and kale
Swiss chard
Sow 1 inch deep, thin to 6 inches; very productive cut-and-come-again crop.
Kale
Sow ¼ inch deep directly or in trays; very cold-hardy; direct sow works well in cool soil.
Plant bare-root strawberries
Strawberries
Plant bare-root crowns with crown at soil level — not too deep or too shallow; mulch runners.
🪴 Transplant
Transplant broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower
Broccoli
Sow ¼ inch deep; transplant at 4–6 weeks when 4–5 inches tall; space 18 inches apart.
Cabbage
Sow ¼ inch deep; harden off well before transplanting; space 12–18 inches apart.
Cauliflower
Sow ¼ inch deep; needs consistent cool temperatures; space 18 inches apart.
Plant potato sets
Potatoes
Chit in egg cartons in a cool bright spot until 1-inch sprouts develop before planting.
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 5: common questions
What can I plant in April in Zone 5?＋
In April, Zone 5 gardeners can sow or transplant Lettuce, Arugula, Radishes, Mustard greens, Beets, Carrots, Parsnips, and Turnips. April in Zone 5: prime cool-season planting month. Direct sow most cool-season crops; transplant brassicas.
When is the last and first frost in Zone 5?＋
Zone 5 typically has its last spring frost around Late April – early May and its first fall frost around Early – mid October, giving a growing season of roughly 150–180 days. Always check a local frost-date source, since microclimates vary.
What garden jobs matter most in April in Zone 5?＋
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.