April in Zone 1
April in Zone 1 (last frost late may – mid june, first frost late july – mid august). There are 4 crops to sow, transplant, or harvest this month.
Jump to another month
- Min Winter Temp
- -60 to -50 °F / -51 to -46 °C
- Last Spring Frost
- Late May – mid June
- First Fall Frost
- Late July – mid August
- Growing Season
- 50–80 days
- Annual Rainfall
- 10–20 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 1 last frost
- Late May – mid June
- Zone 1 first frost
- Late July – mid August
4
Sow indoors
0
Sow outdoors
0
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.
Peppers
Sow ⅛ in deep at 80°F on a heat mat. Slow to sprout (14–21 days) — start early.
Eggplant
Sow ¼ in deep at 80°F; needs steady warmth for 8 weeks indoors.
Onions
Sow ¼ in deep in trays; keep tops trimmed to 3 in for stocky transplants. Choose day-length type for your latitude.
Parsley
Soak seed overnight; slow to germinate (3 weeks). Surface-sow under lights.
🛠️ Maintenance
Plan, order seeds, and prep
The ground is cold or frozen — the perfect time for the indoor work that makes spring easier.
📌 Order seeds before favorites sell out, sketch next year's layout and rotations, sharpen and oil tools, and start onions/leeks late in the dormant season.
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 1: common questions
What can I plant in April in Zone 1?＋
In April, Zone 1 gardeners can sow or transplant Peppers, Eggplant, Onions, and Parsley. April in Zone 1 (last frost late may – mid june, first frost late july – mid august). There are 4 crops to sow, transplant, or harvest this month.
When is the last and first frost in Zone 1?＋
Zone 1 typically has its last spring frost around Late May – mid June and its first fall frost around Late July – mid August, giving a growing season of roughly 50–80 days. Always check a local frost-date source, since microclimates vary.
What garden jobs matter most in April in Zone 1?＋
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.