April in Zone 4
April in Zone 4 (last frost early – mid may, first frost mid september – mid october). There are 18 crops to sow, transplant, or harvest this month.
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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
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 4 last frost
- Early – mid May
- Zone 4 first frost
- Mid September – mid October
6
Sow indoors
9
Sow outdoors
3
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.
Tomatoes
Sow ¼ in deep in cell trays; keep at 70–75°F. Germinates in 7–10 days.
Tomatillos
Sow ¼ in deep at 70°F; treat like tomatoes.
Broccoli
Sow ¼ in deep; ready to transplant in 4–6 weeks at 4–5 in tall.
Cabbage
Sow ¼ in deep; harden off well before setting out.
Basil
Surface-sow under lights at 70°F; very frost-tender.
Marigolds
Sow ¼ in deep; quick and reliable from seed.
🌿 Sow outdoors
Sow these directly outdoors
Soil and weather are right to sow these straight into the garden where they will grow.
Peas
Sow 1 in deep, 2 in apart as soon as soil is workable; trellis tall types.
Lettuce
Surface-sow and barely cover; succession-sow every 2 weeks for a steady supply.
Spinach
Sow ½ in deep in cold soil; bolts fast once days lengthen and warm.
Radishes
Sow ½ in deep, thin to 1 in. Ready in just 3–4 weeks — great for kids and impatient gardeners.
Carrots
Sow ¼ in deep in loose, stone-free soil; keep surface moist until sprouts appear (2–3 weeks).
Beets
Sow ½ in deep; each "seed" is a cluster, so thin to 3 in. Eat the thinnings as greens.
Kale & collards
Sow ¼ in deep or transplant; extremely cold-hardy.
Cilantro
Sow ½ in deep; succession-sow — it bolts quickly in heat.
Sweet peas
Soak seed, sow 1 in deep in cool soil, and give them something to climb.
🪴 Transplant
Transplant these into the garden
Move hardened-off seedlings into their final beds.
Broccoli
Transplant while still cool; space 18 in apart. Heat ruins the heads.
Cabbage
Transplant 12–18 in apart into firm soil while weather is still cool.
Onions
Set out pencil-thick seedlings (or sets) 4 in apart as soon as soil is workable.
🛠️ 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.
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, Peas, and Lettuce. April in Zone 4 (last frost early – mid may, first frost mid september – mid october). There are 18 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.