Zone 3A — April
What to Plant in April in Zone 3A
April in Zone 3A:
195 crops to start indoors,
5 to plant or direct sow outside, and
0 entering harvest window.
Last frost averages May 22. Reference city: Tower, MN.
195 Start Indoors
5 Plant Outside
0 Harvest
Start Indoors in April
| Plant | Type | Start Indoors | Transplant Outside | Harvest Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Season Cabbage | brassica | Apr 3 | May 8 | Jul 17 – Jul 27 |
| All Year Round Cauliflower | brassica | Apr 3 | May 8 | Jul 12 |
| Basil Herb Mix | herb | Apr 24 | May 29 | Jul 28 – Aug 17 |
| Brunswick Cabbage | brassica | Apr 3 | May 8 | Aug 6 |
| Calabrese Broccoli | brassica | Apr 3 | May 8 | Jul 12 |
| Catmint | herb | Apr 3 | May 22 | Perennial — see plant page |
| Cinnamon Basil | herb | Apr 24 | May 29 | Aug 2 – Aug 17 |
| Classic Tomatillos | vegetable | Apr 24 | May 29 | Aug 17 – Aug 22 |
| Copenhagen Cabbage | brassica | Apr 3 | May 8 | Jul 12 |
| Crackerjack Mix Marigolds | flower | Apr 17 | May 22 | Jul 21 – Aug 5 |
| Crego Mix Aster Flowers | flower | Apr 10 | May 29 | Aug 17 – Aug 27 |
| Di Cicco Broccoli | brassica | Apr 3 | May 8 | Jun 22 – Jun 25 |
| Early Purple Broccoli | brassica | Apr 3 | May 8 | Jul 12 |
| Glory of Enkhuizen Cabbage | brassica | Apr 3 | May 8 | Aug 6 |
| Golden Acre Cabbage | brassica | Apr 3 | May 8 | Jul 12 |
| Greek Basil | herb | Apr 24 | May 29 | Aug 2 – Aug 12 |
| Green shiso leaves | herb | Apr 24 | May 29 | Jul 28 – Aug 7 |
| Igloo Cauliflower | brassica | Apr 3 | May 8 | Jul 12 – Jul 17 |
| Isis Candy Cherry Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 10 | May 29 | Aug 7 – Aug 17 |
| Italian Large Leaf Basil | herb | Apr 24 | May 29 | Jul 28 – Aug 12 |
| Kellogg's Breakfast tomatoes | tomato | Apr 10 | May 29 | Aug 12 – Aug 22 |
| Lettuce Leaf Basil | herb | Apr 24 | May 29 | Aug 2 – Aug 17 |
| Licorice Basil | herb | Apr 24 | May 29 | Aug 2 – Aug 17 |
| Lime Basil | herb | Apr 24 | May 29 | Aug 2 – Aug 12 |
| Matt's Wild Cherry Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 10 | May 29 | Jul 23 – Aug 2 |
| Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil | herb | Apr 10 | May 29 | Jul 28 – Aug 7 |
| Orion Florence Fennel | vegetable | Apr 24 | May 29 | Aug 17 – Aug 27 |
| Paul Robeson tomatoes | tomato | Apr 10 | May 29 | Aug 7 – Aug 22 |
| Pineapple Tomatillos | vegetable | Apr 10 | May 29 | Aug 7 – Aug 17 |
| Powderpuff Aster Flowers | flower | Apr 10 | May 29 | Aug 12 – Aug 22 |
| Purple Tomatillos | vegetable | Apr 24 | May 29 | Aug 12 – Aug 22 |
| Red Velvet Leaf Basil | herb | Apr 24 | May 29 | Aug 2 – Aug 17 |
| Savoy Perfection Cabbage | brassica | Apr 3 | May 8 | Aug 6 – Aug 11 |
| Single Mix China Aster Flowers | flower | Apr 10 | May 29 | Aug 7 – Aug 17 |
| Snowball Self-Blanche Cauliflower | brassica | Apr 3 | May 8 | Jul 12 |
| Soapwort | flower | Apr 10 | May 29 | Perennial — see plant page |
| Sparky Mix Marigolds | flower | Apr 17 | May 22 | Jul 16 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet Marjoram | herb | Apr 10 | May 29 | Aug 12 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet Woodruff | herb | Apr 3 | May 22 | Perennial — see plant page |
| Verde Tomatillos | vegetable | Apr 24 | May 29 | Aug 12 – Aug 22 |
| Violetta Purple Cauliflower | brassica | Apr 3 | May 8 | Jul 12 |
| Wormwood | herb | Apr 3 | May 22 | Perennial — see plant page |
| Abe Lincoln Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 24 – Sep 3 |
| Ace 55 Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 24 – Aug 29 |
| Amish Paste Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 18 – Aug 29 |
| Anaheim Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 21 – Aug 29 |
| Ancho Grande Hot Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 29 |
| Anna Russian Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 |
| Atkinson Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 24 |
| Aunt Ruby's German Green Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 24 |
| Banana Peppers | pepper | Apr 10 | Jun 12 | Aug 23 |
| Beefsteak Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 24 – Aug 29 |
| Better Boy Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 19 |
| Big Beef Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 |
| Big Bertha Peppers | pepper | Apr 10 | Jun 12 | Aug 21 – Aug 24 |
| Big Boy Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 22 |
| Big Rainbow Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 29 – Sep 8 |
| Black Cherry Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 8 – Aug 19 |
| Black From Tula Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 29 |
| Black Krim Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 24 |
| Black Pearl Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 9 |
| Blondkopfchen Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 24 |
| Bonny Best Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 24 |
| Bradley Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 24 |
| Brandywine Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 24 – Sep 3 |
| Calendula | flower | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Jul 25 – Aug 4 |
| California Wonder Peppers | pepper | Apr 10 | Jun 12 | Aug 23 – Aug 26 |
| Calypso Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 24 |
| Caribe Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 29 |
| Carmello Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 19 |
| Carmen Peppers | pepper | Apr 10 | Jun 12 | Aug 11 – Aug 31 |
| Casper Eggplant | vegetable | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 |
| Cayenne Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 29 |
| Celebrity Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 16 |
| Chadwick's Cherry Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Sep 3 |
| Cherokee Purple Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 22 – Aug 29 |
| Chinese 5-Color Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 29 |
| Chocolate Bell Sweet Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 9 – Aug 24 |
| Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 19 |
| Chocolate Stripes Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 24 |
| Costoluto Genovese Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 24 |
| Creole Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 22 |
| Cubanelle Peppers | pepper | Apr 10 | Jun 12 | Aug 13 – Aug 21 |
| Cupid Grape Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 9 – Aug 14 |
| Delicious Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 24 |
| Dolce Fresca Basil | herb | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 4 – Aug 14 |
| Early Girl Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Jul 27 – Aug 6 |
| Egg Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 24 |
| Emerald Giant Sweet Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 29 |
| Fish Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 24 |
| Five Star Grape Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 6 |
| Floradade Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 19 |
| Florida Market Eggplant | vegetable | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 24 – Sep 3 |
| Fresno Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 24 |
| Gardener's Delight Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 4 – Aug 19 |
| Genovese Basil | herb | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 4 – Aug 14 |
| German Johnson Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 29 |
| Glacier Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Jul 30 – Aug 2 |
| Gochugaru Korean Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 |
| Golden Marconi Sweet Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 9 – Aug 24 |
| Golden Sunray Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 24 |
| Green Envy Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 4 – Aug 14 |
| Green Grape Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 9 – Aug 22 |
| Green Zebra Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 22 |
| Gypsy Peppers | pepper | Apr 10 | Jun 12 | Aug 11 – Aug 16 |
| Hatch Green Chile (NM 6-4) Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 24 |
| Hillbilly Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 29 |
| Homestead Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 24 – Aug 29 |
| Honey Bee Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 4 |
| Indigo Rose Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Sep 3 |
| Jalapeño Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 9 – Aug 19 |
| Japanese Eggplant | vegetable | Apr 10 | Jun 5 | Jul 25 – Aug 9 |
| Jaune Flamme Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 24 |
| Jet Star Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 16 |
| Jimmy Nardello Peppers | pepper | Apr 10 | Jun 12 | Aug 31 – Sep 10 |
| Jubilee Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 24 |
| Juliet Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 3 – Aug 5 |
| Kapoor Tulsi (Holy Basil) | herb | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 4 |
| King Arthur Peppers | pepper | Apr 10 | Jun 12 | Aug 10 |
| Large Red Cherry Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 24 |
| Long Green Louisiana Eggplant | vegetable | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 9 – Aug 14 |
| Long Ping Tung Eggplant | vegetable | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Jul 30 – Aug 4 |
| Long Purple Italian Eggplant | vegetable | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 |
| Lunchbox Mini Peppers | pepper | Apr 10 | Jun 12 | Aug 6 – Aug 11 |
| Manitoba Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 10 |
| Marglobe Improved Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 24 |
| Marglobe Supreme Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 24 |
| Mariachi Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 10 – Aug 19 |
| Marion Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 24 |
| Midnight Snack Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 9 – Aug 14 |
| Money Maker Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 29 |
| Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 24 – Aug 29 |
| Mountain Magic Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 16 – Aug 19 |
| Mr. Stripey Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 24 |
| Mucho Nacho Jalapeño Peppers | pepper | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 12 – Aug 14 |
| Orange Horizon Sweet Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 24 |
| Orange Oxheart Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 29 |
| Oregon Spring Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 2 – Aug 14 |
| Padron Peppers | pepper | Apr 10 | Jun 12 | Aug 11 |
| Pandora Striped Eggplant | vegetable | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 24 |
| Pasilla de Oaxaca Hot Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 29 |
| Patio Princess Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 9 – Aug 14 |
| Pepperoncini Pepper | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 9 – Aug 19 |
| Pesto Perpetuo Basil | herb | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 4 – Sep 3 |
| Pimento Sweet Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 29 – Sep 3 |
| Pineapple Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 29 |
| Pink Delicious Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 24 – Aug 28 |
| Pink Oxheart Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 24 – Sep 3 |
| Pistou Basil | herb | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 4 |
| Poblano Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 9 |
| Ponderosa Red Beefsteak Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 24 – Sep 3 |
| Purple Beauty Sweet Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 19 |
| Red Cayenne Hot Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 29 |
| Red Cherry Hot Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 24 |
| Red Mushroom Hot Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 29 |
| Red Pear Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 9 – Aug 19 |
| Red Robin Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Jul 30 |
| Red Rubin Basil | herb | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 16 |
| Rio Grande Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 24 |
| Roma VF Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 24 |
| Round Mauve Eggplant | vegetable | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 24 – Sep 3 |
| Rutgers Tomato | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 24 |
| Sakura Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Jul 30 – Aug 4 |
| San Marzano Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 22 – Sep 1 |
| Santa Fe Grande Hot Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 24 |
| Serrano Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 24 |
| Shishito Peppers | pepper | Apr 10 | Jun 12 | Aug 11 – Aug 16 |
| Spicy Globe Basil | herb | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 |
| Stupice Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Jul 30 – Aug 14 |
| Sun Gold Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 1 – Aug 9 |
| Sunbright Yellow Sweet Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 24 |
| SunChocola Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 4 – Aug 14 |
| Sungella Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 4 – Aug 14 |
| Sunray Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet 100 Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 4 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet Alyssum | flower | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Jul 15 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet Million Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 4 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet Treats Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 9 – Aug 19 |
| Tabasco Hot Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 24 – Sep 3 |
| Thai Basil | herb | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 4 – Aug 9 |
| Thai Hot Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 29 |
| Thessaloniki Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 5 – Aug 16 |
| Tigerella Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Jul 30 – Aug 14 |
| Tiny Tim Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Jul 20 – Jul 30 |
| Tumbling Tom Red Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 9 – Aug 14 |
| Turkish Orange Eggplant | vegetable | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 29 – Sep 3 |
| VR Moscow Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 24 – Sep 3 |
| White Cherry Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| White Cloud Sweet Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 19 |
| Yellow Beefsteak Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 29 |
| Yellow Jalapeno (Caloro) Hot Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 29 |
| Yellow Mushroom Hot Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 19 – Aug 29 |
| Yellow Oxheart Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 23 |
| Yellow Pear Tomatoes | tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 24 |
| Yolo Wonder Sweet Peppers | pepper | Apr 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 24 |
Plant Outside in April
| Plant | Type | Action | Target Date | Harvest Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candy Onion | allium | Plant Out | Apr 17 | Jul 16 – Jul 26 |
| Dutch Yellow Shallots | allium | Plant Out | Apr 24 | Jul 23 – Aug 22 |
| French Red Shallots | allium | Plant Out | Apr 24 | Jul 23 – Aug 22 |
| Holland Red Shallots | allium | Plant Out | Apr 24 | Jul 23 – Aug 22 |
| King Richard Leek | allium | Transplant | Apr 24 | Jul 8 |
Harvest in April
Nothing to harvest in April for Zone 3A.
Next window: May — 2 varieties, including Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens, Speckled Pea Shoot Microgreens.
Key Tasks for April in Zone 3A
- 1 Start 195 varieties indoors this month under grow lights or in a sunny south-facing window. Use a seed-starting mix and bottom heat (70–75°F) for best germination rates.
- 2 Harden off transplants before moving outdoors — set them outside in a sheltered spot for increasing hours over 7–10 days before planting in the ground.
- 3 Check soil moisture before watering — stick a finger 2 inches into the soil. Water only when the soil is dry at that depth. Consistent moisture is more important than frequency.
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