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Zone 4A — April

What to Plant in April in Zone 4A

April in Zone 4A: 167 crops to start indoors, 89 to plant or direct sow outside, and 0 entering harvest window. Last frost averages May 14. Reference city: Fargo, ND.
Updated August 12, 2026 · Frost data from NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals
167 Start Indoors
89 Plant Outside
0 Harvest
Frost risk: High

Frost risk is still high in Zone 4A. The last spring frost typically lands on May 14, with the earliest plausible clearance around May 1. Hold tender crops indoors a while longer.

See full Zone 4A frost outlook

Start Indoors in April

Plant Type Start Indoors Transplant Outside Harvest Window
Abe Lincoln Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 16 – Aug 26
Ace 55 Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 16 – Aug 21
Amish Paste Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 10 – Aug 21
Anna Russian Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 6
Atkinson Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 6 – Aug 16
Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry vegetable Apr 9 May 28 Aug 6 – Aug 26
Aunt Ruby's German Green Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 16
Basil Herb Mix herb Apr 16 May 21 Jul 20 – Aug 9
Better Boy Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 6 – Aug 11
Big Beef Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 6
Big Boy Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 14
Big Rainbow Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 21 – Aug 31
Bitter melons vegetable Apr 30 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 26
Black Beauty Zucchini squash Apr 27 May 25 Jul 9 – Jul 19
Black Cherry Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 31 – Aug 11
Black From Tula Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 21
Black Pearl Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 1
Blondkopfchen Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 16
Bonny Best Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 16
Bradley Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 16
Broccolini brassica Apr 23 May 28 Jul 17 – Jul 27
Brussels Sprouts brassica Apr 23 May 28 Aug 21 – Sep 15
Calendula flower Apr 9 May 28 Jul 17 – Jul 27
Calypso Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 16
Caribe Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 21
Carmello Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 6 – Aug 11
Celebrity Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 6 – Aug 8
Chadwick's Cherry Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 6 – Aug 26
Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 6 – Aug 11
Chocolate Stripes Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 16
Cinnamon Basil herb Apr 16 May 21 Jul 25 – Aug 9
Classic Tomatillos vegetable Apr 16 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 14
Common Sage herb Apr 2 May 21 Perennial — see plant page
Cosmos flower Apr 23 May 28 Aug 6 – Aug 26
Costoluto Genovese Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 6 – Aug 16
Crackerjack Mix Marigolds flower Apr 9 May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 28
Crego Mix Aster Flowers flower Apr 2 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 19
Creole Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 6 – Aug 14
Cupid Grape Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 1 – Aug 6
Dark Opal Basil herb Apr 9 May 28 Jul 27 – Aug 11
Delica Kabocha Squash squash Apr 30 May 28 Aug 31 – Sep 15
Delicata Squash squash Apr 30 May 28 Aug 16 – Sep 5
Delicious Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 16
Dolce Fresca Basil herb Apr 9 May 28 Jul 27 – Aug 6
Early Girl Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 19 – Jul 29
Early White Bush Scallop Pattypan Squash squash Apr 30 May 28 Jul 14 – Jul 22
Egg Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 16
Five Star Grape Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 29
Floradade Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 6 – Aug 11
French Marigold flower Apr 23 May 28 Jul 17 – Jul 27
Gardener's Delight Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 27 – Aug 11
Genovese Basil herb Apr 9 May 28 Jul 27 – Aug 6
German Johnson Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 21
Glacier Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 22 – Jul 25
Golden Sunray Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 16
Greek Basil herb Apr 16 May 21 Jul 25 – Aug 4
Green Cabbage brassica Apr 23 May 28 Jul 27 – Sep 5
Green Envy Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 27 – Aug 6
Green Grape Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 1 – Aug 14
Green shiso leaves herb Apr 16 May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Hale's Best Jumbo Cantaloupe melon Apr 30 May 28 Aug 16 – Aug 26
Hillbilly Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 21
Homestead Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 16 – Aug 21
Honey Bee Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 27
Indigo Rose Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 26
Isis Candy Cherry Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 9
Italian Large Leaf Basil herb Apr 16 May 21 Jul 20 – Aug 4
Jack O'Lantern Pumpkin squash Apr 30 May 28 Aug 26 – Sep 15
Japanese Eggplant vegetable Apr 2 May 28 Jul 17 – Aug 1
Jaune Flamme Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 16
Jet Star Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 6 – Aug 8
Jubilee Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 16
Juliet Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 26 – Jul 28
Kapoor Tulsi (Holy Basil) herb Apr 9 May 28 Jul 27
Kellogg's Breakfast tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 14
Large Red Cherry Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 6 – Aug 16
Lettuce Leaf Basil herb Apr 16 May 21 Jul 25 – Aug 9
Licorice Basil herb Apr 16 May 21 Jul 25 – Aug 9
Lime Basil herb Apr 16 May 21 Jul 25 – Aug 4
Luffa gourds vegetable Apr 23 May 28 Sep 5 – Sep 25
Manitoba Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 2
Marglobe Improved Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 6 – Aug 16
Marglobe Supreme Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 6 – Aug 16
Marion Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 16
Marketmore 76 Cucumber cucumber Apr 30 May 28 Jul 25 – Aug 4
Matt's Wild Cherry Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 15 – Jul 25
Midnight Snack Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 1 – Aug 6
Money Maker Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 21
Mountain Magic Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 8 – Aug 11
Mr. Stripey Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 16
Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil herb Apr 2 May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Mucho Nacho Jalapeño Peppers pepper Apr 9 May 28 Aug 4 – Aug 6
Napoletano Basil herb Apr 9 May 28 Aug 11
Orange Oxheart Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 21
Oregon Spring Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 25 – Aug 6
Orion Florence Fennel vegetable Apr 16 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 19
Patio Princess Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 1 – Aug 6
Paul Robeson tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 14
Pesto Perpetuo Basil herb Apr 9 May 28 Jul 27 – Aug 26
Pineapple Tomatillos vegetable Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 9
Pineapple Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 21
Pink Delicious Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 16 – Aug 20
Pink Oxheart Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 16 – Aug 26
Pistou Basil herb Apr 9 May 28 Jul 27
Ponderosa Red Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 16 – Aug 26
Powderpuff Aster Flowers flower Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 14
Purple Basil herb Apr 9 May 28 Aug 6 – Aug 21
Purple Tomatillos vegetable Apr 16 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 14
Red Cabbage brassica Apr 23 May 28 Jul 27 – Sep 5
Red Pear Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 1 – Aug 11
Red Robin Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 22
Red Rubin Basil herb Apr 9 May 28 Aug 8
Red Velvet Leaf Basil herb Apr 16 May 21 Jul 25 – Aug 9
Rio Grande Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 16
Roma VF Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 16
Romanesco brassica Apr 23 May 28 Aug 11 – Sep 5
Rutgers Tomato tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 6 – Aug 16
Sakura Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 22 – Jul 27
Scarlet Sage Flowers flower Apr 16 May 21 Perennial — see plant page
Single Mix China Aster Flowers flower Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 9
Snow Crown Cauliflower brassica Apr 23 May 28 Jul 17 – Jul 27
Soapwort flower Apr 2 May 21 Perennial — see plant page
Spaghetti Squash squash Apr 30 May 28 Aug 24 – Sep 5
Sparky Mix Marigolds flower Apr 9 May 14 Jul 8 – Jul 23
Spicy Globe Basil herb Apr 9 May 28 Aug 6
Stevia herb Apr 9 May 28 Perennial — see plant page
Stupice Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 22 – Aug 6
Sugar Baby Watermelon melon Apr 30 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 16
Sugar Pie Pumpkin squash Apr 30 May 28 Aug 26 – Sep 15
Sun Gold Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 24 – Aug 1
SunChocola Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 27 – Aug 6
Sungella Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 27 – Aug 6
Sunray Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 16
Sweet 100 Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 27 – Aug 1
Sweet Alyssum flower Apr 9 May 28 Jul 7 – Jul 22
Sweet Marjoram herb Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 19
Sweet Million Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 27 – Aug 1
Sweet Treats Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 1 – Aug 11
Table Queen Acorn Squash squash Apr 30 May 28 Aug 16 – Sep 5
Thai Basil herb Apr 9 May 28 Jul 27 – Aug 1
Thessaloniki Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 28 – Aug 8
Tigerella Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 22 – Aug 6
Tiny Tim Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 12 – Jul 22
Tomatillo vegetable Apr 23 May 28 Jul 27 – Aug 21
Tri-X 313 Seedless Watermelon melon Apr 23 May 28 Aug 1 – Aug 11
Tropical Milkweed Flowers flower Apr 2 May 21 Perennial — see plant page
Tumbling Tom Red Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 1 – Aug 6
Verde Tomatillos vegetable Apr 16 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 14
VR Moscow Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 16 – Aug 26
Waltham 29 Broccoli brassica Apr 23 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 26
Waltham Butternut Squash squash Apr 30 May 28 Sep 5 – Sep 25
White Cherry Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Jul 26 – Aug 6
Yellow Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 11 – Aug 21
Yellow Crookneck Squash squash Apr 30 May 28 Jul 17 – Jul 27
Yellow Oxheart Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 15
Yellow Pear Tomatoes tomato Apr 9 May 28 Aug 6 – Aug 16
Zinnia flower Apr 23 May 28 Jul 27 – Aug 26
Banana Peppers pepper Apr 2 Jun 4 Aug 15
Big Bertha Peppers pepper Apr 2 Jun 4 Aug 13 – Aug 16
California Wonder Peppers pepper Apr 2 Jun 4 Aug 15 – Aug 18
Carmen Peppers pepper Apr 2 Jun 4 Aug 3 – Aug 23
Cubanelle Peppers pepper Apr 2 Jun 4 Aug 5 – Aug 13
Gypsy Peppers pepper Apr 2 Jun 4 Aug 3 – Aug 8
King Arthur Peppers pepper Apr 2 Jun 4 Aug 2
Lunchbox Mini Peppers pepper Apr 2 Jun 4 Jul 29 – Aug 3
Padron Peppers pepper Apr 2 Jun 4 Aug 3
Shishito Peppers pepper Apr 2 Jun 4 Aug 3 – Aug 8

Plant Outside in April

Plant Type Action Target Date Harvest Window
AC Wendy Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Albion Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
All Season Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 19
All Year Round Cauliflower brassica Transplant Apr 30 Jul 4
Allstar Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Berry Blue honeyberry shrubs berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Blue Flax Flowers flower Direct Sow Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Bluecrop Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Bluegold Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Blueray Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Bouquet Dill herb Direct Sow Apr 30 Jun 19 – Jul 4
Brunswick Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 30 Jul 29
Calabrese Broccoli brassica Transplant Apr 30 Jul 4
Candy Onion allium Plant Out Apr 9 Jul 8 – Jul 18
Caraway herb Direct Sow Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Carentan Leeks allium Transplant Apr 30 Jul 29 – Aug 18
Chandler Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Charleston Wakefield Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 23 Jul 2
Chervil herb Direct Sow Apr 23 May 28 – Jun 7
Chinese Forget-Me-Not Flowers flower Direct Sow Apr 30 Jul 4 – Jul 24
Concord grape vines berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Copenhagen Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 30 Jul 4
Crimson Cherry Rhubarb Root vegetable Plant Out Apr 16 Perennial — see plant page
Dandelion herb Direct Sow Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Danish Ballhead Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 30 Aug 8 – Aug 18
Dark Green Italian Giant Parsley herb Direct Sow Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 14
Di Cicco Broccoli brassica Transplant Apr 30 Jun 14 – Jun 17
Drumhead Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 30 Jul 29 – Aug 8
Dukat Dill herb Direct Sow Apr 30 Jun 9 – Jun 19
Duke Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Dutch Yellow Shallots allium Plant Out Apr 16 Jul 15 – Aug 14
Earliglow Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 23 Jun 27 – Jul 7
Early Purple Broccoli brassica Transplant Apr 30 Jul 4
Elliott Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Evergreen Parsley herb Direct Sow Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 24
Fenugreek herb Direct Sow Apr 30 Jun 4 – Jun 19
Fort Laramie Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
French Red Shallots allium Plant Out Apr 16 Jul 15 – Aug 14
Giant Imperial Mix Larkspur Flowers flower Direct Sow Apr 23 Aug 1 – Aug 21
Giant Musselburgh Leeks allium Transplant Apr 30 Aug 13
Glory of Enkhuizen Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 30 Jul 29
Golden Acre Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 30 Jul 4
Green Onion allium Transplant Apr 9 Perennial — see plant page
Hamburg Rooted Parsley herb Direct Sow Apr 30 Jul 29 – Aug 18
Hard Red Wheat Cover Crop cover crop Direct Sow Apr 23 Jul 7 – Jul 27
Heritage Raspberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Holland Red Shallots allium Plant Out Apr 16 Jul 15 – Aug 14
Honeoye Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Honeycrisp apple trees berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Igloo Cauliflower brassica Transplant Apr 30 Jul 4 – Jul 9
Invicta gooseberry shrubs berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Jersey Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Jersey Knight Asparagus vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Jewel Strawberries berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
King Richard Leek allium Transplant Apr 16 Jun 30
Leek allium Transplant Apr 16 Jul 25 – Aug 24
Legacy Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Mammoth Dill herb Direct Sow Apr 30 Jun 14 – Jul 4
Mara des Bois Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Mary Washington Asparagus vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Medium Red Clover Cover Crop cover crop Direct Sow Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 14
Michihili Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 23 Jul 2
Millennium Asparagus vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Northblue Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Northland Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
OG American Flag Leeks allium Transplant Apr 30 Jul 29 – Aug 8
Ozark Beauty Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Patriot Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Purple Passion Asparagus vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Quinault Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Rapeseed Cover Crop cover crop Direct Sow Apr 30 Jun 14 – Jul 9
Raspberry Shortcake berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Red Acre Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 23 Jul 7 – Jul 12
Red Lake currant shrubs berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
San Andreas Strawberries berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Savoy Perfection Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 30 Jul 29 – Aug 3
Scarlet Flax Flowers flower Direct Sow Apr 30 Jun 24 – Jul 9
Shallot allium Plant Out Apr 23 Jul 22 – Aug 21
Snowball Self-Blanche Cauliflower brassica Transplant Apr 30 Jul 4
Sparkle Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Surecrop Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Top Hat Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Toro Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Tristar Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Victoria Rhubarb vegetable Transplant Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Viola and pansy edible flowers flower Transplant Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 9
Violetta Purple Cauliflower brassica Transplant Apr 30 Jul 4
Yellow Sweet Blossom Clover Cover Crop cover crop Direct Sow Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 29

Harvest in April

Nothing to harvest in April for Zone 4A.
Next window: May — 7 varieties, including Astro Arugula, Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens, Chervil.

Key Tasks for April in Zone 4A

  1. 1 Start 167 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. 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. 3 Direct sow seeds at the recommended depth and spacing. Keep the seedbed consistently moist until germination is complete.
  4. 4 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.
Back to full Zone 4A planting calendar
March April in Zone 4A May

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