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Zone 5A — April

What to Plant in April in Zone 5A

April in Zone 5A: 152 crops to start indoors, 190 to plant or direct sow outside, and 2 entering harvest window. Last frost averages May 7. Reference city: Minneapolis, MN.
Updated May 13, 2026 · Frost data from NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals
152 Start Indoors
190 Plant Outside
2 Harvest
Frost window: Active

This is when frost can still happen in Zone 5A. The last spring frost typically lands on May 7, with a 10% chance of frost as late as May 21. Plan transplants with this window in mind.

See full Zone 5A frost outlook

Start Indoors in April

Plant Type Start Indoors Transplant Outside Harvest Window
Abe Lincoln Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 19
Ace 55 Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 14
Amish Paste Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 3 – Aug 14
Anna Russian Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30
Atkinson Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 9
Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry vegetable Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 19
Aunt Ruby's German Green Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 9
Basil Herb Mix herb Apr 9 May 14 Jul 13 – Aug 2
Better Boy Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 4
Big Beef Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30
Big Boy Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 7
Big Rainbow Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 14 – Aug 24
Bitter melons vegetable Apr 23 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 19
Black Beauty Zucchini squash Apr 20 May 18 Jul 2 – Jul 12
Black Cherry Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 24 – Aug 4
Black From Tula Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 14
Black Krim Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Black Pearl Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 25
Blondkopfchen Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Bonny Best Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Bradley Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Broccolini brassica Apr 16 May 21 Jul 10 – Jul 20
Brussels Sprouts brassica Apr 16 May 21 Aug 14 – Sep 8
Calendula flower Apr 2 May 21 Jul 10 – Jul 20
Calypso Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Caribe Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 14
Carmello Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 4
Celebrity Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 1
Chadwick's Cherry Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 19
Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 4
Chocolate Stripes Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 9
Cinnamon Basil herb Apr 9 May 14 Jul 18 – Aug 2
Classic Tomatillos vegetable Apr 9 May 14 Aug 2 – Aug 7
Clemson Spineless Okra vegetable Apr 16 May 21 Jul 15 – Jul 24
Cosmos flower Apr 16 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 19
Costoluto Genovese Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 9
Crackerjack Mix Marigolds flower Apr 2 May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 21
Creole Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 7
Crimson Sweet Watermelon melon Apr 23 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 19
Culinary Turmeric root vegetable Apr 2 May 28 Jan 23, 2027 – Mar 24, 2027
Cupid Grape Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 25 – Jul 30
Dark Opal Basil herb Apr 2 May 21 Jul 20 – Aug 4
Delica Kabocha Squash squash Apr 23 May 21 Aug 24 – Sep 8
Delicata Squash squash Apr 23 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 29
Delicious Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Dolce Fresca Basil herb Apr 2 May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Early Girl Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 12 – Jul 22
Early White Bush Scallop Pattypan Squash squash Apr 23 May 21 Jul 7 – Jul 15
Egg Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Five Star Grape Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 22
Floradade Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 4
French Marigold flower Apr 16 May 21 Jul 10 – Jul 20
Gardener's Delight Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 20 – Aug 4
Genovese Basil herb Apr 2 May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 30
German Chamomile herb Apr 16 May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 25
German Johnson Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 14
Ginger root vegetable Apr 2 May 28 Jan 23, 2027 – Mar 24, 2027
Glacier Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 15 – Jul 18
Golden Sunray Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Greek Basil herb Apr 9 May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 28
Green Cabbage brassica Apr 16 May 21 Jul 20 – Aug 29
Green Envy Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Green Grape Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 25 – Aug 7
Green shiso leaves herb Apr 9 May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 23
Green Zebra Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 7
Hale's Best Jumbo Cantaloupe melon Apr 23 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 19
Hillbilly Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 14
Homestead Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 14
Honey Bee Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 20
Indigo Rose Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 19
Italian Large Leaf Basil herb Apr 9 May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 28
Jack O'Lantern Pumpkin squash Apr 23 May 21 Aug 19 – Sep 8
Jaune Flamme Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 9
Jet Star Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 1
Jubilee Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Juliet Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 19 – Jul 21
Kapoor Tulsi (Holy Basil) herb Apr 2 May 21 Jul 20
Large Red Cherry Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 9
Lemon Cucumber cucumber Apr 30 May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Lettuce Leaf Basil herb Apr 9 May 14 Jul 18 – Aug 2
Licorice Basil herb Apr 9 May 14 Jul 18 – Aug 2
Lime Basil herb Apr 9 May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 28
Luffa gourds vegetable Apr 16 May 21 Aug 29 – Sep 18
Manitoba Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 26
Marglobe Improved Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 1
Marglobe Supreme Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 9
Marion Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Marketmore 76 Cucumber cucumber Apr 23 May 21 Jul 18 – Jul 28
Midnight Snack Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 25 – Jul 30
Money Maker Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 14
Mountain Magic Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 1 – Aug 4
Mr. Stripey Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 9
Mucho Nacho Jalapeño Peppers pepper Apr 2 May 21 Jul 28 – Jul 30
Napoletano Basil herb Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4
National Pickling Cucumber cucumber Apr 30 May 21 Jul 10 – Jul 18
Orange Oxheart Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 14
Oregon Spring Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 18 – Jul 30
Orion Florence Fennel vegetable Apr 9 May 14 Aug 2
Patio Princess Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 25 – Jul 30
Pineapple Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 14
Pink Delicious Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 13
Pink Oxheart Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 19
Pistou Basil herb Apr 2 May 21 Jul 20
Ponderosa Red Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 19
Purple Basil herb Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 14
Purple Tomatillos vegetable Apr 9 May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 7
Red Cabbage brassica Apr 16 May 21 Jul 20 – Aug 29
Red Pear Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 25 – Aug 4
Red Robin Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 15
Red Rubin Basil herb Apr 2 May 21 Aug 1
Red Velvet Leaf Basil herb Apr 9 May 14 Jul 18 – Aug 2
Rio Grande Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Roma VF Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Romanesco brassica Apr 16 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 29
Roselle calyces and leaves vegetable Apr 9 May 14 Oct 11 – Nov 10
Rutgers Tomato tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 9
Sakura Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Scarlet Sage Flowers flower Apr 9 May 14 Perennial — see plant page
Snow Crown Cauliflower brassica Apr 16 May 21 Jul 10 – Jul 20
Spaghetti Squash squash Apr 23 May 21 Aug 17 – Aug 29
Sparky Mix Marigolds flower Apr 2 May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 16
Spicy Globe Basil herb Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30
Stevia herb Apr 2 May 21 Perennial — see plant page
Stupice Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 15 – Jul 30
Sugar Baby Watermelon melon Apr 23 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Sugar Pie Pumpkin squash Apr 23 May 21 Aug 19 – Sep 8
Sun Gold Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 17 – Jul 25
SunChocola Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Sungella Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Sunray Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 9
Sweet 100 Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 25
Sweet Alyssum flower Apr 2 May 21 Jun 30 – Jul 15
Sweet Million Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 25
Sweet Treats Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 25 – Aug 4
Table Queen Acorn Squash squash Apr 23 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 29
Thai Basil herb Apr 2 May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 25
Thessaloniki Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 21 – Aug 1
Tigerella Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 15 – Jul 30
Tiny Tim Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 5 – Jul 15
Tomatillo vegetable Apr 16 May 21 Jul 20 – Aug 14
Tri-X 313 Seedless Watermelon melon Apr 16 May 21 Jul 25 – Aug 4
Tumbling Tom Red Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 25 – Jul 30
Verde Tomatillos vegetable Apr 9 May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 7
VR Moscow Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 19
Waltham 29 Broccoli brassica Apr 16 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 19
Waltham Butternut Squash squash Apr 23 May 21 Aug 29 – Sep 18
White Cherry Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 19 – Jul 30
Yellow Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 4 – Aug 14
Yellow Crookneck Squash squash Apr 23 May 21 Jul 10 – Jul 20
Yellow Oxheart Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Aug 8
Yellow Pear Tomatoes tomato Apr 2 May 21 Jul 30 – Aug 9
Zinnia flower Apr 16 May 21 Jul 20 – Aug 19

Plant Outside in April

Plant Type Action Target Date Harvest Window
AC Wendy Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Albion Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Alfalfa Cover Crop cover crop Direct Sow Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
All Season Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 23 Jul 2 – Jul 12
All Year Round Cauliflower brassica Transplant Apr 23 Jun 27
All Year Round Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 10 – Jun 19
Allstar Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
America Spinach lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 20 – Jun 1
Astro Arugula lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Apr 28 – May 17
Berry Blue honeyberry shrubs berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 22 – May 23
Blonde de Paris Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 27 – Jun 6
Bloomsdale Longstanding Spinach lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 22 – May 29
Blue Curled Scotch Kale lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 1 – Jun 6
Blue Flax Flowers flower Direct Sow Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Bluecrop Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Bluegold Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Blueray Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Bok Choy lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 22 – Jun 6
Bouquet Dill herb Direct Sow Apr 23 Jun 12 – Jun 27
Broadleaf Classic Endive lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 27 – Jun 6
Broadleaf Full Heart Batavian Endive lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Broadleaf Sorrel lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Perennial — see plant page
Brunswick Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 23 Jul 22
Burgundy Boston Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 27 – Jun 1
Buttercrunch Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 23 – Jun 1
Butterhead Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 27 – Jun 11
Calabrese Broccoli brassica Transplant Apr 23 Jun 27
Canary Yellow Swiss Chard lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 27 – Jun 6
Candy Onion allium Plant Out Apr 2 Jul 1 – Jul 11
Caraway herb Direct Sow Apr 16 Perennial — see plant page
Carentan Leeks allium Transplant Apr 23 Jul 22 – Aug 11
Catalogna Chicory lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 1
Chandler Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Chandler Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Charleston Wakefield Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 16 Jun 25
Chervil herb Direct Sow Apr 16 May 21 – May 31
Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) brassica Direct Sow Apr 7 May 27 – Jun 16
Chinese Forget-Me-Not Flowers flower Direct Sow Apr 23 Jun 27 – Jul 17
Common Milkweed Flowers flower Direct Sow Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Concord grape vines berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Copenhagen Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 23 Jun 27
Crimson Cherry Rhubarb Root vegetable Plant Out Apr 9 Perennial — see plant page
Crisphead Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 14 – Jun 21
Curly Kale lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 1 – Jun 11
Dandelion herb Direct Sow Apr 16 Perennial — see plant page
Danish Ballhead Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 23 Aug 1 – Aug 11
Dark Green Italian Giant Parsley herb Direct Sow Apr 23 Jun 22 – Jul 7
Dark Green Romaine Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 6 – Jun 16
Delicatesse Blue Kohlrabi brassica Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 1 – Jun 6
Delicatesse White Kohlrabi brassica Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 1 – Jun 6
Di Cicco Broccoli brassica Transplant Apr 23 Jun 7 – Jun 10
Drumhead Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 23 Jul 22 – Aug 1
Dukat Dill herb Direct Sow Apr 23 Jun 2 – Jun 12
Duke Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Dutch Lamb's Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 17 – May 27
Dutch Yellow Shallots allium Plant Out Apr 9 Jul 8 – Aug 7
Dwarf Siberian Kale lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 27 – Jun 1
Earliglow Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 16 Jun 20 – Jun 30
Early Purple Broccoli brassica Transplant Apr 23 Jun 27
Elliott Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Endive / Escarole lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 22 – Jun 11
Evergreen Parsley herb Direct Sow Apr 23 Jul 2 – Jul 17
Fairy Dwarf Mix Candytuft Flowers flower Direct Sow Apr 30 Jun 14 – Jun 24
Fenugreek herb Direct Sow Apr 23 May 28 – Jun 12
Florida Broadleaf Mustard lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 17 – May 27
Fordhook Giant Swiss Chard lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 22 – Jun 1
Fort Laramie Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Foxglove Flowers flower Direct Sow Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
French Lamb's Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 17 – May 27
French Red Shallots allium Plant Out Apr 9 Jul 8 – Aug 7
Georgia Southern Collard Greens lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 16 – Jul 1
Giant Imperial Mix Larkspur Flowers flower Direct Sow Apr 16 Jul 25 – Aug 14
Giant Musselburgh Leeks allium Transplant Apr 23 Aug 6
Giant Red Mustard lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 22
Glory of Enkhuizen Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 23 Jul 22
Golden Acre Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 23 Jun 27
Green Ice Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 22
Green Mountain Celtuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 27
Green Onion allium Transplant Apr 2 Perennial — see plant page
Green Wave Mustard lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 22
Hamburg Rooted Parsley herb Direct Sow Apr 23 Jul 22 – Aug 11
Hard Red Wheat Cover Crop cover crop Direct Sow Apr 16 Jun 30 – Jul 20
Heritage Raspberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Holland Red Shallots allium Plant Out Apr 9 Jul 8 – Aug 7
Honeoye Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Honeycrisp apple trees berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Hot Pink Swiss Chard lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 27 – Jun 6
Iceberg Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 14 – Jun 21
Igloo Cauliflower brassica Transplant Apr 23 Jun 27 – Jul 2
Invicta gooseberry shrubs berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Issai hardy kiwi vines berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Jersey Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Jersey Knight Asparagus vegetable Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Jewel Strawberries berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Kagraner Sommer Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 4
King Richard Leek allium Transplant Apr 9 Jun 23
King's Cure-All Evening Primrose Flowers flower Direct Sow Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Lacinato Kale lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 6 – Jun 11
Large Leaf Sorrel lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Perennial — see plant page
Leaf Lettuce Mix lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 22 – Jun 1
Leek allium Transplant Apr 9 Jul 18 – Aug 17
Legacy Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Little Gem Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 27 – Jun 2
Lollo Bionda Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 27 – Jun 6
Lollo Rossa Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 30 – Jun 2
Lunaria Silver Dollar Flowers flower Direct Sow Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Magenta Sunset Swiss Chard lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 1 – Jun 6
Mammoth Dill herb Direct Sow Apr 23 Jun 7 – Jun 27
Mara des Bois Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Marvel of Four Seasons Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 22 – Jun 6
Mary Washington Asparagus vegetable Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Matador Viking Spinach lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 22 – May 25
Medium Red Clover Cover Crop cover crop Direct Sow Apr 23 Jun 22 – Jul 7
Mesclun Mix lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Apr 28 – May 7
Michihili Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 16 Jun 25
Millennium Asparagus vegetable Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Mizuna lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 17 – May 27
Monstrueux de Viroflay Spinach lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 22 – May 27
Morris Heading Collard lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 21 – Jun 26
Mustard Greens lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 12 – May 27
Mâche (Corn Salad) lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 6 – Jun 30
Napa Cabbage brassica Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 6 – Jun 16
New England Aster Flowers flower Direct Sow Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
New Zealand Spinach lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 27 – Jun 6
Noble Giant Spinach lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 23 – May 27
Northblue Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Northland Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
OG American Flag Leeks allium Transplant Apr 23 Jul 22 – Aug 1
Old Fashion Mustard lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 22 – May 27
Orange Swiss Chard lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 22 – Jun 1
Ozark Beauty Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Patriot Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Premier Kale lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 27 – Jun 6
Purple Passion Asparagus vegetable Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Quinault Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Radicchio lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 6 – Jul 1
Rainbow Mix Swiss Chard lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 27 – Jun 6
Rapeseed Cover Crop cover crop Direct Sow Apr 23 Jun 7 – Jul 2
Rapini Broccoli Raab brassica Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 11
Raspberry Shortcake berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Red Acre Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 16 Jun 30 – Jul 5
Red Lake currant shrubs berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Red Leaf Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 22 – Jun 1
Red Orach lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 22
Red Romaine Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 6 – Jun 16
Red Russian Kale lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 17 – May 27
Red Vein Sorrel lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Perennial — see plant page
Red-Stem Malabar Spinach lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 1 – Jun 16
Romaine Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 11 – Jun 21
Royal Carpet Alyssum Flowers flower Direct Sow Apr 30 Jun 14 – Jun 29
Ruby Red Swiss Chard lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 1 – Jun 6
Salad Bowl Green Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 26 – May 27
Salad Burnet herb Direct Sow Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
San Andreas Strawberries berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Savoy Perfection Cabbage brassica Transplant Apr 23 Jul 22 – Jul 27
Scarlet Flax Flowers flower Direct Sow Apr 23 Jun 17 – Jul 2
Seascape Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Shallot allium Plant Out Apr 16 Jul 15 – Aug 14
Shungiku (Edible Chrysanthemum) lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 17 – Jun 1
Smooth Blue Aster Flowers flower Direct Sow Apr 30 Perennial — see plant page
Snowball Self-Blanche Cauliflower brassica Transplant Apr 23 Jun 27
Sparkle Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Summer Bibb Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 1 – Jun 6
Surecrop Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Swiss Chard lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 27 – Jun 6
Tango Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 23
Tatsoi lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 2 – May 22
Tendergreen Mustard lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 17 – May 27
Tom Thumb Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 27 – Jun 16
Top Hat Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Toro Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Tristar Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Très Fine Maraîchère Frisée lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 6
Tuscany Black Kale lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 6 – Jun 21
Vates Collard lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 6 – Jun 21
Vates Kale lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 27 – Jun 1
Verona Red Chicory lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jul 1 – Jul 8
Victoria Rhubarb vegetable Transplant Apr 23 Perennial — see plant page
Vienna Purple Kohlrabi brassica Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 1 – Jun 11
Vienna White Kohlrabi brassica Direct Sow Apr 7 Jun 1
Viola and pansy edible flowers flower Transplant Apr 23 Jun 22 – Jul 2
Violetta Purple Cauliflower brassica Transplant Apr 23 Jun 27
White Boston Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 17 – May 27
Winner Kohlrabi brassica Direct Sow Apr 7 May 22 – May 27
Winter Density Lettuce lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 31 – Jun 6
Winter Giant Spinach lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 May 22 – May 27
Witloof White Chicory lettuce Direct Sow Apr 7 Jul 26 – Aug 15
Yellow Sweet Blossom Clover Cover Crop cover crop Direct Sow Apr 23 Jun 22 – Jul 22

Harvest in April

Plant Type Planted / Sown Harvest Window
Astro Arugula lettuce Apr 7 Apr 28 – May 17
Mesclun Mix lettuce Apr 7 Apr 28 – May 7

Key Tasks for April in Zone 5A

  1. 1 Start 152 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.
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