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Zone 5A — April

What to Plant in April in Zone 5A

April in Zone 5A: 70 crops to start indoors, 96 to plant or direct sow outside, and 3 entering harvest window. Last frost averages April 30. Reference city: Des Moines, IA.
70 Start Indoors
96 Plant Outside
3 Harvest

Start Indoors in April

Plant Type Start Indoors Transplant Outside Harvest Window
Daikon Radishes daikon radish Apr 9 Apr 16 May 31 – Jun 10
Amish Paste Tomatoes tomato Apr 16 May 14 Jul 27 – Aug 7
Anaheim Peppers pepper Apr 9 May 14 Jul 30 – Aug 7
Armenian Cucumber cucumber Apr 23 May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Banana Peppers pepper Apr 16 May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Better Boy Tomatoes tomato Apr 23 May 14 Jul 23 – Jul 28
Bhut Jolokia Ghost Pepper pepper Apr 9 May 14 Aug 12 – Sep 11
Big Jim Hatch Chile pepper Apr 9 May 14 Jul 23 – Jul 28
Black Beauty Zucchini vegetable Apr 13 May 11 Jun 25 – Jul 5
Black Cherry Tomato tomato Apr 16 May 14 Jul 17 – Jul 28
Broccolini vegetable Apr 9 May 14 Jul 3 – Jul 23
Brussels Sprouts vegetable Apr 9 May 14 Aug 7 – Sep 1
Butternut Squash vegetable Apr 16 May 14 Aug 22 – Sep 11
California Wonder Peppers pepper Apr 16 May 21 Aug 1 – Aug 4
Cantaloupe vegetable Apr 16 May 14 Aug 2 – Aug 12
Caribbean Red Scotch Bonnet Pepper pepper Apr 9 May 14 Aug 17 – Sep 11
Cayenne Peppers pepper Apr 9 May 14 Aug 7 – Aug 17
Corno di Toro Pepper pepper Apr 9 May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Cubanelle Peppers pepper Apr 16 May 21 Jul 22 – Jul 30
Culinary Turmeric turmeric Apr 23 May 21 Jan 16 – Mar 17
Cupid Grape Tomato tomato Apr 23 May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 23
Eight Ball Zucchini zucchini Apr 23 May 7 Jun 21 – Jul 1
Epazote epazote Apr 16 May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 11
Fresno Peppers pepper Apr 9 May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Genovese Basil herb Apr 16 May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 23
Ginger ginger Apr 23 May 21 Jan 16 – Mar 17
Gold Rush Zucchini zucchini Apr 23 May 7 Jun 21 – Jun 26
Green Cabbage vegetable Apr 9 May 14 Jul 13 – Aug 22
Green Fingers Persian Cucumber cucumber Apr 23 May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Habanero Pepper pepper Apr 9 May 21 Aug 19 – Sep 18
Heirloom Red Kuri Squash winter squash Apr 23 May 7 Aug 5 – Aug 15
Honeydew Melon vegetable Apr 16 May 14 Aug 22 – Sep 6
Hungarian Hot Wax Pepper pepper Apr 9 May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 28
Jalapeño Peppers pepper Apr 9 May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 28
Jimmy Nardello Peppers pepper Apr 16 May 21 Aug 9 – Aug 19
Juliet Tomatoes tomato Apr 23 May 14 Jul 12 – Jul 14
King Arthur Peppers pepper Apr 16 May 21 Jul 22 – Jul 28
Lunchbox Mini Peppers pepper Apr 16 May 21 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Marketmore 76 Cucumber vegetable Apr 16 May 14 Jul 11 – Jul 21
Midnight Snack Tomato tomato Apr 16 May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 23
Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil basil Apr 9 May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Mucho Nacho Jalapeño Peppers pepper Apr 16 May 14 Jul 21 – Jul 23
New Zealand Spinach new zealand spinach Apr 23 May 7 Jun 26 – Jul 6
Orion Florence Fennel fennel Apr 16 May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 5
Padron Peppers pepper Apr 16 May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 25
Patio Princess Tomatoes tomato Apr 23 May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 23
Poblano Peppers pepper Apr 9 May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 28
Purple Basil herb Apr 16 May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 7
Red Cabbage vegetable Apr 9 May 14 Jul 23 – Sep 1
Red-Stem Malabar Spinach malabar spinach Apr 23 May 14 Jul 8 – Jul 23
Romanesco vegetable Apr 9 May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 22
Rutgers Tomato tomato Apr 16 May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 2
Serrano Peppers pepper Apr 9 May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 2
Shishito Peppers pepper Apr 16 May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 25
Snow Crown Cauliflower vegetable Apr 9 May 14 Jul 3 – Jul 13
Spacemaster Bush Cucumber cucumber Apr 23 May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 11
Straight Eight Cucumber cucumber Apr 23 May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 11
Sugar Baby Watermelon vegetable Apr 16 May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Sun Gold Tomatoes tomato Apr 23 May 14 Jul 10 – Jul 18
Sunshine Kabocha Squash winter squash Apr 23 May 7 Aug 10 – Aug 15
Supersweet 100 Tomatoes tomato Apr 23 May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 18
Sweet 100 Tomatoes tomato Apr 23 May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 18
Sweet Marjoram marjoram Apr 9 May 7 Jul 21 – Aug 5
Sweet Million Tomato tomato Apr 16 May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 18
Thai Basil herb Apr 16 May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 18
Thai Hot Peppers pepper Apr 9 May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 7
Tiny Tim Tomato tomato Apr 16 May 14 Jun 28 – Jul 8
Tumbling Tom Red Tomato tomato Apr 16 May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 23
Waltham 29 Broccoli vegetable Apr 9 May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 12
Yellow Pear Tomatoes tomato Apr 23 May 14 Jul 23 – Jul 31

Plant Outside in April

Plant Type Action Target Date Harvest Window
Acorn Squash vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 19 – Aug 8
Astro Arugula vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 May 21 – Jun 9
Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 29
Bee Balm flower Plant Out Apr 30 —
Black Beauty Eggplant vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 14 – Jul 29
Black-Eyed Pea vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 4 – Jul 9
Black-Eyed Susan flower Plant Out Apr 30 —
Bloomsdale Longstanding Spinach vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 14 – Jun 21
Blue Lake Bush Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 19 – Jun 27
Bok Choy vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 14 – Jun 29
Borage flower Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 24 – Jul 14
Brilliant Celeriac celeriac Transplant Apr 30 Aug 18 – Aug 28
Buckwheat cover crop Plant Out Apr 30 May 30 – Jun 14
Butterhead Lettuce vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 19 – Jul 4
Calendula flower Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 19 – Jun 29
Calypso Cilantro herb Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 19 – Jun 24
Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 May 30 – Jun 19
Chives herb Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 14
Clemson Spineless Okra vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 24 – Jul 3
Common Sage herb Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 14 – Jul 29
Contender Bush Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 14 – Jun 24
Cosmos flower Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 29
Crimson Clover cover crop Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 29
Crimson Sweet Watermelon vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 19 – Jul 29
Curly Kale vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 24 – Jul 4
Curly Parsley herb Transplant Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 19
Daikon Radishes daikon radish Transplant Apr 16 May 31 – Jun 10
Delicata Squash vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 19 – Aug 8
Dill herb Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 9 – Jun 24
Dragon Tongue Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 24 – Jun 29
Echinacea flower Plant Out Apr 30 —
Edamame vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 14 – Aug 3
Endive / Escarole vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 14 – Jul 4
English Lavender herb Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 29 – Aug 28
English Lavender flower Plant Out Apr 30 —
Fall Rutabagas rutabaga Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 24 – Aug 8
Fava Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 14 – Aug 8
Flat-Leaf Parsley herb Transplant Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 29
French Marigold flower Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 19 – Jun 29
French Tarragon herb Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 19
Garlic Chives herb Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 14
Georgia Southern Collard Greens vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 19
German Chamomile herb Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 4
Green Onion vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 29
Herb Fennel herb Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 9
Horseradish vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Sep 17 – Oct 7
Imperial Star Artichoke artichoke Transplant Apr 30 Jul 29 – Aug 8
Jack O'Lantern Pumpkin vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 29 – Aug 18
Japanese Eggplant vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 19 – Jul 4
Jersey Knight Asparagus vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Apr 29
Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 27 – Jul 9
Lacinato Kale vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 4
Leaf Lettuce Mix vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 14 – Jun 24
Leek vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Aug 8 – Sep 7
Lemon Balm herb Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 14 – Jun 29
Lemon Cucumber vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 9
Lemongrass herb Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 14 – Aug 8
Lima Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 19
Mammoth Sunflower flower Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 4 – Jul 19
Mesclun Mix vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 May 21 – May 30
Mizuna vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 9 – Jun 19
Mustard Greens vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 4 – Jun 19
Mâche (Corn Salad) vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 23
Napa Cabbage vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 29
Nasturtium flower Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 19 – Jul 4
National Pickling Cucumber vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 19 – Jun 27
Pattypan Squash vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 16 – Jun 24
Peppermint herb Plant Out Apr 30 May 30 – Jun 14
Popcorn vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 24 – Aug 28
Provider Bush Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 19 – Jun 24
Radicchio vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 24
Red Leaf Lettuce vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 14 – Jun 24
Red Russian Kale vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 19 – Jun 29
Rhubarb vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Apr 30 – Apr 29
Romaine Lettuce vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 4 – Jul 14
Scarlet Runner Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 9
Shallot vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 29 – Aug 28
Shelling Pea vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 24 – Jul 9
Silver Queen Sweet Corn vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 29 – Jul 31
Snow Pea vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 21 – Jul 9
Spaghetti Squash vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 27 – Aug 8
Spearmint herb Plant Out Apr 30 May 30 – Jun 14
Stevia herb Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 29 – Aug 28
Sugar Pie Pumpkin vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jul 29 – Aug 18
Sugar Snap Pea vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 24 – Jul 9
Sweet Alyssum flower Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 9 – Jun 24
Swiss Chard vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 19 – Jun 29
Tall Utah 52-70 Celery vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Aug 8 – Sep 7
Tatsoi tatsoi Transplant Apr 2 Apr 27 – May 17
Texas 1015Y SuperSweet Onion root Transplant Apr 2 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Tomatillo vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 24
Winner Kohlrabi vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 14 – Jun 19
Yard Long Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 29
Yarrow flower Plant Out Apr 30 —
Yellow Crookneck Squash vegetable Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 19 – Jun 29
Zinnia flower Plant Out Apr 30 Jun 29 – Jul 29

Harvest in April

Plant Type Planted / Sown Harvest Window
Jersey Knight Asparagus vegetable Apr 30 Apr 29
Rhubarb vegetable Apr 30 Apr 30 – Apr 29
Tatsoi tatsoi Apr 2 Apr 27 – May 17

Key Tasks for April in Zone 5A

  1. 1 Start 70 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 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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