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Zone 5B — April

What to Plant in April in Zone 5B

April in Zone 5B: 60 crops to start indoors, 136 to plant or direct sow outside, and 11 entering harvest window. Last frost averages April 17. Reference city: Kansas City, MO.
60 Start Indoors
136 Plant Outside
11 Harvest

Start Indoors in April

Plant Type Start Indoors Transplant Outside Harvest Window
Armenian Cucumber cucumber Apr 10 Apr 24 Jun 23 – Jul 3
Eight Ball Zucchini zucchini Apr 10 Apr 24 Jun 8 – Jun 18
Epazote epazote Apr 3 Apr 24 Jun 18 – Jun 28
Gold Rush Zucchini zucchini Apr 10 Apr 24 Jun 8 – Jun 13
Green Fingers Persian Cucumber cucumber Apr 10 Apr 24 Jun 18 – Jun 23
Heirloom Red Kuri Squash winter squash Apr 10 Apr 24 Jul 23 – Aug 2
New Zealand Spinach new zealand spinach Apr 10 Apr 24 Jun 13 – Jun 23
Orion Florence Fennel fennel Apr 3 Apr 24 Jul 13 – Jul 23
Spacemaster Bush Cucumber cucumber Apr 10 Apr 24 Jun 23 – Jun 28
Straight Eight Cucumber cucumber Apr 10 Apr 24 Jun 23 – Jun 28
Sunshine Kabocha Squash winter squash Apr 10 Apr 24 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Amish Paste Tomatoes tomato Apr 3 May 1 Jul 14 – Jul 25
Banana Peppers pepper Apr 3 May 8 Jul 7 – Jul 17
Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 25
Better Boy Tomatoes tomato Apr 10 May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 15
Black Cherry Tomato tomato Apr 3 May 1 Jul 4 – Jul 15
Black Krim Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens sunflower microgreens Apr 24 May 1 May 8 – May 13
Brandywine Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Butternut Squash vegetable Apr 3 May 1 Aug 9 – Aug 29
California Wonder Peppers pepper Apr 3 May 8 Jul 19 – Jul 22
Cantaloupe vegetable Apr 3 May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Celebrity Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 12
Cherokee Purple Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jul 18 – Jul 25
Cubanelle Peppers pepper Apr 3 May 8 Jul 9 – Jul 17
Culinary Turmeric turmeric Apr 10 May 8 Jan 3 – Mar 4
Cupid Grape Tomato tomato Apr 10 May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 10
Early Girl Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jun 22 – Jul 2
Genovese Basil herb Apr 3 May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 10
Ginger ginger Apr 10 May 8 Jan 3 – Mar 4
Green Zebra Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 18
Honeydew Melon vegetable Apr 3 May 1 Aug 9 – Aug 24
Jimmy Nardello Peppers pepper Apr 3 May 8 Jul 27 – Aug 6
Juliet Tomatoes tomato Apr 10 May 1 Jun 29 – Jul 1
King Arthur Peppers pepper Apr 3 May 8 Jul 9 – Jul 15
Lunchbox Mini Peppers pepper Apr 3 May 8 Jul 2 – Jul 7
Marketmore 76 Cucumber vegetable Apr 3 May 1 Jun 28 – Jul 8
Midnight Snack Tomato tomato Apr 3 May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 10
Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 25
Mountain Magic Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jul 12 – Jul 15
Mucho Nacho Jalapeño Peppers pepper Apr 3 May 1 Jul 8 – Jul 10
Padron Peppers pepper Apr 3 May 8 Jul 7 – Jul 12
Patio Princess Tomatoes tomato Apr 10 May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 10
Purple Basil herb Apr 3 May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 25
Rambo Radish Microgreens radish microgreens Apr 24 May 1 May 7 – May 11
Red-Stem Malabar Spinach malabar spinach Apr 10 May 1 Jun 25 – Jul 10
Roma VF Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Rutgers Tomato tomato Apr 3 May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 20
San Marzano Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jul 18 – Jul 28
Shishito Peppers pepper Apr 3 May 8 Jul 7 – Jul 12
Speckled Pea Shoot Microgreens pea shoot microgreens Apr 24 May 1 May 9 – May 15
Sugar Baby Watermelon vegetable Apr 3 May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Sun Gold Tomatoes tomato Apr 10 May 1 Jun 27 – Jul 5
Supersweet 100 Tomatoes tomato Apr 10 May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 5
Sweet 100 Tomatoes tomato Apr 10 May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 5
Sweet Million Tomato tomato Apr 3 May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 5
Thai Basil herb Apr 3 May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 5
Tiny Tim Tomato tomato Apr 3 May 1 Jun 15 – Jun 25
Tumbling Tom Red Tomato tomato Apr 3 May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 10
Yellow Pear Tomatoes tomato Apr 10 May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 18

Plant Outside in April

Plant Type Action Target Date Harvest Window
Acorn Squash vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 6 – Jul 26
Alexandria Alpine Strawberry strawberry Transplant Apr 24 Aug 2 – Aug 22
Armenian Cucumber cucumber Transplant Apr 24 Jun 23 – Jul 3
Astro Arugula vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 May 8 – May 27
Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 26 – Jul 16
Baby Cakes Blackberry blackberry Plant Out Apr 24 Apr 24 – Jun 23
Bay Laurel bay laurel Plant Out Apr 24 Jun 23 – Apr 24
Beauregard Sweet Potato root Direct Sow Apr 24 Jul 23 – Aug 7
Bee Balm flower Plant Out Apr 17 —
Black Beauty Eggplant vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 1 – Jul 16
Black Beauty Zucchini vegetable Transplant Apr 28 Jun 12 – Jun 22
Black-Eyed Pea vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 21 – Jun 26
Black-Eyed Susan flower Plant Out Apr 17 —
Bloomsdale Longstanding Spinach vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 1 – Jun 8
Blue Lake Bush Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 14
Bok Choy vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 1 – Jun 16
Borage flower Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 11 – Jul 1
Brilliant Celeriac celeriac Transplant Apr 17 Aug 5 – Aug 15
Buckwheat cover crop Plant Out Apr 17 May 17 – Jun 1
Butterhead Lettuce vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 21
Calendula flower Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 16
Calypso Cilantro herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 11
Cherry Belle Radish root Direct Sow Apr 24 May 15 – May 24
Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 May 17 – Jun 6
Chioggia Beet root Direct Sow Apr 24 Jun 18 – Jun 28
Chives herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 1
Clemson Spineless Okra vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 11 – Jun 20
Common Sage herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 1 – Jul 16
Contender Bush Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 1 – Jun 11
Cosmic Purple Carrot root Direct Sow Apr 24 Jun 21 – Jul 8
Cosmos flower Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 26 – Jul 16
Crimson Clover cover crop Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 16
Crimson Sweet Watermelon vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Curly Kale vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 11 – Jun 21
Curly Parsley herb Transplant Apr 17 Jun 26 – Jul 6
Daikon Radishes daikon radish Transplant Apr 3 May 18 – May 28
Danvers Carrot root Direct Sow Apr 24 Jul 3 – Jul 13
Delicata Squash vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 6 – Jul 26
Detroit Dark Red Beet root Direct Sow Apr 24 Jun 18 – Jun 23
Dill herb Plant Out Apr 17 May 27 – Jun 11
Dragon Tongue Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 11 – Jun 16
Echinacea flower Plant Out Apr 17 —
Edamame vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 1 – Jul 21
Eight Ball Zucchini zucchini Transplant Apr 24 Jun 8 – Jun 18
Endive / Escarole vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 1 – Jun 21
English Lavender herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 16 – Aug 15
English Lavender flower Plant Out Apr 17 —
English Thyme herb Plant Out Apr 24 Jul 3 – Jul 23
Epazote epazote Transplant Apr 24 Jun 18 – Jun 28
Fall Rutabagas rutabaga Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 11 – Jul 26
Fava Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 1 – Jul 26
Flat-Leaf Parsley herb Transplant Apr 17 Jun 26 – Jul 16
French Breakfast Radish root Direct Sow Apr 24 May 15 – May 22
French Marigold flower Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 16
French Tarragon herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 6
Garlic Chives herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 1
Georgia Southern Collard Greens vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 6
German Chamomile herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jun 21
Gold Rush Zucchini zucchini Transplant Apr 24 Jun 8 – Jun 13
Golden Beet root Direct Sow Apr 24 Jun 18 – Jun 28
Greek Oregano herb Plant Out Apr 24 Jun 23 – Jul 13
Green Fingers Persian Cucumber cucumber Transplant Apr 24 Jun 18 – Jun 23
Green Onion vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 16
Heirloom Red Kuri Squash winter squash Transplant Apr 24 Jul 23 – Aug 2
Herb Fennel herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jun 26
Heritage Raspberry raspberry Plant Out Apr 24 Apr 24 – Jun 23
Horseradish vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Sep 4 – Sep 24
Imperial Star Artichoke artichoke Transplant Apr 17 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Jack O'Lantern Pumpkin vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 16 – Aug 5
Japanese Eggplant vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 21
Jersey Knight Asparagus vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Apr 16
Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 14 – Jun 26
Lacinato Kale vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jun 21
Leaf Lettuce Mix vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 1 – Jun 11
Leek vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 26 – Aug 25
Lemon Balm herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 1 – Jun 16
Lemon Cucumber vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jun 26
Lemon Verbena lemon verbena Plant Out Apr 24 Jul 23 – Aug 22
Lemongrass herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 1 – Jul 26
Lima Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 6
Mammoth Sunflower flower Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 21 – Jul 6
Mesclun Mix vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 May 8 – May 17
Mizuna vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 May 27 – Jun 6
Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil basil Transplant Apr 24 Jun 23 – Jul 3
Mustard Greens vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 May 22 – Jun 6
Mâche (Corn Salad) vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 10
Nantes Carrot root Direct Sow Apr 24 Jun 25 – Jul 8
Napa Cabbage vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 26 – Jul 16
Nasturtium flower Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 21
National Pickling Cucumber vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 14
New Zealand Spinach new zealand spinach Transplant Apr 24 Jun 13 – Jun 23
Orion Florence Fennel fennel Transplant Apr 24 Jul 13 – Jul 23
Ozark Beauty Strawberry strawberry Plant Out Apr 24 Jun 23 – Jul 23
Parsnip root Direct Sow Apr 24 Aug 2 – Sep 1
Patriot Blueberry blueberry Plant Out Apr 24 Apr 23
Pattypan Squash vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 3 – Jun 11
Peppermint herb Plant Out Apr 17 May 17 – Jun 1
Popcorn vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 11 – Aug 15
Provider Bush Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 11
Radicchio vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 11
Raspberry Shortcake Raspberry raspberry Plant Out Apr 24 Apr 24 – Jun 23
Red Leaf Lettuce vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 1 – Jun 11
Red Pontiac Potato root Direct Sow Apr 24 Jul 23 – Aug 12
Red Russian Kale vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 16
Rhubarb vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Apr 17 – Apr 16
Romaine Lettuce vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 21 – Jul 1
Scarlet Runner Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jun 26
Seascape Strawberry strawberry Plant Out Apr 24 Jul 8 – Jul 23
Shallot vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 16 – Aug 15
Shelling Pea vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 11 – Jun 26
Silver Queen Sweet Corn vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 16 – Jul 18
Snow Pea vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 8 – Jun 26
Softneck Garlic root Direct Sow Apr 24 Dec 20 – Jan 19
Spacemaster Bush Cucumber cucumber Transplant Apr 24 Jun 23 – Jun 28
Spaghetti Squash vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 14 – Jul 26
Spearmint herb Plant Out Apr 17 May 17 – Jun 1
Stevia herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 16 – Aug 15
Straight Eight Cucumber cucumber Transplant Apr 24 Jun 23 – Jun 28
Sugar Pie Pumpkin vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 16 – Aug 5
Sugar Snap Pea vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 11 – Jun 26
Sunshine Blue Blueberry blueberry Plant Out Apr 24 Apr 23
Sunshine Kabocha Squash winter squash Transplant Apr 24 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Sweet Alyssum flower Plant Out Apr 17 May 27 – Jun 11
Sweet Marjoram marjoram Transplant Apr 24 Jul 8 – Jul 23
Swiss Chard vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 16
Tall Utah 52-70 Celery vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 26 – Aug 25
Tomatillo vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 11
Top Hat Blueberry blueberry Plant Out Apr 24 Apr 23
Turnip root Direct Sow Apr 24 Jun 13 – Jun 23
Watermelon Radish root Direct Sow Apr 24 Jun 13 – Jun 28
Winner Kohlrabi vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 1 – Jun 6
Yard Long Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 16
Yarrow flower Plant Out Apr 17 —
Yellow Crookneck Squash vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 16
Yukon Gold Potato root Direct Sow Apr 24 Jul 13 – Aug 2
Zinnia flower Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 16

Harvest in April

Plant Type Planted / Sown Harvest Window
Tatsoi tatsoi Mar 20 Apr 14 – May 4
Baby Cakes Blackberry blackberry Apr 24 Apr 24 – Jun 23
Heritage Raspberry raspberry Apr 24 Apr 24 – Jun 23
Jersey Knight Asparagus vegetable Apr 17 Apr 16
Patriot Blueberry blueberry Apr 24 Apr 23
Raspberry Shortcake Raspberry raspberry Apr 24 Apr 24 – Jun 23
Rhubarb vegetable Apr 17 Apr 17 – Apr 16
Sunshine Blue Blueberry blueberry Apr 24 Apr 23
Top Hat Blueberry blueberry Apr 24 Apr 23
Improved Meyer Lemon meyer lemon May 1 Apr 30
Nagami Kumquat kumquat May 1 Apr 30

Key Tasks for April in Zone 5B

  1. 1 Start 60 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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