What to Plant in April

Anchorage, AK · Zone 4b

Last frost: May 15 Frost-free days: 123

The season is opening up. Direct sow cold-hardy crops like peas, spinach, and radishes as soon as the ground thaws. Continue starting warm-season seedlings indoors.

April at a Glance

Indoor Transplant Direct Sow
1 5 10 15 20 25
Cilantro
Parsley
Beet
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Kale
Lettuce
Peas
Radish
Spinach
Strawberry
Swiss Chard
Turnip

Start Indoors 9

Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.

Parsley
Parsley
Feb 22 – Apr 23
4 per sq ft 70–90 days
Broccoli
Broccoli
Mar 9 – May 8
1 per sq ft 60–100 days
Cabbage
Cabbage
Mar 9 – May 8
1 per sq ft 70–100 days
Cauliflower
Cauliflower
Mar 9 – May 8
1 per sq ft 55–100 days
Kale
Kale
Mar 17 – May 31
1 per sq ft 50–65 days
Strawberry
Strawberry
Mar 17 – Apr 8
4 per sq ft 60–90 days
Lettuce
Lettuce
Apr 1 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft 45–60 days
Spinach
Spinach
Apr 1 – Jul 16
9 per sq ft 35–50 days
Swiss Chard
Swiss Chard
Apr 1 – Jun 23
4 per sq ft 50–60 days

Direct Sow 5

Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.

Cilantro
Cilantro
Apr 24 – Aug 16
9 per sq ft 30–45 days
Beet
Beet
Apr 24 – Jul 23
9 per sq ft 50–70 days
Peas
Peas
Apr 24 – Jul 16
8 per sq ft 55–70 days
Radish
Radish
Apr 24 – Aug 23
16 per sq ft 22–30 days
Turnip
Turnip
Apr 24 – Aug 16
9 per sq ft 30–60 days

April Gardening Tips

  • Start Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
  • Direct sow Peas, Beet, Radish straight into the garden — no transplanting needed.
  • Soil temperature matters more than air temperature for germination. Use a soil thermometer before direct sowing.

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