What to Plant in April
Detroit, MI · Zone 6a
Last frost: Apr 25
Frost-free days: 178
Garden season is starting in earnest. Direct sow cool-season crops outdoors and continue nurturing warm-season transplants indoors. Watch your last frost date for transplanting timing.
April at a Glance
Indoor
Transplant
Direct Sow
Start Indoors 24
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Plant now
Leek
Jan 9 – Apr 8
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 9 – Apr 8
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Chives
Jan 24 – Apr 30
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Jan 24 – May 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Mint
Feb 1 – Apr 30
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Celery
Feb 1 – Apr 15
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Broccoli
Feb 8 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Feb 8 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Feb 8 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Thyme
Feb 15 – Apr 15
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Feb 15 – May 8
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Kale
Feb 15 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Strawberry
Feb 15 – May 16
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Oregano
Mar 1 – May 8
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Sage
Mar 1 – Apr 30
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Lettuce
Mar 1 – May 23
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Spinach
Mar 1 – Apr 23
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Swiss Chard
Mar 1 – Aug 8
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Tomato
Mar 17 – Apr 23
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Growing guide
Sunflower
Apr 1 – May 8
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Later this month
Squash
Apr 16 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Zucchini
Apr 16 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Cucumber
Apr 24 – Jun 8
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Growing guide
Okra
Apr 24 – May 23
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Transplant 22
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Plant now
Chives
Apr 1 – Jul 8
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Apr 1 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Apr 1 – Aug 8
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Broccoli
Apr 1 – Aug 16
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Apr 1 – Jul 23
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Cabbage
Apr 1 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Apr 1 – Aug 16
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Kale
Apr 1 – Aug 31
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Leek
Apr 1 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Lettuce
Apr 1 – Jun 23
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Onion
Apr 1 – Jun 30
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Spinach
Apr 1 – May 23
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Strawberry
Apr 1 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Swiss Chard
Apr 1 – Sep 8
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Later this month
Lavender
Apr 24 – May 16
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Oregano
Apr 24 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Rosemary
Apr 24 – May 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Apr 24 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Apr 24 – Jun 23
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Apr 24 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Celery
Apr 24 – Jul 8
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sunflower
Apr 24 – May 31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Direct Sow 7
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Plant now
Cilantro
Mar 24 – Jun 23
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Beet
Mar 24 – Sep 15
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Peas
Mar 24 – Jul 8
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Radish
Mar 24 – Jun 23
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Turnip
Mar 24 – Sep 30
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Carrot
Apr 1 – Aug 8
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Later this month
Potato
Apr 16 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
70–150 days
April Gardening Tips
- Start Tomato, Cucumber, Squash indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Carrot, Peas, Potato 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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