What to Plant in April
Indianapolis, IN · Zone 6a
Last frost: Apr 17
Frost-free days: 181
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
1
5
10
15
20
25
Start Indoors 26
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Plant now
Leek
Jan 1 – Apr 8
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – Apr 15
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Chives
Jan 9 – Apr 30
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Jan 9 – May 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Celery
Jan 9 – Apr 15
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Mint
Jan 17 – May 8
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Thyme
Jan 24 – Apr 23
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Jan 24 – May 8
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Broccoli
Jan 24 – May 16
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Jan 24 – May 16
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Jan 24 – May 16
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Kale
Feb 1 – Jul 23
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Strawberry
Feb 1 – May 23
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Oregano
Feb 8 – May 16
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Sage
Feb 8 – Apr 30
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Lettuce
Feb 15 – May 8
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Spinach
Feb 15 – Apr 15
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Swiss Chard
Feb 15 – Aug 8
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Pepper
Mar 1 – Apr 8
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Growing guide
Tomato
Mar 9 – Apr 30
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Growing guide
Sunflower
Mar 17 – May 16
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Okra
Apr 9 – May 23
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Squash
Apr 9 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Zucchini
Apr 9 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Later this month
Cucumber
Apr 16 – Jun 15
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Growing guide
Melon
Apr 16–30
½ per sq ft
70–90 days
Transplant 22
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Chives
Mar 17 – Jul 8
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Mar 17 – Jul 8
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Mar 17 – Aug 8
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Broccoli
Mar 17 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Mar 17 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Cabbage
Mar 17 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Mar 17 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Kale
Mar 17 – Sep 8
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Leek
Mar 17 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Lettuce
Mar 17 – Jun 8
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Onion
Mar 17 – Jul 8
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Spinach
Mar 17 – May 16
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Strawberry
Mar 17 – Jul 8
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Swiss Chard
Mar 17 – Sep 8
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Lavender
Apr 1 – May 23
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Oregano
Apr 1 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Rosemary
Apr 1 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Apr 1 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Apr 1 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Apr 1 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Celery
Apr 1 – Jul 8
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sunflower
Apr 9 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Direct Sow 8
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Garlic
Jan 1 – Aug 16
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Radish
Mar 1 – Jun 8
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Cilantro
Mar 9 – Jun 8
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Beet
Mar 9 – Sep 15
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Peas
Mar 9 – Jun 30
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Turnip
Mar 9 – Oct 8
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Carrot
Mar 17 – Aug 16
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Potato
Mar 24 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
70–150 days
April Gardening Tips
- Start Tomato, Pepper, Cucumber 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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