What to Plant in April
Madison, WI · Zone 5a
Last frost: May 5
Frost-free days: 153
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
Chives
Cilantro
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme
Artichoke
Beet
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Kale
Leek
Lettuce
Okra
Onion
Peas
Potato
Radish
Spinach
Squash
Strawberry
Sunflower
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Zucchini
Start Indoors 21
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Plant now
Chives
Jan 24 – Apr 23
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Jan 24 – May 23
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Mint
Feb 1 – Apr 30
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Celery
Feb 1 – Apr 8
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Broccoli
Feb 8 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Feb 8 – May 31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Feb 8 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Thyme
Feb 15 – Apr 8
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Feb 15 – Apr 23
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Kale
Feb 15 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Strawberry
Feb 15 – May 16
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Oregano
Mar 1 – Apr 30
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Sage
Mar 1 – Apr 23
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Lettuce
Mar 1 – May 16
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Spinach
Mar 1 – Apr 30
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Swiss Chard
Mar 1 – Jul 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Tomato
Mar 17 – Apr 23
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Growing guide
Sunflower
Apr 9–30
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Later this month
Squash
Apr 16 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Zucchini
Apr 16 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Okra
Apr 24 – May 16
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Transplant 20
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Plant now
Chives
Apr 1 – Jun 30
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Apr 1 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Apr 1 – Jul 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Broccoli
Apr 1 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Apr 1 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Cabbage
Apr 1 – Jul 23
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Apr 1 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Kale
Apr 1 – Aug 23
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Leek
Apr 1 – Jun 23
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Lettuce
Apr 1 – Jun 15
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Onion
Apr 1 – Jun 23
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Spinach
Apr 1 – May 31
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Strawberry
Apr 1 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Swiss Chard
Apr 1 – Aug 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Later this month
Oregano
Apr 24 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Rosemary
Apr 24 – May 23
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Apr 24 – Jun 15
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Apr 24 – Jun 15
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Apr 24 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Celery
Apr 24 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Direct Sow 7
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Cilantro
Mar 24 – Jun 15
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Beet
Mar 24 – Aug 31
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Peas
Mar 24 – Aug 31
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Radish
Mar 24 – Jun 15
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Turnip
Mar 24 – Sep 23
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Carrot
Apr 1 – Jul 31
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Potato
Apr 9 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
70–150 days
April Gardening Tips
- Start Tomato, Squash, Zucchini 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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