What to Plant in April
Portland, OR · Zone 8b
Last frost: Mar 15
Frost-free days: 245
It's prime planting season — the soil is warm and frost is behind you. Most warm-season crops can go directly into the ground now. Succession-plant fast crops for continuous harvest.
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
Garlic
Kale
Leek
Lettuce
Onion
Peas
Potato
Radish
Spinach
Squash
Strawberry
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Zucchini
Start Indoors 20
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Plant now
Chives
Jan 1 – Apr 23
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Apr 30
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Jan 1 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Leek
Jan 1 – May 16
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – May 23
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Spinach
Jan 1 – May 23
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – May 16
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Broccoli
Jan 9 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Jan 9 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Jan 9 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Celery
Jan 9 – Apr 23
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Kale
Jan 9 – Jul 23
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Lettuce
Jan 17 – Jun 23
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Swiss Chard
Jan 17 – Aug 16
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Thyme
Jan 24 – Apr 8
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Jan 24 – May 16
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Oregano
Feb 8 – Apr 30
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Sage
Feb 8 – Apr 15
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Later this month
Squash
Apr 16 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Zucchini
Apr 16 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Transplant 20
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Chives
Jan 1 – Jun 30
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Spinach
Jan 1 – Jun 23
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Feb 15 – Sep 8
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Lettuce
Feb 15 – Jul 23
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Swiss Chard
Feb 15 – Sep 15
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Kale
Feb 22 – Sep 8
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Leek
Feb 22 – Aug 8
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Feb 22 – Aug 16
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Broccoli
Mar 1 – Aug 23
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Mar 1 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Cabbage
Mar 1 – Aug 23
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Mar 1 – Aug 23
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Oregano
Apr 1 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Rosemary
Apr 1 – May 8
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Apr 1 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Apr 1 – Jun 15
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Apr 1 – Jul 23
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Celery
Apr 1 – Jul 16
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Direct Sow 8
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Garlic
Jan 1 – Aug 23
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Cilantro
Feb 15 – Jul 23
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Beet
Feb 15 – Sep 15
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Peas
Feb 15 – Jul 16
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Turnip
Feb 15 – Oct 8
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Radish
Mar 1 – Jul 23
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Carrot
Mar 9 – Aug 16
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Potato
Mar 24 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
70–150 days
April Gardening Tips
- Start Squash, Zucchini, Lettuce 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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