What to Plant in April
Washington, DC · Zone 7a
Last frost: Apr 1
Frost-free days: 218
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
Chives
Cilantro
Dill
Lavender
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme
Artichoke
Beans (Bush)
Beet
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Corn
Garlic
Kale
Leek
Lettuce
Melon
Okra
Onion
Peas
Potato
Radish
Spinach
Squash
Strawberry
Sunflower
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Zucchini
Start Indoors 25
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Plant now
Chives
Jan 1 – Apr 30
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Jan 1 – Jun 15
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Celery
Jan 1 – Apr 8
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Leek
Jan 1 – Apr 23
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – Apr 30
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Mint
Jan 9 – May 8
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Thyme
Jan 17 – Apr 15
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Jan 17 – May 8
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Broccoli
Jan 17 – May 8
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Jan 17 – May 8
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Jan 17 – May 8
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Kale
Jan 24 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Strawberry
Jan 24 – May 23
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Oregano
Feb 1 – May 16
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Sage
Feb 1 – Apr 30
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Lettuce
Feb 8 – Apr 30
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Spinach
Feb 8 – Apr 15
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Swiss Chard
Feb 8 – Aug 23
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Tomato
Mar 1 – Apr 30
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Growing guide
Sunflower
Mar 17 – May 16
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Squash
Apr 1 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Zucchini
Apr 1 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Okra
Apr 9 – May 23
1 per sq ft
50–65 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 25
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Plant now
Chives
Mar 9 – Jul 8
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Mar 9 – Jul 8
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Mar 9 – Aug 23
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Broccoli
Mar 9 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Mar 9 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Cabbage
Mar 9 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Mar 9 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Kale
Mar 9 – Sep 23
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Leek
Mar 9 – Jul 16
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Lettuce
Mar 9 – May 31
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Onion
Mar 9 – Jul 23
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Spinach
Mar 9 – May 16
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Strawberry
Mar 9 – Jul 8
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Swiss Chard
Mar 9 – Sep 23
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Lavender
Mar 24 – May 23
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Oregano
Mar 24 – Jul 8
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Rosemary
Mar 24 – May 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Mar 24 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Mar 24 – Jun 23
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Mar 24 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Celery
Mar 24 – Jun 30
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sunflower
Apr 9 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Later this month
Squash
Apr 24 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Tomato
Apr 24 – Jun 23
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Growing guide
Zucchini
Apr 24 – Jul 16
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Direct Sow 11
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Plant now
Garlic
Jan 1 – Aug 31
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Cilantro
Feb 22 – May 31
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Beet
Feb 22 – Sep 30
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Peas
Feb 22 – Jun 23
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Radish
Feb 22 – May 31
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Turnip
Feb 22 – Oct 16
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Carrot
Mar 1 – Aug 23
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Potato
Mar 17 – Jul 31
1 per sq ft
70–150 days
Later this month
Dill
Apr 24 – Aug 8
4 per sq ft
40–60 days
Beans (Bush)
Apr 24 – Jul 8
9 per sq ft
50–60 days
Corn
Apr 24 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
April Gardening Tips
- Start Tomato, Cucumber, Squash indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Tomato, Squash, Zucchini can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Corn, Beans (Bush), Carrot straight into the garden — no transplanting needed.
- Soil temperature matters more than air temperature for germination. Use a soil thermometer before direct sowing.
Nearby Cities
Ready to plan your garden?
Add these crops to your garden plan and get personalized planting reminders for Zone 7a.
Start Planning Free