What should I plant in April in zone 6a?

In April in zone 6a, you can plant Marigolds, Zinnias, Sunflowers, Nasturtiums, Cosmos, and more. Check indoor start, transplant, and direct sow dates for your specific zone.

When do I plant Marigolds in zone 6a?

In zone 6a, Marigolds: start seeds indoors Mar 15, transplant outdoors Apr 25--May 5, direct sow May 1.

When do I plant Zinnias in zone 6a?

In zone 6a, Zinnias: start seeds indoors Mar 15, transplant outdoors Apr 25--May 5, direct sow May 1--Jun 1.

When do I plant Sunflowers in zone 6a?

In zone 6a, Sunflowers: direct sow Apr 20--Jun 1.

What to Plant in April

USDA Zone 6a

Last frost: Apr 1 – Apr 15 Frost-free days: 170–190

Zone:

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

Marigolds

Zinnias

Sunflowers

Nasturtiums

Cosmos

Snapdragons

Calendula

Alyssum

Morning Glory

Petunia

Cilantro

Dill

Parsley

Chives

Thyme

Oregano

Sage

Mint

Lavender

Fennel

Borage

Tomatoes

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Cabbage

Brussels Sprouts

Kale

Lettuce

Spinach

Peas

Beans (bush)

Beans (pole)

Cucumbers

Summer Squash

Winter Squash

Pumpkins

Corn

Carrots

Beets

Radishes

Turnips

Onions (sets)

Onions (seed)

Potatoes

Swiss Chard

Celery

Leeks

Kohlrabi

Asparagus

Start Indoors 4

Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.

Cucumbers

Mar 15 – Apr 1

2 per sq ft 50–70 days

Summer Squash

Mar 15 – Apr 1

Winter Squash

Mar 15 – Apr 1

Pumpkins

Mar 15 – Apr 1

¼ per sq ft 85–120 days

Transplant 31

Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.

Plant now

Lettuce

Mar 15 – Apr 1

4 per sq ft 45–60 days

Onions (seed)

Mar 15 – Apr 1

9 per sq ft 100–120 days

Asparagus

Mar 15 – Apr 15

1 per sq ft 730–1095 days

Broccoli

Mar 25 – Apr 10

1 per sq ft 60–100 days

Cauliflower

Mar 25 – Apr 10

1 per sq ft 55–100 days

Cabbage

Mar 25 – Apr 10

1 per sq ft 70–100 days

Kale

Mar 25 – Apr 10

1 per sq ft 50–65 days

Kohlrabi

Mar 25 – Apr 10

Snapdragons

Apr 1–15

Alyssum

Apr 1–8

Parsley

Apr 1–15

4 per sq ft 70–90 days

Chives

Apr 1–15

9 per sq ft 60–90 days

Mint

Apr 1–8

4 per sq ft 60–90 days

Brussels Sprouts

Apr 1–15

1 per sq ft 80–110 days

Swiss Chard

Apr 1–15

4 per sq ft 50–60 days

Leeks

Apr 1–15

4 per sq ft 90–150 days

Petunia

Apr 15 – May 1

Thyme

Apr 15–22

4 per sq ft 70–90 days

Oregano

Apr 15–22

1 per sq ft 60–90 days

Sage

Apr 15–22

1 per sq ft 75–90 days

Lavender

Apr 15–22

1 per sq ft 90–120 days

Fennel

Apr 15 – May 1

Later this month

Nasturtiums

Apr 20–27

Tomatoes

Apr 20 – May 5

1 per sq ft 65–80 days

Celery

Apr 20 – May 5

4 per sq ft 80–120 days

Marigolds

Apr 25 – May 5

Zinnias

Apr 25 – May 5

Cucumbers

Apr 25 – May 10

2 per sq ft 50–70 days

Summer Squash

Apr 25 – May 10

Winter Squash

Apr 25 – May 10

Pumpkins

Apr 25 – May 10

¼ per sq ft 85–120 days

Direct Sow 32

Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.

Plant now

Spinach

Mar 1 – Apr 1

9 per sq ft 35–50 days

Peas

Mar 1 – Apr 1

8 per sq ft 55–70 days

Cilantro

Mar 15 – Apr 15

9 per sq ft 30–45 days

Lettuce

Mar 15 – May 1

4 per sq ft 45–60 days

Carrots

Mar 15 – Jul 15

16 per sq ft 70–80 days

Beets

Mar 15 – Jul 15

9 per sq ft 50–70 days

Radishes

Mar 15 – Sep 15

16 per sq ft 22–30 days

Turnips

Mar 15 – Apr 1

9 per sq ft 30–60 days

Onions (sets)

Mar 15 – Apr 1

9 per sq ft 100–120 days

Potatoes

Mar 15 – Apr 1

1 per sq ft 70–150 days

Kale

Mar 25 – Apr 10

1 per sq ft 50–65 days

Kohlrabi

Mar 25 – Apr 10

Calendula

Apr 1–15

Alyssum

Apr 1–15

Dill

Apr 1 – May 15

4 per sq ft 40–60 days

Parsley

Apr 1–8

4 per sq ft 70–90 days

Chives

Apr 1–8

9 per sq ft 60–90 days

Mint

Apr 1–8

4 per sq ft 60–90 days

Borage

Apr 1–15

Swiss Chard

Apr 1–15

4 per sq ft 50–60 days

Fennel

Apr 15 – May 1

Later this month

Sunflowers

Apr 20 – Jun 1

1 per sq ft 70–100 days

Nasturtiums

Apr 20 – May 5

Cosmos

Apr 20 – May 15

Morning Glory

Apr 20 – May 10

Beans (bush)

Apr 20 – Jul 1

9 per sq ft 50–60 days

Beans (pole)

Apr 20 – May 15

Corn

Apr 20 – Jun 1

1 per sq ft 60–100 days

Cucumbers

Apr 25 – Jun 1

2 per sq ft 50–70 days

Summer Squash

Apr 25 – Jun 1

Winter Squash

Apr 25 – May 15

Pumpkins

Apr 25 – May 15

¼ per sq ft 85–120 days

April Gardening Tips

Start Cucumbers, Summer Squash, Winter 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 Corn, Lettuce, Peas straight into the garden — no transplanting needed.
Soil temperature matters more than air temperature for germination. Use a soil thermometer before direct sowing.