What to Plant in April
USDA Zone 8b
Last frost: Mar 1 – Mar 15
Frost-free days: 220–250
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
Basil
Dill
Rosemary
Thyme
Oregano
Sage
Lavender
Tomatoes
Peppers
Eggplant
Beans (bush)
Beans (pole)
Cucumbers
Summer Squash
Winter Squash
Corn
Carrots
Beets
Radishes
Sweet Potatoes
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
Okra
Southern Peas (Cowpeas)
Transplant 16
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Thyme
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Sage
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Lavender
Mar 1 – Apr 1
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Tomatoes
Mar 15 – Apr 1
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Basil
Mar 20 – Apr 5
4 per sq ft
25–35 days
Peppers
Mar 20 – Apr 5
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cucumbers
Mar 20 – Apr 5
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Summer Squash
Mar 20 – Apr 5
Winter Squash
Mar 20 – Apr 5
Eggplant
Mar 25 – Apr 10
1 per sq ft
70–90 days
Okra
Mar 25 – Apr 10
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Watermelon
Apr 1–15
¼ per sq ft
70–90 days
Cantaloupe
Apr 1–15
Sweet Potatoes
Apr 15 – May 15
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Direct Sow 14
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Carrots
Feb 1 – Sep 1
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Beets
Feb 1 – Apr 1
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Radishes
Feb 1 – Nov 1
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Dill
Mar 1 – Apr 15
4 per sq ft
40–60 days
Beans (bush)
Mar 15 – Aug 1
9 per sq ft
50–60 days
Beans (pole)
Mar 15 – Jul 1
Corn
Mar 15 – Jul 15
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cucumbers
Mar 20 – Jul 1
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Summer Squash
Mar 20 – Jul 1
Winter Squash
Mar 20 – May 1
Watermelon
Apr 1–8
¼ per sq ft
70–90 days
Cantaloupe
Apr 1–8
Okra
Apr 1 – Jun 1
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Southern Peas (Cowpeas)
Apr 1 – Jul 15
April Gardening Tips
- Watermelon, Eggplant, Sweet Potatoes can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Corn, Watermelon, Carrots 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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