What to Plant in April
USDA Zone 9a
Last frost: Feb 1 – Feb 15
Frost-free days: 250–300
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
Rosemary
Thyme
Oregano
Sage
Mint
Beans (bush)
Beans (pole)
Cucumbers
Summer Squash
Winter Squash
Corn
Radishes
Sweet Potatoes
Watermelon
Okra
Southern Peas
Transplant 7
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
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Watermelon
Mar 1 – Apr 1
¼ per sq ft
70–90 days
Sweet Potatoes
Mar 15 – May 1
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Direct Sow 10
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Plant now
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Beans (bush)
Feb 15 – Apr 15
9 per sq ft
50–60 days
Beans (pole)
Feb 15 – Apr 1
Corn
Feb 15 – Apr 15
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cucumbers
Mar 1 – Apr 15
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Summer Squash
Mar 1 – Apr 15
Winter Squash
Mar 1 – Apr 1
Okra
Mar 15 – Jul 1
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Southern Peas
Mar 15 – Aug 1
Later this month
Radishes
Sep 1 – Apr 1
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
April Gardening Tips
- Watermelon, Sweet Potatoes, Rosemary can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Corn, Mint, Beans (bush) 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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