Over much of the USA, April is when the gardening season really gets going. Between preparing the soil and planting the early crops, it's easy to overlook important steps. We really recommend a garden journal as a way to map out what you want to do. Then fill in the whens and wheres. Don't forget to look around and notice what's happening in your area. When are the forsythia blooming? Are you hearing robins in the morning? These are links to the natural world, reasons why we are gardening. Don't forget to smell the roses.
Zones 1-7a: April is the bridge between the indoor seed-starting season and the first real outdoor planting in cold-winter zones. As soon as soil is workable, focus on bed prep, clearing winter cover, and making space for early direct sowing of hardy spring crops - often with row cover or low tunnels to buffer cold nights. Indoors, keep starting and potting up seedlings, and begin hardening off the earliest transplants on mild days so they are ready to go out as soon as your local frost window allows.
Zones 7b-9a: April is a peak planting month in mild-winter zones as soils warm and frost risk fades, opening the door to a much broader range of crops outdoors. Continue sowing cool-season favorites in early April, where nights are still chilly, but begin transitioning beds to warm-season planting through the month as temperatures stabilize. Succession sowing, trellising, and a little frost protection for surprise cold snaps help keep growth steady - and April is also an excellent time to harden off seedlings and get transplants established.
Zones 9b-12: April is full spring momentum in the warm-winter zones, with many gardens shifting decisively into warm-season planting while remaining cool-season crops finish strong. This is a great month to direct sow and transplant heat lovers outdoors, and to keep succession planting going so harvests don’t gap as days get longer and brighter. In the hottest areas, start planning for rising temperatures by watching irrigation closely, adding mulch, and timing your final rounds of tender cool-season crops before consistent heat arrives.
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![Legend: H for Heirloom, O for Organic, A for AAS Winner, F for staff favorites]()
Cosmos Seeds - Sensation Mixture
49-63 Days to maturity. Cosmos bipinnatus. Sensation Mixture Cosmos Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, Heirloom, Open Pollinated. Sensation Mix cosmos seeds grow some of the season's most timeless and familiar blooms. Sensation...
Arugula Seeds - Rocket (Roquette)
40-50 Days to maturity. Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa ’Rocket’. Rocket (Roquette) Arugula Seeds. Non-GMO, warm weather heirloom annual. Arugula is a nutrient-dense Mediterranean leafy green that has been cultivated in...
Yu Choy Sum Seeds - Jung Green
Yu Choy Sum Seeds - Jung Green. Heirloom, Non-GMO. Brassica rapa var parachinesis. 40-45 days. Warm season annual. Flowering Brassica is a fast growing green that can be harvested as...
Cosmos Seeds - Sonata Mix
49-63 Days to maturity. Cosmos bipinnatus. Sonata Mix Cosmos Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, Heirloom, Open Pollinated. Sonata Mix cosmos seeds grow an effortless and full sun performer perfect for just about...
Okra Seeds - Jing Orange
Jing Orange Okra Seeds. 30 to 60 days to maturity. Abelmoschus esculentus. Heirloom, Annual. Jing Orange is an Asian okra, known for it is stunning red-orange color. Approximately 500 seeds/ounce....
Cosmos Seeds - Cosmic Mix
56-63 Days to maturity. Cosmos sulphureus. Cosmic Mix Cosmos Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, Heirloom, Open Pollinated. Cosmic Mix seeds grow an elegant and award-winning cosmos that promises to invigorate any stale...
Mustard Seeds - Tat Soi - Organic
Organic Tat Soi Mustard Seeds. 45 days to full maturity. 21 days to maturity for baby leaves. Can be grown in containers. Can be grown as sprouts. Brassica rapa. Heirloom,...
Yu Choy Sum Seeds - Early Green
Yu Choy Sum Seeds - Early Green. Heirloom, Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis. Non-GMO. Warm season annual. 30-40 days. Flowering Brassica is a fast growing green that can be harvested as...
Zucchini Seeds - Storrs Green F1 Hybrid
45-50 Days to maturity. Cucurbita pepo. Storrs Green F1 Hybrid Zucchini Summer Squash Vegetable Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid. A very early, medium green variety with sweet flesh and few...
Cucumber Seeds - Morden Early
45-55 Days to Maturity. Cucumis sativus. Morden Early Cucumber Vegetable Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom pickling cucumber. An extra early cucumber well suited to short-season areas. Developed in Manitoba Canada....
Yu Choy Sum Seeds - Late Green
Yu Choy Sum Seeds - Late Green. Heirloom, Non-GMO. Brassica rapa var parachinesis. 45-55 days. Warm season annual. Flowering Brassica is a fast growing green that can be harvested as...
Squash Seeds - Summer - Black Zucchini (Organic)
44-62 Days to maturity. Cucurbita pepo. Organic Black Zucchini Summer Squash Seeds. Non-GMO, warm weather annual, open-pollinated, summer squash. While this variety is named ‘black’, this zucchini actually has a...
Okra Seeds - Rainbow Fiesta
Rainbow Fiesta Okra Seeds. 30 to 60 days to maturity. Abelmoschus esculentus. Open Pollinated. Annual. Approximately 500 seeds/ounce. Okra Seeds - Rainbow Fiesta Rainbow Fiesta is a gorgeous colorful blend...
Bean Seeds - Bush - French Garden Yellow Fillet
45-55 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris. French Garden Yellow Fillet Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, bush, snap, wax bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and...
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