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.
50
100
true
//store.trueleafmarket.com/cdn/shop/t/54/assets/review-fallback.json?v=33078429469613971781712858278
![Legend: H for Heirloom, O for Organic, A for AAS Winner, F for staff favorites]()
Pea Seeds - Snap - Sugar Sprint
Non-GMO Sugar Spring Snap Peas are ready in 58 days. It is one of the earliest varieties, so plant these in succession for some early spring vegetables. These are delicious...
Bean Seeds - Pole - Kentucky Wonder (Organic)
65 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris. Organic Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, drought tolerant, high-yielding, pole, snap, romano bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots,...
Watermelon Seeds - Giant - Black Diamond
90 Days to maturity. Citrullus lanatus. Black Diamond Watermelon Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat tolerant, seeded, Giant watermelon. Developed in Arkansas in the 1950s. Called black diamond because of...
Cabbage Seeds - All Seasons Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. capitata (87days) (Also known as "The Vandergaw" and "Novelty") A good mid-season cabbage for those regions with a moderate to warm summer. All seasons cabbage is heat...
Carrot Seeds - Chantenay Red Core
65-70 days. Red Core Chantenay carrot Seeds. Daucus carota subsp. sativus. Non-GMO. Heirloom. The Chantenay Red Core carrot seeds produce blunt roots that can grow up to six inches long....
Squash Seeds - Honeynut
Cucurbita moschata (100-110 days) Honey Nut Squash originates from Cornell University. We remember being in Cornell's fields just a few years ago as they were developing this squash. It is...
Swiss Chard Seeds - Fordhook Giant
60 days. The Swiss Chard Fordhook Giant is a variety that can grow to be over two feet tall. This plant produced broad, dark green leaves with bright white stems...
Clover Seeds - Medium Red
Medium Red Clover Seeds. 60-69 days to maturity. trifolium pratense. Open Pollinated, Non-GMO, Annual. Medium red clover is a short-lived perennial used to supply nitrogen. Unlike other legumes, it fixes...
Beet Seeds - Chioggia (Organic)
55 Days. Beta vulgaris. Organic. Open-pollinated. Pronounced "key-oh-jah" after the small Venetian villa town, non-GMO Chioggia beet seeds are a classic Italian garden heirloom grown and sold throughout the Mediterranean...
Pea Seeds - Snap - Sugar Daddy
70-80 Days to maturity. Pisum sativum. Sugar Daddy Snap Pea Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to powdery mildew...
Lettuce Seeds - Romaine - Little Gem (Organic)
Lactuca sativa . (50-55 days) Little Gem lettuce is a tiny single serving size lettuce with rich dark green Organic leaves and a sweet, buttery flavor. Non-astringent flavor makes them...
Zinnia Seeds - Magellan Series (Coated)
55-60 Days to maturity. Zinnia elegans. Magellan Series Zinnia Seeds. Non-GMO, organic, F1 hybrid, annual. Magellan Zinnia Series seeds produce tough, resilient zinnias, best suited for gardens prone to heat...
Broccoli Raab Seeds - Spring Rapini
Brassica rapa (36 days) Broccoli Raab is also known as broccoli Asparago in Italy where it is prized for being a culinary delight. Broccoli Raab Seeds - Spring Rapini Spring...
Rye - Winter (Organic) - Sprouting Seeds
1-2 Days to Harvest. Secale cereale. Organic Winter Rye Sprouting Seeds. Organic. Non-GMO. Sprouting. High Germination. Rye is a delicious grain that is related to wheat and barley. This hulled...
Nasturtium Seeds - Alaska Gold Dwarf
(Tropaeolum majus nanum) Nasturtium is very colorful and easy to grow, making it a great annual ground cover. Deep yellow blooms play across the variegated foliage like gold in a...
Cauliflower Seeds - Snowball Y Improved - Organic
Brassica oleracea (70-80 days) Snowball Y improved was Introduced by Ferry-Morse Seed Company in 1947. It was developed from "Snowball" cauliflower which was around in 1884. Tasty snow white 6",...
Alyssum Seeds - Wonderland Series
63-77 Days to maturity. Lobularia maritima. Wonderland Series Alyssum Seeds. Non-GMO, Open-Pollinated, Annual. Wonderland Series Alyssum flower seeds are a classic and award-winning addition to any home or garden this...
Pea Seeds - Shelling - Green Arrow
65-70 days. Green Arrow Pea Seeds. Pisum sativum. Non-GMO. Hails from England and has been a gourmet variety in the EU for years. It is a heavy yielding shelling pea...
Melon Seeds - Crenshaw - Crenshaw
110 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Crenshaw Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat-tolerant Crenshaw Melon. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. The Crenshaw...
Swiss Chard Seeds - Ruby Red - Organic
55 days. Ruby Red Swiss Chard is a beautiful addition to the garden, and a delicious addition to the kitchen. These plants grow stems up to two feet tall with...
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...
Clover Trio Cover Crop Seed Mix
Variable Days to termination. Clover Trio Cover Crop Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial. This trio of clover is a fantastic choice for attracting pollinators, generating nitrogen, and improving soil tilth. The combination...
African Marigold Seeds - Inca II Series
77-84 Days to maturity. Tagetes erecta. Inca II Series African Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, hybrid. Inca II Series African marigold seeds invite timeless AAS award-winning color for your home, patio,...
Beet Seed - Bulls Blood
40-52 days. The Bull's Blood beet is a variety of beet that has a higher nutritional value than others. In addition to this, Bull's Blood is often grown as an...
Pea Seeds - Snow - Oregon Giant
In 67 days you could be eating Oregon Giant Snow Peas straight from the garden. These snow peas are considered one of the largest, crispiest, and sweetest. Vines stay below...
Lettuce Seeds - Romaine - Cimmaron
65 days. This charming heirloom romaine produces a 10 to 12 inch, deep-red head with good flavor and a crisp tender texture. Virtually impervious to bolting. These non-GMO Cimarron seeds...
Lentil - Red (Organic) - Sprouting Seeds
2-3 Days to Harvest. Lens culinaris. Organic Red Lentil Sprouting Seeds. Organic. Non-GMO. Sprouting. High Germination. A delicious and classic substitute for any green or French lentil, non-GMO organic red...
Okra Seeds - Perkins Long Pod
Abelmoscgus esculentus (55 days) An old favorite in the South this heirloom okra is vigorous growing 5' tall. Perkins Long pod produces a bright green pod, that is 8" long....
Squash Seeds - Summer - Zucchini Grey
45-50 days. Zucchini Grey Summer Squash Seeds. Cucurbita pepo. Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. An Old World heirloom native to Italy, the Zucchini Grey summer squash has been a Mediterranean favorite since...
Bean Seeds - Pole - You Fong Wong Yard Long
70-90 Days to maturity. Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis. You Fong Wong Yard Long Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heat-tolerant, heirloom, pole, snap, Asian, specialty bean. Suitable for growing in containers,...
Mustard - Farmer's Favorite Cover Crop Mix
35-45 Days to maturity. Brassica juncea. Farmer's Favorite Mustard Cover Crop Mix Seeds. Non-GMO, Open Pollinated, Annual. This is a blend of several mustards that work well together to provide...
Lettuce Seeds - Heatwave Mix
45-60 days. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Heatwave Lettuce Seed Mix. Lactuca. The Heatwave Lettuce Mix lettuces that thrive in the heat and remain productive. Our choice "slow-bolt" varieties feature Grand Rapids, Prizehead,...
[
{
"featured_image": "files/Pea-Snap-Sugar-Sprint-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SeedPouch_85a244db-d877-45ec-850f-1f5aa7ecbfbd.jpg",
"price": 339,
"handle": "pea-snap-sugar-sprint",
"title": "Pea Seeds - Snap - Sugar Sprint",
"url": "/products/pea-snap-sugar-sprint",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/organic-kentucky-wonder-pole-bean-seed-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-sm_cb189a94-9ca9-44d9-b103-fb230cae1187.png",
"price": 420,
"handle": "organic-kentucky-wonder-pole-bean-seed",
"title": "Bean Seeds - Pole - Kentucky Wonder (Organic)",
"url": "/products/organic-kentucky-wonder-pole-bean-seed",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Mustard-Farmer_s-Favorite-Cover-Crop-Mix-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "files/MVS_1_lb.jpg",
"price": 569,
"handle": "mustard-farmers-favorite-cover-crop-mix",
"title": "Mustard - Farmer's Favorite Cover Crop Mix",
"url": "/products/mustard-farmers-favorite-cover-crop-mix",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "files/watermelon-seeds-black-diamond-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/MVS-generic-packet_1_afd1b938-68b8-4030-8482-009d36b0aaf0.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "watermelon-seeds-black-diamond",
"title": "Watermelon Seeds - Giant - Black Diamond",
"url": "/products/watermelon-seeds-black-diamond",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/all-seasons-cabbage-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Packet_5f8de5b0-284f-443c-b272-93b9eec31cd3.jpg",
"price": 279,
"handle": "all-seasons-cabbage",
"title": "Cabbage Seeds - All Seasons Cabbage",
"url": "/products/all-seasons-cabbage",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/carrot-chantenay-red-core-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-sm_ab3cffde-de7b-4691-8817-9c5cf8c78d97.png",
"price": 299,
"handle": "carrot-chantenay-red-core",
"title": "Carrot Seeds - Chantenay Red Core",
"url": "/products/carrot-chantenay-red-core",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/honeynut-squash-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-sus-wm-comp_1d897bca-ad1c-45d3-8e5b-8c5aabe43bdb.jpg",
"price": 439,
"handle": "honeynut-squash-seeds",
"title": "Squash Seeds - Honeynut",
"url": "/products/honeynut-squash-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/swiss-chard-fordhook-giant-seeds-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-sprouting-seed_3bc852bd-26d4-444a-82d2-7744105a2281.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "swiss-chard-fordhook-giant-seeds",
"title": "Swiss Chard Seeds - Fordhook Giant",
"url": "/products/swiss-chard-fordhook-giant-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Clover-Seeds-Medium-Red-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-1-lb-com_d3bd5dfb-5c2c-4947-9e84-350f157fc2e5.jpg",
"price": 345,
"handle": "clover-seeds-medium-red",
"title": "Clover Seeds - Medium Red",
"url": "/products/clover-seeds-medium-red",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/beet-chioggia-organic-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_53906f89-058b-4899-a3dc-f0b4934c067d.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "beet-chioggia-organic",
"title": "Beet Seeds - Chioggia (Organic)",
"url": "/products/beet-chioggia-organic",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "products/pea-snap-sugar-daddy-seed-wm_700.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SeedPouch_b7913525-32f8-4969-8de1-d5b5d8c6c95a.jpg",
"price": 329,
"handle": "pea-snap-sugar-daddy",
"title": "Pea Seeds - Snap - Sugar Daddy",
"url": "/products/pea-snap-sugar-daddy",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/lettuce-little-gem-com-wm_82ae2ac5-270d-448b-a0aa-ce99cdf5cf4d.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-1-oz-sm_1_1_2_2566c0d0-3d76-4410-beb5-bf777d7dbb66.jpg",
"price": 199,
"handle": "organic-little-gem-lettuce-seeds",
"title": "Lettuce Seeds - Romaine - Little Gem (Organic)",
"url": "/products/organic-little-gem-lettuce-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Zinnia-Seeds-Magellan-Series-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/zinnia-magellan-ivory-flower-wm_700.jpg",
"price": 199,
"handle": "zinnia-magellan-series-flower-seed",
"title": "Zinnia Seeds - Magellan Series (Coated)",
"url": "/products/zinnia-magellan-series-flower-seed",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Broccoli-Raab-Spring-Rapini-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "files/Broccoli_Raab_Spring_Rapini_Organic_1_Comp.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "spring-raab-rapini-broccoli",
"title": "Broccoli Raab Seeds - Spring Rapini",
"url": "/products/spring-raab-rapini-broccoli",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "products/rye-sprouts-sm.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/16-oz-rye-grain-bag-seed-wm_700_11fd7dbb-1190-412f-84b3-7a41477a3ba0.jpg",
"price": 349,
"handle": "rye-grain-seed-organic",
"title": "Rye - Winter (Organic) - Sprouting Seeds",
"url": "/products/rye-grain-seed-organic",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/lettuce-seeds-heatwave-mix-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_1_1_1_1_1_567fdc09-c212-4977-aaab-3be2b3680925.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "lettuce-seeds-heatwave-mix",
"title": "Lettuce Seeds - Heatwave Mix",
"url": "/products/lettuce-seeds-heatwave-mix",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "files/dwarf-nasturtium-alaska-gold-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-generic-packet_1_1_1_7745c43e-e760-45b3-8a13-9835ebd7f89a.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "dwarf-nasturtium-alaska-gold",
"title": "Nasturtium Seeds - Alaska Gold Dwarf",
"url": "/products/dwarf-nasturtium-alaska-gold",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/organic-snowball-y-improved-cauliflower-seeds-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_677201f4-5ba9-4a50-add2-d5ec5d23c6f2.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "organic-snowball-y-improved-cauliflower-seeds",
"title": "Cauliflower Seeds - Snowball Y Improved - Organic",
"url": "/products/organic-snowball-y-improved-cauliflower-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "products/alyssum-wonderland-series-mulberry-mix-seed-wm_700.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/alyssum-wonderland-series-blue-seed-wm_700.jpg",
"price": 389,
"handle": "alyssum-wonderland-series-flower-seeds",
"title": "Alyssum Seeds - Wonderland Series",
"url": "/products/alyssum-wonderland-series-flower-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/pea-green-arrow-seed-wm_700_1222x1222_a5bedfaf-ec5e-459e-9f8c-838935383186.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SeedPouch_0cfe8a60-7061-45a8-b08b-1034881ac1bb.jpg",
"price": 339,
"handle": "pea-green-arrow-seed",
"title": "Pea Seeds - Shelling - Green Arrow",
"url": "/products/pea-green-arrow-seed",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/melon-crenshaw-crenshaw-seeds-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_2.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "melon-crenshaw-crenshaw-seeds",
"title": "Melon Seeds - Crenshaw - Crenshaw",
"url": "/products/melon-crenshaw-crenshaw-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/swiss-chard-seeds-ruby-red-organic-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_67923db5-9ff6-42db-b679-6bd14a20627f.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "swiss-chard-seeds-ruby-red-organic",
"title": "Swiss Chard Seeds - Ruby Red - Organic",
"url": "/products/swiss-chard-seeds-ruby-red-organic",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Arugula-Seeds-Rocket-Roquette-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "",
"price": 299,
"handle": "arugula-seeds-rocket-roquette",
"title": "Arugula Seeds - Rocket (Roquette)",
"url": "/products/arugula-seeds-rocket-roquette",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Clover-Trio-Cover-Crop-Seed-Mix-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "files/Cover-Crop-Mix-Clover-Trio-Flower-Collage_1a3d3d92-4c3b-4e32-baa6-8b13ebe467e0.jpg",
"price": 639,
"handle": "clover-trio-cover-crop-seed-mix",
"title": "Clover Trio Cover Crop Seed Mix",
"url": "/products/clover-trio-cover-crop-seed-mix",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Marigold_Inca_II_Series_Mix_Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "files/marigold-inca-ii-series-flower-seed-comp.jpg",
"price": 479,
"handle": "marigold-inca-ii-series-flower-seed",
"title": "African Marigold Seeds - Inca II Series",
"url": "/products/marigold-inca-ii-series-flower-seed",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/beet-bulls-blood-seed-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/MVS-generic-packet_a8e385fa-3384-4ab8-bb24-e7a874a1fe37.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "beet-bulls-blood-seed",
"title": "Beet Seed - Bulls Blood",
"url": "/products/beet-bulls-blood-seed",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/pea-snow-oregon-giant-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SeedPouch_1d2e6ee9-493d-4858-b0e2-c20a2260c6e3.jpg",
"price": 329,
"handle": "pea-snow-oregon-giant",
"title": "Pea Seeds - Snow - Oregon Giant",
"url": "/products/pea-snow-oregon-giant",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/lettuce-romaine-cimmaron-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-1-oz-sm_1_1_377a1f0f-c539-4de5-8aef-adb7148698cf.png",
"price": 299,
"handle": "lettuce-romaine-cimmaron-seeds",
"title": "Lettuce Seeds - Romaine - Cimmaron",
"url": "/products/lettuce-romaine-cimmaron-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Red-Lentil-Organic-Sprouting-Seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/16-oz-red-lentil-seed-wm_700.jpg",
"price": 1337,
"handle": "red-lentils-sprouting-seed-organic",
"title": "Lentil - Red (Organic) - Sprouting Seeds",
"url": "/products/red-lentils-sprouting-seed-organic",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/perkins-long-pod-okra-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Packet_37ef7f93-f79e-4512-b508-119c18930787.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "perkins-long-pod-okra",
"title": "Okra Seeds - Perkins Long Pod",
"url": "/products/perkins-long-pod-okra",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/squash-summer-zucchini-grey-seeds-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_1_1c727357-2ff3-4dc3-816d-67afaebe792c.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "squash-summer-zucchini-grey-seeds",
"title": "Squash Seeds - Summer - Zucchini Grey",
"url": "/products/squash-summer-zucchini-grey-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/yard-long-bean-you-fong-wong-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-premium_24030b08-23d7-4a65-9fc4-06d9bdac5497.png",
"price": 399,
"handle": "yard-long-bean-you-fong-wong",
"title": "Bean Seeds - Pole - You Fong Wong Yard Long",
"url": "/products/yard-long-bean-you-fong-wong",
"available": true
}
]
