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]()
Dill Seeds - Mammoth Long Island
60-70 days. Long Island Mammoth Dill Seeds. Anethum graveolens. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Known as "Elephant Dill" for significantly longer and feathered 24" tall silvery blue greens, Mammoth Long Island is an...
Pea Seeds - Snap - Sugar Ann
Non-GMO. Heirloom. Sugar Ann Snap Pea Vegetable Garden Seeds. Pisum sativum. Sugar snap peas are a cross between garden and snow peas, as Sugar Ann Snap Peas were later developed...
Lettuce Seeds - Leaf - Ruby Red
Non-GMO Ruby Red Leaf Lettuce is ready in 35-45 days. Lettuce forms compact plants with loose, crumpled reddish-green leaves. Ruby Red is the darkest red of all red lettuces, won't...
Broccoli Seeds - Green Sprouting Calabrese
Brassica oleracea var. capitata (60-90 days). Start Green Sprouting Calabrese broccoli early in the season, and by early summer you will have tons of sweet broccoli. Harvest the central head,...
Beet Seeds - Sugar Beet
Beta vulgaris (90 days) Sugar beets are a natural source of sugar and where most of the sugar industry derives its sugar from these days. Beets are up to 1...
Broccoli Seeds - Di Cicco (Organic)
48 to 70 days. Annual. Organic Heirloom seeds. Di Cicco is an Italian heirloom broccoli dating back to 1890. Very vigorous plants produce heavy crops of 3 to 4 inch-wide,...
Basic Sprouting Kit - Tray Seed Sprouter Kit
Our favorite sprouting starter kit. Comes with the Handy Pantry Sprout Garden (our favorite sprouter) and a great selection of seeds to get you started! The ideal way to get...
Squash Seeds - Summer - Cocozelle Zucchini
50-60 Days to maturity. Cucurbita pepo. Cocozelle Zucchini Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and containers. A traditional Italian heirloom introduced in the...
Beet Seeds - Chioggia
55 Days. Beta vulgaris. Annual. 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...
Sandwich mix (Organic) - Sprouting Seeds
4-6 Days. Organic. Sprouting. Non-GMO. One of our oldest and most popular sprout mixes ever, non-GMO Organic Sandwich Blend features a harmony of spicy radish and mild, earthy clover ideal...
Bean Seeds - Bush - Top Notch Golden Wax
53 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris. Top Notch Golden Wax Bush Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, hybrid, open-pollinated, heirloom, AAS winner, high yielding, deer resistant, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, bush/pole,...
Sunflower Seeds - Autumn Beauty Mix
90-100 Days to maturity. Helianthus annuus. Autumn Beauty Mix Sunflower Seeds: Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. Ornamental. Annual. Heirloom. Autumn Beauty Mix seeds grow one of the summer's most explosive and familiar...
Lettuce Seeds - Romaine - Giant Caesar
Giant Caesar Lettuce Seeds. 70 days to maturity. Lactuca sativa. Heirloom, Annual. The Giant Caesar Lettuce is an amazing bright green loose-leaf romaine type that has a buttery sweet flavor...
Bean Seeds - Bush - Henderson Lima
65-85 Days to maturity. Phaseolus lunatus. Henderson Lima Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, high-yielding, heat-tolerant, drought-tolerant, bush, shell, lima bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds,...
Swiss Chard Seeds - Bright Lights
55 days. AAS Winner for 1998. A vibrant new Swiss Chard. Distinguished by stems of many different colors - gold, pink, orange, purple, red, and white. This variety is a...
Squash Seeds - Winter - Sweet Meat
Non-GMO Sweet Meat Winter Squash is ready in 100 days. USU recommends this variety of winter squash due to the fact it's vigorous, heavy-yielding vines. Fruit on Gill's Sweet Meat...
Melon Seeds - Cantaloupe - Imperial 45
65-85 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Imperial 45 Cantaloupe Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, AAS winner, heat-tolerant Cantaloupe Melon. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and...
Nasturtium Seeds - Alaska
54-63 Days to maturity. Tropaeolum majus. Nasturtium Alaska Mix Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, heirloom. Alaska nasturtium is brilliant, easy to grow from seed, and perfectly suited for many dry and temperate...
Barley - Hulless (Organic) - Sprouting Seeds
5-6 Days. Hordeum vulgare. Organic. Non-GMO. Sprouting. Organic hulless barley is an ancient grain with a modern twist. Similar to wheat and rye sprouting seeds, non-GMO hulless barley is dense...
Bean Seeds - Bush - Provider
50-65 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris. Provider Bush Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, high-yielding, heat-tolerant, bush, snap, green bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and...
Oat Seeds - Hulless - Organic
Avena NudaHulless Oat Spring Planted. 15-16% Protein Level (that is higher than corn) Oats grow quick in cool, moist conditions. Used for hay or the oats themselves. Hulless oats are...
Bean - Broad Windsor Fava - Cover Crop Seeds
80-90 Days. Vicia faba. Annual. Cover Crop. Heirloom. Non-GMO Broad Windsor fava bean seeds grow one of the most beneficial heirloom cover crops available to the home gardener. Popularly sown...
Bean Seeds - Bush - Strike
50-65 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris. Strike Bush Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, high-yielding, bush, snap, green bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses....
Lentil - Green (Organic) - Sprouting Seeds
2-3 Days to Harvest. Lens culinaris. Organic Green Lentil Sprouting Seeds. Organic. Non-GMO. Sprouting. High Germination. Non-GMO Organic green lentil sprouting seeds is a simple and delicious way to enhance...
No-Till Forage Friendly Cover Crop Mix
30-60 Days to termination. No-Till Forage Friendly Cover Crop Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, winter-killing, no-till, and forage-friendly. This mix has been created as a forage-safe option for home gardens, small farms,...
Corn Seeds - Sweet - Silver Queen Hybrid
88 Days to maturity. Zea mays. Silver Queen Hybrid Sweet Corn Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, hybrid, Sweet Corn. Suitable for growing in garden plots or raised beds. Corn tolerates heat and...
French Marigold Seeds - Petite Mixture
56-63 Days to maturity. Tagetes patula. Petite Mixture French Marigold Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated. Petite Mixture French marigold seeds are an adorable, compact, and vibrant addition to grow in any...
Parsley Seeds - Italian Giant (Organic)
70-80 Days to maturity. Petroselinum crispum. Organic Italian Giant Parsley Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Italian Giant...
Radish Seeds - Watermelon
60-65 days. Watermelon Radish Seeds. Raphanus sativus. Non-GMO. Heirloom. AKA: "Roseheart Radish" or "Red Meat Radish". Watermelon Radish seeds are native to China and a cousin to Daikon radish. Watermelon...
[
{
"featured_image": "files/dill-mammoth-long-island-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-sm_d35d71c1-09d6-4a6e-8406-fed7abfc6ab5.png",
"price": 299,
"handle": "dill-mammoth-long-island",
"title": "Dill Seeds - Mammoth Long Island",
"url": "/products/dill-mammoth-long-island",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Cover-Crop-Forage-Friendly-Seeds-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "files/1685461045_Cover-Crop-Forage-Friendly-compressed.jpg",
"price": 513,
"handle": "no-till-forage-friendly-cover-crop-mix",
"title": "No-Till Forage Friendly Cover Crop Mix",
"url": "/products/no-till-forage-friendly-cover-crop-mix",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "files/pea-snap-sugar-ann-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SeedPouch_8b61e9ab-4759-4933-ad8f-10af3764e4c0.jpg",
"price": 329,
"handle": "pea-snap-sugar-ann",
"title": "Pea Seeds - Snap - Sugar Ann",
"url": "/products/pea-snap-sugar-ann",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/lettuce-leaf-ruby-red-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-sprouting-seed_d16c180c-0c31-47e9-86b6-fa967882188b.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "lettuce-leaf-ruby-red-seeds",
"title": "Lettuce Seeds - Leaf - Ruby Red",
"url": "/products/lettuce-leaf-ruby-red-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/green-sprouting-calabrese-broccoli-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Packet_e3f2b09c-c29f-4d68-b797-18ea498a076d.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "green-sprouting-calabrese-broccoli",
"title": "Broccoli Seeds - Green Sprouting Calabrese",
"url": "/products/green-sprouting-calabrese-broccoli",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/sugar-beet-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Packet_e5b57fdc-f939-4286-8b7d-c8fbeea06775.jpg",
"price": 339,
"handle": "sugar-beet-seeds",
"title": "Beet Seeds - Sugar Beet",
"url": "/products/sugar-beet-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Corn_Silver_Queen_Sweet_Hybrid_Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-sm_941cb4bf-cab8-40d0-88e3-a3ec5718846a.png",
"price": 381,
"handle": "silver-queen-hybrid-sweet-corn",
"title": "Corn Seeds - Sweet - Silver Queen Hybrid",
"url": "/products/silver-queen-hybrid-sweet-corn",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Broccoli-Seeds-Di-Cicco-Organic-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_5e6beadc-0426-48a4-ba1a-43d43c2b809d.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "broccoli-di-cicco-organic",
"title": "Broccoli Seeds - Di Cicco (Organic)",
"url": "/products/broccoli-di-cicco-organic",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "products/basic-sprouting-kit-sm.png",
"secondary_image": "products/tray-sprouts-full-grown-wm_700.jpg",
"price": 7918,
"handle": "basic-tray-sprouting-kit",
"title": "Basic Sprouting Kit - Tray Seed Sprouter Kit",
"url": "/products/basic-tray-sprouting-kit",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/cocozelle-zucchini-squash-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Packet_42d39fd9-0bcd-422a-914d-22d268762d44.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "cocozelle-zucchini-squash",
"title": "Squash Seeds - Summer - Cocozelle Zucchini",
"url": "/products/cocozelle-zucchini-squash",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/beet-chioggia-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/MVS-generic-packet_e76f5a34-6328-40df-a2b0-086856bf8008.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "beet-chioggia",
"title": "Beet Seeds - Chioggia",
"url": "/products/beet-chioggia",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/sprouting-mix-sandwich-blend-organic-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-sprouting-seed_3ba7fbc2-e5e2-446b-b620-71c0544ff215.jpg",
"price": 703,
"handle": "sprouting-mix-sandwich-blend-organic-seeds",
"title": "Sandwich mix (Organic) - Sprouting Seeds",
"url": "/products/sprouting-mix-sandwich-blend-organic-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/organic-french-breakfast-radish-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_9fff4a90-3356-4d3b-bb4a-c8835339c920.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "organic-french-breakfast-radish",
"title": "Radish Seeds - French Breakfast - Organic",
"url": "/products/organic-french-breakfast-radish",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/organic-cocozelle-zucchini-squash-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-com-sm_836e7e3f-e094-47cb-beee-e551e488db01.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "organic-cocozelle-zucchini-squash",
"title": "Squash Seeds - Summer - Cocozelle Zucchini (Organic)",
"url": "/products/organic-cocozelle-zucchini-squash",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/bush-bean-wax-top-notch-golden-seed-wm_700_1222x1222_1f6144f9-d25f-4a6c-813f-0b889f300bd7.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-sm_2c73a06b-423a-4048-bb59-f8aa915e4de8.png",
"price": 299,
"handle": "bean-wax-bush-top-notch-golden-wax",
"title": "Bean Seeds - Bush - Top Notch Golden Wax",
"url": "/products/bean-wax-bush-top-notch-golden-wax",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/marigold-petite-mixture-flower-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SeedPouch_563b3d76-ba54-4cb0-98c4-423dd3e114da.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "marigold-petite-mixture-flower-seeds",
"title": "French Marigold Seeds - Petite Mixture",
"url": "/products/marigold-petite-mixture-flower-seeds",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Sunflower-Autumn-Beauty-Mix-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SeedPouch_28b99c70-7adc-4036-9342-54cc5503b6a6.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "sunflower-autumn-beauty-flower-seed",
"title": "Sunflower Seeds - Autumn Beauty Mix",
"url": "/products/sunflower-autumn-beauty-flower-seed",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/lettuce-seeds-romaine-giant-caesar-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/MVS-generic-packet-com_9902bd70-5129-4c4b-9d38-a36613d57d62.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "lettuce-seeds-romaine-giant-caesar",
"title": "Lettuce Seeds - Romaine - Giant Caesar",
"url": "/products/lettuce-seeds-romaine-giant-caesar",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Bean-Lima-Henderson-Lima-Comp_3f9c8070-6aa5-4780-92ec-4cbb29cef56a.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-sm_a2fdc419-d111-4f89-a0ff-825332bfba8e.png",
"price": 309,
"handle": "bean-lima-henderson-lima",
"title": "Bean Seeds - Bush - Henderson Lima",
"url": "/products/bean-lima-henderson-lima",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/swiss-chard-bright-lights-seeds-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SeedPouch_24760ef2-a00e-4e31-9e1b-26f24a9a93d3.jpg",
"price": 349,
"handle": "swiss-chard-bright-lights-seeds",
"title": "Swiss Chard Seeds - Bright Lights",
"url": "/products/swiss-chard-bright-lights-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/sweet-meat-squash_1222x1222_c1131e3b-aaba-47ab-8d49-b0fd87a5cea5.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_1_9d9c2089-aa0e-481a-9c6b-aa34fa70ff33.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "squash-winter-sweet-meat-seeds",
"title": "Squash Seeds - Winter - Sweet Meat",
"url": "/products/squash-winter-sweet-meat-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/melon-cantaloupe-imperial-45-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-wm_0b649a0a-71ae-4ff3-9ae0-768a92012a30.jpg",
"price": 309,
"handle": "melon-cantaloupe-imperial-45-seeds",
"title": "Melon Seeds - Cantaloupe - Imperial 45",
"url": "/products/melon-cantaloupe-imperial-45-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Broccoli-Purple-Sprouting-Organic-Microgreens-Seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/1675274104_CopyofSustainable-WM-Black_600x600px_59_cf78e579-44cd-4607-b0d1-83e0c3036389.jpg",
"price": 702,
"handle": "broccoli-purple-sprouting-organic-microgreens-seeds",
"title": "Broccoli - Purple Sprouting (Organic) - Microgreens Seeds",
"url": "/products/broccoli-purple-sprouting-organic-microgreens-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/certified-organic-heirloom-vegetable-seeds-organic-herb-seeds-organic-giant-italian-parsley-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_49fc660b-c973-4cfa-b28e-ab913ac2e393.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "certified-organic-heirloom-vegetable-seeds-organic-herb-seeds-organic-giant-italian-parsley",
"title": "Parsley Seeds - Italian Giant (Organic)",
"url": "/products/certified-organic-heirloom-vegetable-seeds-organic-herb-seeds-organic-giant-italian-parsley",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "files/nasturtium-seeds-alaska-1-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "",
"price": 299,
"handle": "nasturtium-seeds-alaska-1",
"title": "Nasturtium Seeds - Alaska",
"url": "/products/nasturtium-seeds-alaska-1",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Hulless-Barley-Organic-Sprouting-Seeds-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/1676394597_CopyofSustainable-WM-Black_600x600px_75.jpg",
"price": 199,
"handle": "barley-hulless-organic-sprouting-seeds",
"title": "Barley - Hulless (Organic) - Sprouting Seeds",
"url": "/products/barley-hulless-organic-sprouting-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/bean-bush-provider-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/MVS-generic-packet_1_577ee8c5-7b8b-42f8-b35f-45ca610dcd38.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "bean-bush-provider",
"title": "Bean Seeds - Bush - Provider",
"url": "/products/bean-bush-provider",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/1672156655_CopyofKitazawa-WM-White_600x600px_5_1222x1222_ab3801a2-98fa-4a7a-b606-8b910d400f65.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/1672158557_CopyofKItazawa-WM-Green_600x600px_3.jpg",
"price": 399,
"handle": "radish-watermelon-seed",
"title": "Radish Seeds - Watermelon",
"url": "/products/radish-watermelon-seed",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "files/Oat-Seeds-Hulless-Organic-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "",
"price": 359,
"handle": "heirloom-grain-seed-oat-seed-hulless-oats-hulless-oat",
"title": "Oat Seeds - Hulless - Organic",
"url": "/products/heirloom-grain-seed-oat-seed-hulless-oats-hulless-oat",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/fava-bean-broad-windsor-seed-wm_700_1222x1222_b504819e-a375-4d74-8a45-7a46dd0141c9.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/MVS-generic-packet_1_4c8df9a5-d9a1-4fcc-a9dc-c5c2c6e178d4.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "bean-fava-broad-windsor",
"title": "Bean - Broad Windsor Fava - Cover Crop Seeds",
"url": "/products/bean-fava-broad-windsor",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "products/bush-bean-strike-seed-wm_700.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/MVS-generic-packet_1_70f8a8b1-8aa1-4d12-b71a-a79063215908.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "bean-bush-strike",
"title": "Bean Seeds - Bush - Strike",
"url": "/products/bean-bush-strike",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/green-lentils-organic-sprouting-seed-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/4-oz-green-lentil-seed-wm_700_af26fb61-4aa0-4e52-8085-a46740c45958.jpg",
"price": 664,
"handle": "green-lentils-organic-sprouting-seed",
"title": "Lentil - Green (Organic) - Sprouting Seeds",
"url": "/products/green-lentils-organic-sprouting-seed",
"available": true
}
]
