What to plant in April in Arizona
In Arizona (AZ), April comes about 4 weeks after the average last frost (March 15). The state averages 245 frost-free days a year (last frost March 15, first frost November 15; USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b).
58 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including ground cherry, new zealand spinach, peanut, pumpkin, rosemary, shiso (perilla) - and 53 of those windows close during April.
Dates here come from Arizona frost dates (last frost Mar 15, first frost Nov 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pumpkin, tomato or winter squash in Arizona.
Arizona covers a very wide range of climates, so dates near you can be two weeks or more either side of these. Enter your ZIP code in the planting calendar for dates tuned to your town.
Arizona: planting activity through the year
Last chance in April
Ground Cherry (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · New Zealand Spinach (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Peanut (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Pumpkin (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Rosemary (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Shiso (Perilla) (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Summer Savory (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Sunflower (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Sweet Marjoram (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Tomatillo (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Tomato (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Winter Squash (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Amaranth (Leaf) (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Bush Bean (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Edamame (Soybean) (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · New Zealand Spinach (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Pole Bean (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Pumpkin (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Shiso (Perilla) (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Summer Savory (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Sweet Corn (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Sweet Marjoram (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Winter Squash (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Basil (transplant outdoors, by Apr 8) · Bell Pepper (transplant outdoors, by Apr 8) · Bitter Melon (transplant outdoors, by Apr 8) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (transplant outdoors, by Apr 8) · Chili Pepper (transplant outdoors, by Apr 8) · Cucamelon (transplant outdoors, by Apr 8) · Cucumber (transplant outdoors, by Apr 8) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (transplant outdoors, by Apr 8) · Malabar Spinach (transplant outdoors, by Apr 8) · Okra (transplant outdoors, by Apr 8) · Watermelon (transplant outdoors, by Apr 8) · Basil (direct sow (spring), by Apr 12) · Bitter Melon (direct sow (spring), by Apr 12) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (direct sow (spring), by Apr 12) · Chayote (direct sow (spring), by Apr 12) · Cucamelon (direct sow (spring), by Apr 12) · Cucumber (direct sow (spring), by Apr 12) · Lima Bean (direct sow (spring), by Apr 12) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (direct sow (spring), by Apr 12) · Malabar Spinach (direct sow (spring), by Apr 12) · Okra (direct sow (spring), by Apr 12) · Peanut (direct sow (spring), by Apr 12) · Southern Pea (Cowpea) (direct sow (spring), by Apr 12) · Watermelon (direct sow (spring), by Apr 12) · Eggplant (transplant outdoors, by Apr 15) · Ginger (transplant outdoors, by Apr 15) · Sweet Potato (transplant outdoors, by Apr 15) · Turmeric (transplant outdoors, by Apr 15)
Sow or plant outdoors in April (53)
Direct sowing and transplanting windows that fall in April, most urgent first. Windows are one-to-two-week bands around the ideal date.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Cherry | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Peanut | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Pumpkin | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Rosemary | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Summer Savory | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Sunflower | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Tomatillo | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Tomato | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Winter Squash | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Amaranth (Leaf) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Edamame (Soybean) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Pole Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Summer Savory | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Basil | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Last chance - ends Apr 8 |
| Bell Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Last chance - ends Apr 8 |
| Bitter Melon | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Last chance - ends Apr 8 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Last chance - ends Apr 8 |
| Chili Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Last chance - ends Apr 8 |
| Cucamelon | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Last chance - ends Apr 8 |
| Cucumber | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Last chance - ends Apr 8 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Last chance - ends Apr 8 |
| Malabar Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Last chance - ends Apr 8 |
| Okra | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Last chance - ends Apr 8 |
| Watermelon | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Last chance - ends Apr 8 |
| Basil | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Last chance - ends Apr 12 |
| Bitter Melon | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Last chance - ends Apr 12 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Last chance - ends Apr 12 |
| Chayote | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Last chance - ends Apr 12 |
| Cucamelon | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Last chance - ends Apr 12 |
| Cucumber | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Last chance - ends Apr 12 |
| Lima Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Last chance - ends Apr 12 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Last chance - ends Apr 12 |
| Malabar Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Last chance - ends Apr 12 |
| Okra | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Last chance - ends Apr 12 |
| Peanut | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Last chance - ends Apr 12 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Last chance - ends Apr 12 |
| Watermelon | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Last chance - ends Apr 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Pea: sow again on Apr 9
- Lettuce: sow again on Apr 6 and Apr 18
- Spinach: sow again on Apr 9
- Carrot: sow again on Apr 17
- Beet: sow again on Apr 10
- Radish: sow again on Apr 6 and Apr 16
- Cilantro / Coriander: sow again on Apr 6
- Dill: sow again on Apr 5
- Arugula: sow again on Apr 4 and Apr 16
- Turnip: sow again on Apr 5 and Apr 19
- Kohlrabi: sow again on Apr 5 and Apr 19
- Bok Choy / Pak Choi: sow again on Apr 12
- Mustard Greens: sow again on Apr 5 and Apr 19
- Green Onion / Scallion: sow again on Apr 19
- Fennel (Bulb): sow again on Apr 19
- Endive & Escarole: sow again on Apr 12
- Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on Apr 5 and Apr 19
- Rapini (Broccoli Raab): sow again on Apr 5 and Apr 19
- Tatsoi: sow again on Apr 4 and Apr 16
- Mizuna: sow again on Apr 4 and Apr 16
- Chervil: sow again on Apr 5 and Apr 19
- Watercress: sow again on Apr 12
Harvesting in April
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
Planting dates for popular crops in Arizona
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Arizona: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Main planting month: April garden jobs in Arizona
- With the average last frost on March 15, 36 crops can go in outdoors this month, including ground cherry, new zealand spinach, peanut, pumpkin.
- Transplant on a cloudy afternoon and water in well - see transplanting seedlings without shock.
- Once the soil has warmed, lay mulch around established plants to hold moisture and smother weeds.
- Sow quick crops little and often - lettuce, radish and beans every two to three weeks give a steady harvest instead of a glut (succession planting).
USDA zone chart for Arizona
Arizona spans USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.
Questions gardeners ask
What vegetables can I plant in Arizona in April?
58 crops have a window in April: ground cherry, new zealand spinach, peanut, pumpkin, rosemary, shiso (perilla), summer savory, sunflower, sweet marjoram, tomatillo and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Arizona in April?
No - transplant outdoors runs Mar 15 – Apr 1 in Arizona, so do it before April 1.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Arizona in April?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Arizona the next lettuce window opens around September 10: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in Arizona?
The statewide average first fall frost is around November 15 and the last spring frost around March 15. Arizona covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Arizona in April?
From plantings made on time: tatsoi, mizuna, mustard greens, mache (corn salad), lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil, pea, bok choy / pak choi.
What to plant in April in other states
Dates are computed from Arizona’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.