My Planting Calendar

What to plant in April in California

In California (CA), April is the heart of the growing season - about 8 weeks after the last frost (February 20) and 33 weeks before the first (December 1). The state averages 284 frost-free days a year (last frost February 20, first frost December 1; USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b).

9 crops have a sowing or planting window this month.

Dates here come from California frost dates (last frost Feb 20, first frost Dec 1). For one crop in detail, see when to plant tomato, lettuce or garlic in California.

Peak growing seasonSow or plant: 9Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 39

California 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.

California: planting activity through the year

70
83
63
9
9
9
3
9
29
20
2
25
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Feb 20 – Dec 1
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 9 have one in April; the busiest month is February (83).

Keep sowing (succession)

Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.

Harvesting in April

First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.

Lettuce · Mar 8 – Apr 7Beet · Mar 14 – Apr 3Kale · Mar 21 – Apr 5Cilantro / Coriander · Mar 23 – Apr 17Green Onion / Scallion · Mar 24 – Apr 13Collard Greens · Mar 26 – Apr 15Swiss Chard · Mar 28 – Apr 7Napa Cabbage · Mar 28 – Apr 22Watercress · Mar 28 – Apr 7Amaranth (Leaf) · Mar 29 – Apr 18Cabbage · Mar 31 – May 10Carrot · Mar 31 – Apr 20Dill · Apr 1 – Apr 21Borage · Apr 2 – Apr 22Basil · Apr 5 – May 5Broccoli · Apr 7 – May 2Cauliflower · Apr 7 – May 7Radicchio · Apr 7 – May 17Fava Bean (Broad Bean) · Apr 8 – Apr 23Zucchini / Summer Squash · Apr 13 – Apr 28Tarragon · Apr 14 – May 14Potato · Apr 17 – Jun 6Parsley · Apr 17 – May 7Bush Bean · Apr 18 – Apr 28New Zealand Spinach · Apr 18 – May 8Fennel (Bulb) · Apr 19 – May 14Summer Savory · Apr 23 – May 8Mint · Apr 24 – May 14Lemon Balm · Apr 24 – May 14Cucumber · Apr 25 – May 15Okra · Apr 25 – May 10Tomato · Apr 28 – May 23Pole Bean · Apr 28 – May 8Sweet Corn · Apr 28 – Jun 7Sweet Marjoram · Apr 28 – May 18Onion · Apr 30 – May 30Shallot · Apr 30 – May 30Bitter Melon · Apr 30 – May 20Malabar Spinach · Apr 30 – May 15

Planting dates for popular crops in California

Every crop has its own full-year dates for California: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.

When to plant tomato in California →When to plant lettuce in California →When to plant garlic in California →When to plant bell pepper in California →When to plant carrot in California →When to plant onion in California →When to plant pea in California →When to plant spinach in California →California frost dates by zone →

Peak growing season: April garden jobs in California

  1. Water deeply two or three times a week rather than a little every day - about an inch a week, more in heat. See watering a vegetable garden.
  2. 33 weeks until the average first frost (December 1). Plan the fall garden now - most fall crops are sown 8-12 weeks before first frost. See the fall and winter garden guide.
  3. Check the undersides of leaves twice a week - catching pests early is most of the battle (pest identification guide).
  4. Harvest often: lettuce, beet, kale, cilantro / coriander should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.

USDA zone chart for California

California spans USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.

ZoneLast frostFirst frostSeason
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days
Zone 6Apr 15Oct 15185 days
Zone 7Apr 5Oct 25200 days
Zone 8Mar 20Nov 5230 days
Zone 9Feb 20Nov 30280 days
Zone 10Jan 30Dec 15330 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in California in April?

9 crops have a window in April: . The tables above give the exact dates for each.

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in California in April?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In California the next tomato window opens around December 26: start seeds indoors.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in California in April?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In California the next lettuce window opens around September 26: sow for a fall crop.

When is the first frost in California?

The statewide average first fall frost is around December 1 and the last spring frost around February 20. California 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 California in April?

From plantings made on time: lettuce, beet, kale, cilantro / coriander, green onion / scallion, collard greens, swiss chard, napa cabbage, watercress, amaranth (leaf).

← March in CaliforniaMay in California →Full-year California planting calendar →California frost dates →

What to plant in April in other states

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaAll states →

Dates are computed from California’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.