What to plant in April in Louisiana

In Louisiana (LA), April is the heart of the growing season - about 6 weeks after the last frost (March 5) and 31 weeks before the first (November 15). The state averages 255 frost-free days a year (last frost March 5, first frost November 15; USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b).

40 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including basil, bitter melon, cantaloupe / muskmelon, chayote, cucamelon, cucumber - and 17 of those windows close during April.

Dates here come from Louisiana frost dates (last frost Mar 5, first frost Nov 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant basil, cantaloupe or cucumber in Louisiana.

Peak growing seasonSow or plant: 40Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 29

Louisiana: planting activity through the year

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Frost riskFrost-free: Mar 5 – Nov 15

Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 40 have one in April; the busiest month is March (84).

Last chance in April

Basil (direct sow (spring), by Apr 2) · Bitter Melon (direct sow (spring), by Apr 2) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (direct sow (spring), by Apr 2) · Chayote (direct sow (spring), by Apr 2) · Cucamelon (direct sow (spring), by Apr 2) · Cucumber (direct sow (spring), by Apr 2) · Lima Bean (direct sow (spring), by Apr 2) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (direct sow (spring), by Apr 2) · Malabar Spinach (direct sow (spring), by Apr 2) · Okra (direct sow (spring), by Apr 2) · Peanut (direct sow (spring), by Apr 2) · Southern Pea (Cowpea) (direct sow (spring), by Apr 2) · Watermelon (direct sow (spring), by Apr 2) · Eggplant (transplant outdoors, by Apr 5) · Ginger (transplant outdoors, by Apr 5) · Sweet Potato (transplant outdoors, by Apr 5) · Turmeric (transplant outdoors, by Apr 5)

Sow or plant outdoors in April (17)

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
Basil	Direct sow (spring)	Mar 14 – Apr 2	Last chance - ends Apr 2
Bitter Melon	Direct sow (spring)	Mar 14 – Apr 2	Last chance - ends Apr 2
Cantaloupe / Muskmelon	Direct sow (spring)	Mar 14 – Apr 2	Last chance - ends Apr 2
Chayote	Direct sow (spring)	Mar 14 – Apr 2	Last chance - ends Apr 2
Cucamelon	Direct sow (spring)	Mar 14 – Apr 2	Last chance - ends Apr 2
Cucumber	Direct sow (spring)	Mar 14 – Apr 2	Last chance - ends Apr 2
Lima Bean	Direct sow (spring)	Mar 14 – Apr 2	Last chance - ends Apr 2
Luffa (Loofah Gourd)	Direct sow (spring)	Mar 14 – Apr 2	Last chance - ends Apr 2
Malabar Spinach	Direct sow (spring)	Mar 14 – Apr 2	Last chance - ends Apr 2
Okra	Direct sow (spring)	Mar 14 – Apr 2	Last chance - ends Apr 2
Peanut	Direct sow (spring)	Mar 14 – Apr 2	Last chance - ends Apr 2
Southern Pea (Cowpea)	Direct sow (spring)	Mar 14 – Apr 2	Last chance - ends Apr 2
Watermelon	Direct sow (spring)	Mar 14 – Apr 2	Last chance - ends Apr 2
Eggplant	Transplant outdoors	Mar 19 – Apr 5	Last chance - ends Apr 5
Ginger	Transplant outdoors	Mar 19 – Apr 5	Last chance - ends Apr 5
Sweet Potato	Transplant outdoors	Mar 19 – Apr 5	Last chance - ends Apr 5
Turmeric	Transplant outdoors	Mar 19 – Apr 5	Last chance - ends Apr 5

Keep sowing (succession)

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

Zucchini / Summer Squash: sow again on Apr 9
Bush Bean: sow again on Apr 9 and Apr 23
Lettuce: sow again on Apr 8
Carrot: sow again on Apr 7
Radish: sow again on Apr 6
Sweet Corn: sow again on Apr 9 and Apr 23
Arugula: sow again on Apr 6
Turnip: sow again on Apr 9
Kohlrabi: sow again on Apr 9
Bok Choy / Pak Choi: sow again on Apr 2
Mustard Greens: sow again on Apr 9
Green Onion / Scallion: sow again on Apr 9
Fennel (Bulb): sow again on Apr 9
Endive & Escarole: sow again on Apr 2
Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on Apr 9
Edamame (Soybean): sow again on Apr 9 and Apr 23
Sunflower: sow again on Apr 9 and Apr 23
Rapini (Broccoli Raab): sow again on Apr 9
Tatsoi: sow again on Apr 6
Mizuna: sow again on Apr 6
Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on Apr 9 and Apr 23
Chervil: sow again on Apr 9
Watercress: sow again on Apr 2

Harvesting in April

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

Lettuce · Mar 21 – Apr 20 Turnip · Mar 24 – Apr 13 Rapini (Broccoli Raab) · Mar 24 – Apr 13 Chervil · Mar 24 – Apr 13 Pea · Mar 25 – Apr 9 Bok Choy / Pak Choi · Mar 26 – Apr 10 Beet · Mar 27 – Apr 16 Kohlrabi · Mar 29 – Apr 13 Kale · Apr 3 – Apr 18 Cilantro / Coriander · Apr 5 – Apr 30 Green Onion / Scallion · Apr 6 – Apr 26 Collard Greens · Apr 8 – Apr 28 Swiss Chard · Apr 10 – Apr 20 Napa Cabbage · Apr 10 – May 5 Watercress · Apr 10 – Apr 20 Amaranth (Leaf) · Apr 11 – May 1 Cabbage · Apr 13 – May 23 Carrot · Apr 13 – May 3 Dill · Apr 14 – May 4 Borage · Apr 15 – May 5 Basil · Apr 18 – May 18 Broccoli · Apr 20 – May 15 Cauliflower · Apr 20 – May 20 Radicchio · Apr 20 – May 30 Fava Bean (Broad Bean) · Apr 21 – May 6 Zucchini / Summer Squash · Apr 26 – May 11 Tarragon · Apr 27 – May 27 Potato · Apr 30 – Jun 19 Parsley · Apr 30 – May 20

Planting dates for popular crops in Louisiana

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

When to plant basil in Louisiana →When to plant cantaloupe in Louisiana →When to plant cucumber in Louisiana →When to plant okra in Louisiana →When to plant watermelon in Louisiana →When to plant eggplant in Louisiana →When to plant tomato in Louisiana →When to plant lettuce in Louisiana →Louisiana frost dates by zone →

Peak growing season: April garden jobs in Louisiana

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.
31 weeks until the average first frost (November 15). Plan the fall garden now - most fall crops are sown 8-12 weeks before first frost. See the fall and winter garden guide.
Check the undersides of leaves twice a week - catching pests early is most of the battle (pest identification guide).
Harvest often: lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.

USDA zone chart for Louisiana

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

Zone	Last frost	First frost	Season
Zone 8	Mar 20	Nov 5	230 days
Zone 9	Feb 20	Nov 30	280 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Louisiana in April?

40 crops have a window in April: basil, bitter melon, cantaloupe / muskmelon, chayote, cucamelon, cucumber, lima bean, luffa (loofah gourd), malabar spinach, okra and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.

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

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Louisiana have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about January 8.

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

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Louisiana the next lettuce window opens around September 10: sow for a fall crop.

When is the first frost in Louisiana?

The statewide average first fall frost is around November 15 and the last spring frost around March 5. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What can I harvest in Louisiana in April?

From plantings made on time: lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil, pea, bok choy / pak choi, beet, kohlrabi, kale, cilantro / coriander.

← March in Louisiana May in Louisiana →Full-year Louisiana planting calendar →Louisiana frost dates →

What to plant in April in other states

Alabama Arkansas Florida Mississippi Alaska Arizona California Colorado All states →

Dates are computed from Louisiana’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.