What to plant in April in Maryland
In Maryland (MD), the average last frost (April 14) falls in April itself. The state averages 189 frost-free days a year (last frost April 14, first frost October 20; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a).
89 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including cabbage, collard greens, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, onion - and 48 of those windows close during April.
Dates here come from Maryland frost dates (last frost Apr 14, first frost Oct 20). For one crop in detail, see when to plant cabbage, kale or onion in Maryland.
Maryland 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.
Maryland: planting activity through the year
Last chance in April
Cabbage (transplant outdoors, by Apr 3) · Collard Greens (transplant outdoors, by Apr 3) · Horseradish (plant crowns / divisions, by Apr 3) · Kale (transplant outdoors, by Apr 3) · Kohlrabi (transplant outdoors, by Apr 3) · Onion (transplant outdoors, by Apr 3) · Rhubarb (plant crowns / divisions, by Apr 3) · Shallot (transplant outdoors, by Apr 3) · Carrot (direct sow (spring), by Apr 7) · Chervil (direct sow (spring), by Apr 7) · Endive & Escarole (direct sow (spring), by Apr 7) · Kohlrabi (direct sow (spring), by Apr 7) · Lettuce (direct sow (spring), by Apr 7) · Mustard Greens (direct sow (spring), by Apr 7) · Rapini (Broccoli Raab) (direct sow (spring), by Apr 7) · Turnip (direct sow (spring), by Apr 7) · Watercress (direct sow (spring), by Apr 7) · Asparagus (plant crowns / divisions, by Apr 10) · Bok Choy / Pak Choi (transplant outdoors, by Apr 10) · Broccoli (transplant outdoors, by Apr 10) · Brussels Sprouts (transplant outdoors, by Apr 10) · Cauliflower (transplant outdoors, by Apr 10) · Chives (plant crowns / divisions, by Apr 10) · Endive & Escarole (transplant outdoors, by Apr 10) · Leek (transplant outdoors, by Apr 10) · Lettuce (transplant outdoors, by Apr 10) · Napa Cabbage (transplant outdoors, by Apr 10) · Parsley (transplant outdoors, by Apr 10) · Radicchio (transplant outdoors, by Apr 10) · Sorrel (plant crowns / divisions, by Apr 10) · Swiss Chard (transplant outdoors, by Apr 10) · Watercress (transplant outdoors, by Apr 10) · Bok Choy / Pak Choi (direct sow (spring), by Apr 14) · Borage (direct sow (spring), by Apr 14) · Cilantro / Coriander (direct sow (spring), by Apr 14) · Collard Greens (direct sow (spring), by Apr 14) · Kale (direct sow (spring), by Apr 14) · Leek (direct sow (spring), by Apr 14) · Napa Cabbage (direct sow (spring), by Apr 14) · Parsley (direct sow (spring), by Apr 14) · Potato (direct sow (spring), by Apr 14) · Radicchio (direct sow (spring), by Apr 14) · Salsify (direct sow (spring), by Apr 14) · Fennel (Bulb) (transplant outdoors, by Apr 17) · Globe Artichoke (plant crowns / divisions, by Apr 17) · Lemon Balm (transplant outdoors, by Apr 17) · Mint (transplant outdoors, by Apr 17) · Tarragon (transplant outdoors, by Apr 17)
Sow or plant outdoors in April (112)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Collard Greens | Transplant outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Horseradish | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 17 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Kale | Transplant outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Kohlrabi | Transplant outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Onion | Transplant outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Rhubarb | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 17 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Shallot | Transplant outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Carrot | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 7 | Last chance - ends Apr 7 |
| Chervil | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 7 | Last chance - ends Apr 7 |
| Endive & Escarole | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 7 | Last chance - ends Apr 7 |
| Kohlrabi | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 7 | Last chance - ends Apr 7 |
| Lettuce | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 7 | Last chance - ends Apr 7 |
| Mustard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 7 | Last chance - ends Apr 7 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 7 | Last chance - ends Apr 7 |
| Turnip | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 7 | Last chance - ends Apr 7 |
| Watercress | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 7 | Last chance - ends Apr 7 |
| Asparagus | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 24 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Cauliflower | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Chives | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 24 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Endive & Escarole | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Leek | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Lettuce | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Napa Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Parsley | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Radicchio | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Sorrel | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 24 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Swiss Chard | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Watercress | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 14 | Last chance - ends Apr 14 |
| Borage | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 14 | Last chance - ends Apr 14 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 14 | Last chance - ends Apr 14 |
| Collard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 14 | Last chance - ends Apr 14 |
| Kale | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 14 | Last chance - ends Apr 14 |
| Leek | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 14 | Last chance - ends Apr 14 |
| Napa Cabbage | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 14 | Last chance - ends Apr 14 |
| Parsley | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 14 | Last chance - ends Apr 14 |
| Potato | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 14 | Last chance - ends Apr 14 |
| Radicchio | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 14 | Last chance - ends Apr 14 |
| Salsify | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 14 | Last chance - ends Apr 14 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Globe Artichoke | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 31 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Lemon Balm | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Mint | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Tarragon | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 21 | Apr 2 – Apr 21 |
| Lemon Balm | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 21 | Apr 2 – Apr 21 |
| Parsnip | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 21 | Apr 2 – Apr 21 |
| Swiss Chard | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 21 | Apr 2 – Apr 21 |
| Celeriac | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – Apr 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 24 |
| Celery | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – Apr 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 24 |
| Oregano | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – Apr 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 24 |
| Sage | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – Apr 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 24 |
| Thyme | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – Apr 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 24 |
| Dill | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 28 | Apr 9 – Apr 28 |
| Sunflower | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 28 | Apr 9 – Apr 28 |
| Ground Cherry | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 1 | Opens Apr 14 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 1 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Peanut | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 1 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Pumpkin | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 1 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Rosemary | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 1 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 1 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Summer Savory | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 1 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Sunflower | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 1 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 1 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Tomatillo | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 1 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Tomato | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 1 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Winter Squash | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 1 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 1 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Amaranth (Leaf) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 16 – May 5 | Opens Apr 16 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 16 – May 5 | Opens Apr 16 |
| Edamame (Soybean) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 16 – May 5 | Opens Apr 16 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 16 – May 5 | Opens Apr 16 |
| Pole Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 16 – May 5 | Opens Apr 16 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 16 – May 5 | Opens Apr 16 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 16 – May 5 | Opens Apr 16 |
| Summer Savory | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 16 – May 5 | Opens Apr 16 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 16 – May 5 | Opens Apr 16 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 16 – May 5 | Opens Apr 16 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 16 – May 5 | Opens Apr 16 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 16 – May 5 | Opens Apr 16 |
| Basil | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 8 | Opens Apr 21 |
| Bell Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 8 | Opens Apr 21 |
| Bitter Melon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 8 | Opens Apr 21 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 8 | Opens Apr 21 |
| Chili Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 8 | Opens Apr 21 |
| Cucamelon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 8 | Opens Apr 21 |
| Cucumber | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 8 | Opens Apr 21 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 8 | Opens Apr 21 |
| Malabar Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 8 | Opens Apr 21 |
| Okra | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 8 | Opens Apr 21 |
| Watermelon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 8 | Opens Apr 21 |
| Basil | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 23 – May 12 | Opens Apr 23 |
| Bitter Melon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 23 – May 12 | Opens Apr 23 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 23 – May 12 | Opens Apr 23 |
| Chayote | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 23 – May 12 | Opens Apr 23 |
| Cucamelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 23 – May 12 | Opens Apr 23 |
| Cucumber | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 23 – May 12 | Opens Apr 23 |
| Lima Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 23 – May 12 | Opens Apr 23 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 23 – May 12 | Opens Apr 23 |
| Malabar Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 23 – May 12 | Opens Apr 23 |
| Okra | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 23 – May 12 | Opens Apr 23 |
| Peanut | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 23 – May 12 | Opens Apr 23 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 23 – May 12 | Opens Apr 23 |
| Watermelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 23 – May 12 | Opens Apr 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 15 | Opens Apr 28 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 15 | Opens Apr 28 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 15 | Opens Apr 28 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 15 | Opens Apr 28 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Pea: sow again on Apr 3 and Apr 15 and Apr 27
- Spinach: sow again on Apr 3 and Apr 15 and Apr 27
- Beet: sow again on Apr 4 and Apr 22
- Radish: sow again on Apr 6 and Apr 16 and Apr 26
- Arugula: sow again on Apr 10 and Apr 22
- Green Onion / Scallion: sow again on Apr 7 and Apr 28
- Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on Apr 7 and Apr 21
- Tatsoi: sow again on Apr 10 and Apr 22
- Mizuna: sow again on Apr 10 and Apr 22
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 Maryland
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Maryland: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Main planting month: April garden jobs in Maryland
- With the average last frost on April 14, 80 crops can go in outdoors this month, including cabbage, collard greens, horseradish, kale.
- 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 Maryland
Maryland spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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 Maryland in April?
89 crops have a window in April: cabbage, collard greens, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, onion, rhubarb, shallot, carrot, chervil and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Maryland in April?
No - transplant outdoors runs Apr 14 – May 1 in Maryland.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Maryland in April?
No - direct sow (spring) runs Mar 19 – Apr 7 in Maryland, so do it before April 7.
When is the first frost in Maryland?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 20 and the last spring frost around April 14. Maryland 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 Maryland in April?
From plantings made on time: radish, spinach, arugula, tatsoi, mizuna, mustard greens, mache (corn salad), lettuce.
What to plant in April in other states
Dates are computed from Maryland’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.