What to plant in April in Mississippi
In Mississippi (MS), April comes about 4 weeks after the average last frost (March 20). The state averages 230 frost-free days a year (last frost March 20, first frost November 5; USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a).
58 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including dill, sunflower, ground cherry, new zealand spinach, peanut, pumpkin - and 51 of those windows close during April.
Dates here come from Mississippi frost dates (last frost Mar 20, first frost Nov 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pumpkin, tomato or winter squash in Mississippi.
Mississippi: planting activity through the year
Last chance in April
Dill (direct sow (spring), by Apr 3) · Sunflower (direct sow (spring), by Apr 3) · Ground Cherry (transplant outdoors, by Apr 6) · New Zealand Spinach (transplant outdoors, by Apr 6) · Peanut (transplant outdoors, by Apr 6) · Pumpkin (transplant outdoors, by Apr 6) · Rosemary (transplant outdoors, by Apr 6) · Shiso (Perilla) (transplant outdoors, by Apr 6) · Summer Savory (transplant outdoors, by Apr 6) · Sunflower (transplant outdoors, by Apr 6) · Sweet Marjoram (transplant outdoors, by Apr 6) · Tomatillo (transplant outdoors, by Apr 6) · Tomato (transplant outdoors, by Apr 6) · Winter Squash (transplant outdoors, by Apr 6) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (transplant outdoors, by Apr 6) · Amaranth (Leaf) (direct sow (spring), by Apr 10) · Bush Bean (direct sow (spring), by Apr 10) · Edamame (Soybean) (direct sow (spring), by Apr 10) · New Zealand Spinach (direct sow (spring), by Apr 10) · Pole Bean (direct sow (spring), by Apr 10) · Pumpkin (direct sow (spring), by Apr 10) · Shiso (Perilla) (direct sow (spring), by Apr 10) · Summer Savory (direct sow (spring), by Apr 10) · Sweet Corn (direct sow (spring), by Apr 10) · Sweet Marjoram (direct sow (spring), by Apr 10) · Winter Squash (direct sow (spring), by Apr 10) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (direct sow (spring), by Apr 10) · Basil (transplant outdoors, by Apr 13) · Bell Pepper (transplant outdoors, by Apr 13) · Bitter Melon (transplant outdoors, by Apr 13) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (transplant outdoors, by Apr 13) · Chili Pepper (transplant outdoors, by Apr 13) · Cucamelon (transplant outdoors, by Apr 13) · Cucumber (transplant outdoors, by Apr 13) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (transplant outdoors, by Apr 13) · Malabar Spinach (transplant outdoors, by Apr 13) · Okra (transplant outdoors, by Apr 13) · Watermelon (transplant outdoors, by Apr 13) · Basil (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17) · Bitter Melon (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17) · Chayote (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17) · Cucamelon (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17) · Cucumber (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17) · Lima Bean (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17) · Malabar Spinach (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17) · Okra (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17) · Peanut (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17) · Southern Pea (Cowpea) (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17) · Watermelon (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17)
Sow or plant outdoors in April (55)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dill | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Sunflower | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Ground Cherry | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 6 | Last chance - ends Apr 6 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 6 | Last chance - ends Apr 6 |
| Peanut | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 6 | Last chance - ends Apr 6 |
| Pumpkin | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 6 | Last chance - ends Apr 6 |
| Rosemary | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 6 | Last chance - ends Apr 6 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 6 | Last chance - ends Apr 6 |
| Summer Savory | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 6 | Last chance - ends Apr 6 |
| Sunflower | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 6 | Last chance - ends Apr 6 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 6 | Last chance - ends Apr 6 |
| Tomatillo | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 6 | Last chance - ends Apr 6 |
| Tomato | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 6 | Last chance - ends Apr 6 |
| Winter Squash | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 6 | Last chance - ends Apr 6 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 6 | Last chance - ends Apr 6 |
| Amaranth (Leaf) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Edamame (Soybean) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Pole Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Summer Savory | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Basil | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 13 | Last chance - ends Apr 13 |
| Bell Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 13 | Last chance - ends Apr 13 |
| Bitter Melon | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 13 | Last chance - ends Apr 13 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 13 | Last chance - ends Apr 13 |
| Chili Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 13 | Last chance - ends Apr 13 |
| Cucamelon | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 13 | Last chance - ends Apr 13 |
| Cucumber | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 13 | Last chance - ends Apr 13 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 13 | Last chance - ends Apr 13 |
| Malabar Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 13 | Last chance - ends Apr 13 |
| Okra | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 13 | Last chance - ends Apr 13 |
| Watermelon | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 13 | Last chance - ends Apr 13 |
| Basil | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Bitter Melon | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Chayote | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Cucamelon | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Cucumber | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Lima Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Malabar Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Okra | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Peanut | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Watermelon | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Apr 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Apr 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Apr 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Apr 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Pea: sow again on Apr 2 and Apr 14
- Lettuce: sow again on Apr 11 and Apr 23
- Spinach: sow again on Apr 2 and Apr 14
- Carrot: sow again on Apr 4 and Apr 22
- Beet: sow again on Apr 15
- Radish: sow again on Apr 1 and Apr 11 and Apr 21
- Cilantro / Coriander: sow again on Apr 11
- Arugula: sow again on Apr 9 and Apr 21
- Turnip: sow again on Apr 10 and Apr 24
- Kohlrabi: sow again on Apr 10 and Apr 24
- Bok Choy / Pak Choi: sow again on Apr 3 and Apr 17
- Mustard Greens: sow again on Apr 10 and Apr 24
- Green Onion / Scallion: sow again on Apr 3 and Apr 24
- Fennel (Bulb): sow again on Apr 3 and Apr 24
- Endive & Escarole: sow again on Apr 3 and Apr 17
- Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on Apr 10 and Apr 24
- Rapini (Broccoli Raab): sow again on Apr 10 and Apr 24
- Tatsoi: sow again on Apr 9 and Apr 21
- Mizuna: sow again on Apr 9 and Apr 21
- Chervil: sow again on Apr 10 and Apr 24
- Watercress: sow again on Apr 17
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 Mississippi
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Mississippi: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Main planting month: April garden jobs in Mississippi
- With the average last frost on March 20, 37 crops can go in outdoors this month, including dill, sunflower, ground cherry, new zealand spinach.
- 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 Mississippi
Mississippi spans USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. 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 Mississippi in April?
58 crops have a window in April: dill, sunflower, ground cherry, new zealand spinach, peanut, pumpkin, rosemary, shiso (perilla), summer savory, sweet marjoram and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Mississippi in April?
No - transplant outdoors runs Mar 20 – Apr 6 in Mississippi, so do it before April 6.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Mississippi in April?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Mississippi the next lettuce window opens around August 31: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in Mississippi?
The statewide average first fall frost is around November 5 and the last spring frost around March 20. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Mississippi in April?
From plantings made on time: arugula, tatsoi, mizuna, mustard greens, mache (corn salad), lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil, pea.
What to plant in April in other states
Dates are computed from Mississippi’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.