What to plant in April in Montana
In Montana (MT), April sits about 4 weeks before the average last frost (May 15). The state averages 123 frost-free days a year (last frost May 15, first frost September 15; USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a).
65 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion, arugula, beet - and 11 of those windows close during April.
Dates here come from Montana frost dates (last frost May 15, first frost Sep 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pea, spinach or arugula in Montana.
Montana 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.
Montana: planting activity through the year
Last chance in April
Ground Cherry (start seeds indoors, by Apr 3) · Lemon Balm (start seeds indoors, by Apr 3) · Shiso (Perilla) (start seeds indoors, by Apr 3) · Sweet Marjoram (start seeds indoors, by Apr 3) · Tomatillo (start seeds indoors, by Apr 3) · Tomato (start seeds indoors, by Apr 3) · Broccoli (start seeds indoors, by Apr 10) · Brussels Sprouts (start seeds indoors, by Apr 10) · Cabbage (start seeds indoors, by Apr 10) · Cauliflower (start seeds indoors, by Apr 10) · Kale (start seeds indoors, by Apr 10)
Sow or plant outdoors in April (56)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mache (Corn Salad) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 24 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| Pea | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 24 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 24 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Apr 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Arugula | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Opens Apr 12 |
| Beet | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Opens Apr 12 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Opens Apr 12 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Opens Apr 12 |
| Mizuna | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Opens Apr 12 |
| Onion | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Opens Apr 12 |
| Radish | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Opens Apr 12 |
| Shallot | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Opens Apr 12 |
| Tatsoi | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Opens Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Opens Apr 17 |
| Collard Greens | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Opens Apr 17 |
| Horseradish | Plant crowns / divisions | Apr 17 – May 4 | Opens Apr 17 |
| Kale | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Opens Apr 17 |
| Kohlrabi | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Opens Apr 17 |
| Onion | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Opens Apr 17 |
| Rhubarb | Plant crowns / divisions | Apr 17 – May 4 | Opens Apr 17 |
| Shallot | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Opens Apr 17 |
| Carrot | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Opens Apr 19 |
| Chervil | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Opens Apr 19 |
| Endive & Escarole | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Opens Apr 19 |
| Kohlrabi | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Opens Apr 19 |
| Lettuce | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Opens Apr 19 |
| Mustard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Opens Apr 19 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Opens Apr 19 |
| Turnip | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Opens Apr 19 |
| Watercress | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Opens Apr 19 |
| Asparagus | Plant crowns / divisions | Apr 24 – May 11 | Opens Apr 24 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Opens Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Opens Apr 24 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Opens Apr 24 |
| Cauliflower | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Opens Apr 24 |
| Chives | Plant crowns / divisions | Apr 24 – May 11 | Opens Apr 24 |
| Endive & Escarole | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Opens Apr 24 |
| Leek | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Opens Apr 24 |
| Lettuce | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Opens Apr 24 |
| Napa Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Opens Apr 24 |
| Parsley | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Opens Apr 24 |
| Radicchio | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Opens Apr 24 |
| Sorrel | Plant crowns / divisions | Apr 24 – May 11 | Opens Apr 24 |
| Swiss Chard | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Opens Apr 24 |
| Watercress | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Opens Apr 24 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Opens Apr 26 |
| Borage | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Opens Apr 26 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Opens Apr 26 |
| Collard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Opens Apr 26 |
| Kale | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Opens Apr 26 |
| Leek | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Opens Apr 26 |
| Napa Cabbage | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Opens Apr 26 |
| Parsley | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Opens Apr 26 |
| Potato | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Opens Apr 26 |
| Radicchio | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Opens Apr 26 |
| Salsify | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Opens Apr 26 |
Start seeds indoors in April (37)
Indoor sowings for transplants later. Six to eight weeks under lights is typical for tomatoes and peppers; onions and leeks need longer.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Lemon Balm | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Tomatillo | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Collard Greens | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Endive & Escarole | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Kohlrabi | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Malabar Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Okra | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Radicchio | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Summer Savory | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Bitter Melon | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Cucamelon | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Lettuce | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Napa Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Peanut | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Swiss Chard | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Watercress | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 1 | Opens Apr 17 |
| Cucumber | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 1 | Opens Apr 17 |
| Pumpkin | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 1 | Opens Apr 17 |
| Sunflower | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 1 | Opens Apr 17 |
| Watermelon | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 1 | Opens Apr 17 |
| Winter Squash | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 1 | Opens Apr 17 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 1 | Opens Apr 17 |
Planting dates for popular crops in Montana
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Montana: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Seed-starting season: April garden jobs in Montana
- Start 37 crops indoors this month, including ground cherry, lemon balm, shiso (perilla), sweet marjoram. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
- 4 weeks until the average last frost (May 15). The seed-starting calculator works out each crop's exact sowing date from it.
- Keep seedlings from stretching: lights 2-3 inches above the leaves for 14-16 hours a day, and a fan or a daily brush of the hand across the tops.
- Prepare beds as soon as the soil crumbles instead of smearing when squeezed - working wet soil ruins its structure for the season.
USDA zone chart for Montana
Montana spans USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a. 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 Montana in April?
65 crops have a window in April: mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion, arugula, beet, fava bean (broad bean), mizuna, onion, radish and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Montana in April?
No - start seeds indoors runs Mar 20 – Apr 3 in Montana, so do it before April 3.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Montana in April?
No - start seeds indoors runs Apr 10 – Apr 24 in Montana, so do it before April 24.
When is the first frost in Montana?
The statewide average first fall frost is around September 15 and the last spring frost around May 15. Montana covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.
What should I start indoors in April in Montana?
Ground Cherry (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Lemon Balm (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Shiso (Perilla) (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Sweet Marjoram (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Tomatillo (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Tomato (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Broccoli (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Brussels Sprouts (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Cabbage (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Cauliflower (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Kale (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Basil (Apr 3 – Apr 17), Collard Greens (Apr 3 – Apr 17), Endive & Escarole (Apr 3 – Apr 17), Kohlrabi (Apr 3 – Apr 17), Malabar Spinach (Apr 3 – Apr 17), Okra (Apr 3 – Apr 17), Radicchio (Apr 3 – Apr 17), Summer Savory (Apr 3 – Apr 17), Bitter Melon (Apr 10 – Apr 24), Bok Choy / Pak Choi (Apr 10 – Apr 24), Cucamelon (Apr 10 – Apr 24), Fennel (Bulb) (Apr 10 – Apr 24), Lettuce (Apr 10 – Apr 24), Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (Apr 10 – Apr 24), Napa Cabbage (Apr 10 – Apr 24), New Zealand Spinach (Apr 10 – Apr 24), Peanut (Apr 10 – Apr 24), Swiss Chard (Apr 10 – Apr 24), Watercress (Apr 10 – Apr 24), Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (Apr 17 – May 1), Cucumber (Apr 17 – May 1), Pumpkin (Apr 17 – May 1), Sunflower (Apr 17 – May 1), Watermelon (Apr 17 – May 1), Winter Squash (Apr 17 – May 1), Zucchini / Summer Squash (Apr 17 – May 1).
What to plant in April in other states
Dates are computed from Montana’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.