What to plant in April in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania (PA), April sits about 2 weeks before the average last frost (May 1). The state averages 162 frost-free days a year (last frost May 1, first frost October 10; USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b).
70 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion, arugula, beet - and 32 of those windows close during April.
Dates here come from Pennsylvania frost dates (last frost May 1, first frost Oct 10). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pea, spinach or arugula in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania: planting activity through the year
Last chance in April
Basil (start seeds indoors, by Apr 3) · Collard Greens (start seeds indoors, by Apr 3) · Endive & Escarole (start seeds indoors, by Apr 3) · Kohlrabi (start seeds indoors, by Apr 3) · Malabar Spinach (start seeds indoors, by Apr 3) · Okra (start seeds indoors, by Apr 3) · Radicchio (start seeds indoors, by Apr 3) · Summer Savory (start seeds indoors, by Apr 3) · Bitter Melon (start seeds indoors, by Apr 10) · Bok Choy / Pak Choi (start seeds indoors, by Apr 10) · Cucamelon (start seeds indoors, by Apr 10) · Fennel (Bulb) (start seeds indoors, by Apr 10) · Lettuce (start seeds indoors, by Apr 10) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (start seeds indoors, by Apr 10) · Napa Cabbage (start seeds indoors, by Apr 10) · New Zealand Spinach (start seeds indoors, by Apr 10) · Peanut (start seeds indoors, by Apr 10) · Swiss Chard (start seeds indoors, by Apr 10) · Watercress (start seeds indoors, by Apr 10) · Mache (Corn Salad) (direct sow (spring), by Apr 10) · Pea (direct sow (spring), by Apr 10) · Spinach (direct sow (spring), by Apr 10) · Green Onion / Scallion (transplant outdoors, by Apr 13) · Arugula (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17) · Beet (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17) · Fava Bean (Broad Bean) (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17) · Green Onion / Scallion (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17) · Mizuna (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17) · Onion (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17) · Radish (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17) · Shallot (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17) · Tatsoi (direct sow (spring), by Apr 17)
Sow or plant outdoors in April (72)
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) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Pea | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 13 | Last chance - ends Apr 13 |
| Arugula | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Beet | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Mizuna | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Onion | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Radish | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Shallot | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Tatsoi | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 17 | Last chance - ends Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Apr 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
| Collard Greens | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Apr 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
| Horseradish | Plant crowns / divisions | Apr 3 – Apr 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Apr 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
| Kohlrabi | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Apr 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
| Onion | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Apr 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
| Rhubarb | Plant crowns / divisions | Apr 3 – Apr 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
| Shallot | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Apr 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
| Carrot | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 24 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| Chervil | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 24 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| Endive & Escarole | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 24 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| Kohlrabi | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 24 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| Lettuce | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 24 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| Mustard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 24 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 24 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| Turnip | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 24 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| Watercress | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 24 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| Asparagus | Plant crowns / divisions | Apr 10 – Apr 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Apr 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Apr 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Apr 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Cauliflower | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Apr 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Chives | Plant crowns / divisions | Apr 10 – Apr 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Endive & Escarole | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Apr 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Leek | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Apr 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Lettuce | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Apr 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Napa Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Apr 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Parsley | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Apr 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Radicchio | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Apr 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Sorrel | Plant crowns / divisions | Apr 10 – Apr 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Swiss Chard | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Apr 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Watercress | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Apr 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Opens Apr 12 |
| Borage | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Opens Apr 12 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Opens Apr 12 |
| Collard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Opens Apr 12 |
| Kale | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Opens Apr 12 |
| Leek | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Opens Apr 12 |
| Napa Cabbage | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Opens Apr 12 |
| Parsley | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Opens Apr 12 |
| Potato | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Opens Apr 12 |
| Radicchio | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Opens Apr 12 |
| Salsify | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 12 – May 1 | Opens Apr 12 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Opens Apr 17 |
| Globe Artichoke | Plant crowns / divisions | Apr 17 – May 4 | Opens Apr 17 |
| Lemon Balm | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Opens Apr 17 |
| Mint | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Opens Apr 17 |
| Tarragon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 4 | Opens Apr 17 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Opens Apr 19 |
| Lemon Balm | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Opens Apr 19 |
| Parsnip | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Opens Apr 19 |
| Swiss Chard | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 19 – May 8 | Opens Apr 19 |
| Celeriac | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Opens Apr 24 |
| Celery | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Opens Apr 24 |
| Oregano | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Opens Apr 24 |
| Sage | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Opens Apr 24 |
| Thyme | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 11 | Opens Apr 24 |
| Dill | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Opens Apr 26 |
| Sunflower | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 26 – May 15 | Opens Apr 26 |
Start seeds indoors in April (26)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Collard Greens | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Endive & Escarole | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Kohlrabi | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Malabar Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Okra | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Radicchio | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Summer Savory | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Last chance - ends Apr 3 |
| Bitter Melon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Cucamelon | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Lettuce | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Napa Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Peanut | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Swiss Chard | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Watercress | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Last chance - ends Apr 10 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Cucumber | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Pumpkin | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Sunflower | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Watermelon | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Winter Squash | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – 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 Pennsylvania
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Pennsylvania: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Last-frost month: April garden jobs in Pennsylvania
- The average last frost is May 1. Hardy crops can go out now - mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion - but hold tender ones like tomatoes, peppers and squash until after that date.
- Start hardening off indoor seedlings 7-10 days before they go out: a few hours of outdoor shade first, building up to full sun and nights outside.
- Keep row cover or old sheets handy and watch the 10-day forecast - a clear, still night after a warm spell is the classic late-frost setup.
- Soil temperature matters as much as the calendar: most warm-season seed rots below about 60°F. Check the frost dates guide for how the Pennsylvania average is worked out.
USDA zone chart for Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania spans USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. 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 Pennsylvania in April?
70 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 Pennsylvania in April?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Pennsylvania the next tomato window opens around May 1: transplant outdoors.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Pennsylvania in April?
No - start seeds indoors runs Mar 27 – Apr 10 in Pennsylvania, so do it before April 10.
When is the first frost in Pennsylvania?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 10 and the last spring frost around May 1. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
Basil (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Collard Greens (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Endive & Escarole (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Kohlrabi (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Malabar Spinach (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Okra (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Radicchio (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Summer Savory (Mar 20 – Apr 3), Bitter Melon (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Bok Choy / Pak Choi (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Cucamelon (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Fennel (Bulb) (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Lettuce (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Napa Cabbage (Mar 27 – Apr 10), New Zealand Spinach (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Peanut (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Swiss Chard (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Watercress (Mar 27 – Apr 10), Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (Apr 3 – Apr 17), Cucumber (Apr 3 – Apr 17), Pumpkin (Apr 3 – Apr 17), Sunflower (Apr 3 – Apr 17), Watermelon (Apr 3 – Apr 17), Winter Squash (Apr 3 – Apr 17), Zucchini / Summer Squash (Apr 3 – Apr 17).
What to plant in April in other states
Dates are computed from Pennsylvania’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.