What to plant in April in South Carolina
In South Carolina (SC), April comes about 3 weeks after the average last frost (March 25). The state averages 225 frost-free days a year (last frost March 25, first frost November 5; USDA zones 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a).
66 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including fennel (bulb), lemon balm, parsnip, swiss chard, celeriac, celery - and 36 of those windows close during April.
Dates here come from South Carolina frost dates (last frost Mar 25, first frost Nov 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant swiss chard, pumpkin or tomato in South Carolina.
South Carolina: planting activity through the year
Last chance in April
Fennel (Bulb) (direct sow (spring), by Apr 1) · Lemon Balm (direct sow (spring), by Apr 1) · Parsnip (direct sow (spring), by Apr 1) · Swiss Chard (direct sow (spring), by Apr 1) · Celeriac (transplant outdoors, by Apr 4) · Celery (transplant outdoors, by Apr 4) · Oregano (transplant outdoors, by Apr 4) · Sage (transplant outdoors, by Apr 4) · Thyme (transplant outdoors, by Apr 4) · Dill (direct sow (spring), by Apr 8) · Sunflower (direct sow (spring), by Apr 8) · Ground Cherry (transplant outdoors, by Apr 11) · New Zealand Spinach (transplant outdoors, by Apr 11) · Peanut (transplant outdoors, by Apr 11) · Pumpkin (transplant outdoors, by Apr 11) · Rosemary (transplant outdoors, by Apr 11) · Shiso (Perilla) (transplant outdoors, by Apr 11) · Summer Savory (transplant outdoors, by Apr 11) · Sunflower (transplant outdoors, by Apr 11) · Sweet Marjoram (transplant outdoors, by Apr 11) · Tomatillo (transplant outdoors, by Apr 11) · Tomato (transplant outdoors, by Apr 11) · Winter Squash (transplant outdoors, by Apr 11) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (transplant outdoors, by Apr 11) · Amaranth (Leaf) (direct sow (spring), by Apr 15) · Bush Bean (direct sow (spring), by Apr 15) · Edamame (Soybean) (direct sow (spring), by Apr 15) · New Zealand Spinach (direct sow (spring), by Apr 15) · Pole Bean (direct sow (spring), by Apr 15) · Pumpkin (direct sow (spring), by Apr 15) · Shiso (Perilla) (direct sow (spring), by Apr 15) · Summer Savory (direct sow (spring), by Apr 15) · Sweet Corn (direct sow (spring), by Apr 15) · Sweet Marjoram (direct sow (spring), by Apr 15) · Winter Squash (direct sow (spring), by Apr 15) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (direct sow (spring), by Apr 15)
Sow or plant outdoors in April (64)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fennel (Bulb) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Lemon Balm | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Parsnip | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Swiss Chard | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Celeriac | Transplant outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 4 | Last chance - ends Apr 4 |
| Celery | Transplant outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 4 | Last chance - ends Apr 4 |
| Oregano | Transplant outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 4 | Last chance - ends Apr 4 |
| Sage | Transplant outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 4 | Last chance - ends Apr 4 |
| Thyme | Transplant outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 4 | Last chance - ends Apr 4 |
| Dill | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 8 | Last chance - ends Apr 8 |
| Sunflower | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 8 | Last chance - ends Apr 8 |
| Ground Cherry | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Last chance - ends Apr 11 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Last chance - ends Apr 11 |
| Peanut | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Last chance - ends Apr 11 |
| Pumpkin | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Last chance - ends Apr 11 |
| Rosemary | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Last chance - ends Apr 11 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Last chance - ends Apr 11 |
| Summer Savory | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Last chance - ends Apr 11 |
| Sunflower | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Last chance - ends Apr 11 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Last chance - ends Apr 11 |
| Tomatillo | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Last chance - ends Apr 11 |
| Tomato | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Last chance - ends Apr 11 |
| Winter Squash | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Last chance - ends Apr 11 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 11 | Last chance - ends Apr 11 |
| Amaranth (Leaf) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
| Edamame (Soybean) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
| Pole Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
| Summer Savory | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
| Basil | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – Apr 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Bell Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – Apr 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Bitter Melon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – Apr 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – Apr 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Chili Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – Apr 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Cucamelon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – Apr 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Cucumber | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – Apr 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – Apr 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Malabar Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – Apr 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Okra | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – Apr 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Watermelon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – Apr 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Basil | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 22 | Apr 3 – Apr 22 |
| Bitter Melon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 22 | Apr 3 – Apr 22 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 22 | Apr 3 – Apr 22 |
| Chayote | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 22 | Apr 3 – Apr 22 |
| Cucamelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 22 | Apr 3 – Apr 22 |
| Cucumber | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 22 | Apr 3 – Apr 22 |
| Lima Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 22 | Apr 3 – Apr 22 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 22 | Apr 3 – Apr 22 |
| Malabar Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 22 | Apr 3 – Apr 22 |
| Okra | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 22 | Apr 3 – Apr 22 |
| Peanut | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 22 | Apr 3 – Apr 22 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 22 | Apr 3 – Apr 22 |
| Watermelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 22 | Apr 3 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – Apr 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 25 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – Apr 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 25 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – Apr 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 25 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – Apr 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 25 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Pea: sow again on Apr 7 and Apr 19
- Lettuce: sow again on Apr 4 and Apr 16 and Apr 28
- Spinach: sow again on Apr 7 and Apr 19
- Carrot: sow again on Apr 9 and Apr 27
- Beet: sow again on Apr 2 and Apr 20
- Radish: sow again on Apr 6 and Apr 16 and Apr 26
- Cilantro / Coriander: sow again on Apr 16
- Arugula: sow again on Apr 2 and Apr 14 and Apr 26
- Turnip: sow again on Apr 1 and Apr 15 and Apr 29
- Kohlrabi: sow again on Apr 1 and Apr 15 and Apr 29
- Bok Choy / Pak Choi: sow again on Apr 8 and Apr 22
- Mustard Greens: sow again on Apr 1 and Apr 15 and Apr 29
- Green Onion / Scallion: sow again on Apr 8 and Apr 29
- Endive & Escarole: sow again on Apr 8 and Apr 22
- Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on Apr 1 and Apr 15 and Apr 29
- Rapini (Broccoli Raab): sow again on Apr 1 and Apr 15 and Apr 29
- Tatsoi: sow again on Apr 2 and Apr 14 and Apr 26
- Mizuna: sow again on Apr 2 and Apr 14 and Apr 26
- Chervil: sow again on Apr 1 and Apr 15 and Apr 29
- Watercress: sow again on Apr 1 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 South Carolina
Every crop has its own full-year dates for South Carolina: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Main planting month: April garden jobs in South Carolina
- With the average last frost on March 25, 46 crops can go in outdoors this month, including fennel (bulb), lemon balm, parsnip, swiss chard.
- 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 South Carolina
South Carolina spans USDA zones 7a, 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 South Carolina in April?
66 crops have a window in April: fennel (bulb), lemon balm, parsnip, swiss chard, celeriac, celery, oregano, sage, thyme, dill and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in South Carolina in April?
No - transplant outdoors runs Mar 25 – Apr 11 in South Carolina, so do it before April 11.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in South Carolina in April?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In South Carolina the next lettuce window opens around August 31: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in South Carolina?
The statewide average first fall frost is around November 5 and the last spring frost around March 25. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in South Carolina in April?
From plantings made on time: spinach, arugula, tatsoi, mizuna, mustard greens, mache (corn salad), lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil.
What to plant in April in other states
Dates are computed from South Carolina’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.