What to plant in April in zone 7
USDA zone 7 has winter lows of 0 to 10°F, a typical last spring frost around Apr 5 and first fall frost around Oct 25, roughly 200 frost-free days. April is the "main planting month" there.
84 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including asparagus, bok choy / pak choi, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, chives - and 42 of those windows close during April.
Dates come from the typical frost dates of USDA zone 7 (last frost Apr 5, first frost Oct 25). A zone covers many climates, so for dates tuned to your town use the planting calendar, or pick your state below.
Zone 7: planting activity through the year
Last chance in April
Asparagus (plant crowns / divisions, by Apr 1) · Bok Choy / Pak Choi (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Broccoli (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Brussels Sprouts (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Cauliflower (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Chives (plant crowns / divisions, by Apr 1) · Endive & Escarole (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Leek (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Lettuce (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Napa Cabbage (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Parsley (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Radicchio (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Sorrel (plant crowns / divisions, by Apr 1) · Swiss Chard (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Watercress (transplant outdoors, by Apr 1) · Bok Choy / Pak Choi (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Borage (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Cilantro / Coriander (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Collard Greens (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Kale (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Leek (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Napa Cabbage (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Parsley (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Potato (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Radicchio (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Salsify (direct sow (spring), by Apr 5) · Fennel (Bulb) (transplant outdoors, by Apr 8) · Globe Artichoke (plant crowns / divisions, by Apr 8) · Lemon Balm (transplant outdoors, by Apr 8) · Mint (transplant outdoors, by Apr 8) · Tarragon (transplant outdoors, by Apr 8) · Fennel (Bulb) (direct sow (spring), by Apr 12) · Lemon Balm (direct sow (spring), by Apr 12) · Parsnip (direct sow (spring), by Apr 12) · Swiss Chard (direct sow (spring), by Apr 12) · Celeriac (transplant outdoors, by Apr 15) · Celery (transplant outdoors, by Apr 15) · Oregano (transplant outdoors, by Apr 15) · Sage (transplant outdoors, by Apr 15) · Thyme (transplant outdoors, by Apr 15) · Dill (direct sow (spring), by Apr 19) · Sunflower (direct sow (spring), by Apr 19)
Sow or plant outdoors in April (95)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asparagus | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Cauliflower | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Chives | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Endive & Escarole | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Leek | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Lettuce | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Napa Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Parsley | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Radicchio | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Sorrel | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Swiss Chard | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Watercress | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Last chance - ends Apr 1 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Borage | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Collard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Kale | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Leek | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Napa Cabbage | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Parsley | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Potato | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Radicchio | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Salsify | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Last chance - ends Apr 5 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Last chance - ends Apr 8 |
| Globe Artichoke | Plant crowns / divisions | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Last chance - ends Apr 8 |
| Lemon Balm | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Last chance - ends Apr 8 |
| Mint | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Last chance - ends Apr 8 |
| Tarragon | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Last chance - ends Apr 8 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Last chance - ends Apr 12 |
| Lemon Balm | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Last chance - ends Apr 12 |
| Parsnip | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Last chance - ends Apr 12 |
| Swiss Chard | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Last chance - ends Apr 12 |
| Celeriac | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
| Celery | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
| Oregano | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
| Sage | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
| Thyme | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 15 | Last chance - ends Apr 15 |
| Dill | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 19 | Last chance - ends Apr 19 |
| Sunflower | Direct sow (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 19 | Last chance - ends Apr 19 |
| Ground Cherry | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| Peanut | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| Pumpkin | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| Rosemary | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| Summer Savory | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| Sunflower | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| Tomatillo | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| Tomato | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| Winter Squash | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| Amaranth (Leaf) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 26 | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 26 | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| Edamame (Soybean) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 26 | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 26 | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| Pole Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 26 | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 26 | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 26 | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| Summer Savory | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 26 | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 26 | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 26 | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 26 | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 26 | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| Basil | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Bell Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Bitter Melon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Chili Pepper | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Cucamelon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Cucumber | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Malabar Spinach | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Okra | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Watermelon | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Basil | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Bitter Melon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Chayote | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Cucamelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Cucumber | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Lima Bean | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Malabar Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Okra | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Peanut | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Watermelon | Direct sow (spring) | Apr 14 – May 3 | Opens Apr 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 6 | Opens Apr 19 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 6 | Opens Apr 19 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 6 | Opens Apr 19 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 6 | Opens Apr 19 |
Harvesting in April
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
Main planting month: April garden jobs in zone 7
- With the average last frost on April 5, 69 crops can go in outdoors this month, including asparagus, bok choy / pak choi, broccoli, brussels sprouts.
- 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).
Questions gardeners ask
What can I plant in zone 7 in April?
84 crops have a window in April: asparagus, bok choy / pak choi, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, chives, endive & escarole, leek, lettuce, napa cabbage and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
When are the last and first frost in zone 7?
The typical last spring frost is around Apr 5 and the first fall frost around Oct 25. These are broad zone averages, so your own town can be a week or two either side: look yours up by ZIP code in the planting calendar.
What can I harvest in zone 7 in April?
From plantings made on time: radish, spinach, arugula, tatsoi, mizuna, mustard greens, mache (corn salad), lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab).
April in states with land in zone 7
Zone 7 in other months
What to plant in April in other zones
Dates are computed from the zone’s typical frost dates and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side.