What to Plant in April — Zone 4

April ends about 1 week before zone 4's average last frost (May 5) — prime seed-starting territory.

Start seeds indoors — Counted back from the last frost so transplants are ready on time.

🥬 Lettuce	Mar 24 – Apr 7	45–60 days to maturity
🥬 Kale	Mar 24 – Apr 7	55–65 days to maturity
🌈 Swiss Chard	Mar 31 – Apr 14	50–60 days to maturity
🍃 Collard Greens	Mar 24 – Apr 7	60–75 days to maturity
🥬 Brussels Sprouts	Mar 24 – Apr 7	90–110 days to maturity
🥒 Cucumbers	Apr 7 – Apr 14	50–70 days to maturity
🥒 Zucchini	Apr 7 – Apr 14	45–60 days to maturity
🎃 Winter Squash	Apr 7 – Apr 14	85–110 days to maturity
🎃 Pumpkins	Apr 7 – Apr 14	90–110 days to maturity
🍉 Watermelon	Apr 7 – Apr 14	75–95 days to maturity
🍈 Cantaloupe	Apr 7 – Apr 14	75–90 days to maturity
🌶️ Okra	Apr 7 – Apr 14	55–65 days to maturity
🌿 Basil	Mar 24 – Apr 7	30–60 days to maturity
🌸 Zinnias	Apr 7 – Apr 14	60–70 days to maturity
🏵️ Marigolds	Mar 24 – Apr 7	50–60 days to maturity

Transplant outdoors — Set out sturdy transplants during these windows.

🥬 Lettuce	Apr 7 – Apr 21	45–60 days to maturity
🥬 Kale	Apr 7 – Apr 21	55–65 days to maturity
🌈 Swiss Chard	Apr 21 – May 5	50–60 days to maturity
🍃 Collard Greens	Apr 7 – Apr 21	60–75 days to maturity
🥬 Cabbage	Apr 7 – Apr 21	65–85 days to maturity
🥦 Broccoli	Apr 14 – Apr 28	60–75 days to maturity
🥦 Cauliflower	Apr 21 – May 5	60–80 days to maturity
🧅 Onions	Mar 24 – Apr 7	90–110 days to maturity
🧅 Leeks	Apr 7 – Apr 21	100–120 days to maturity
🌿 Parsley	Apr 21 – May 5	70–90 days to maturity
🌱 Chives	Apr 21 – May 5	75–85 days to maturity

Direct sow — Seeds straight into garden soil.

🫛 Peas	Mar 24 – Apr 7	55–70 days to maturity
🥬 Lettuce	Apr 7 – May 5	45–60 days to maturity
🍃 Spinach	Mar 24 – Apr 7	40–50 days to maturity
🥬 Kale	Apr 7 – Apr 21	55–65 days to maturity
🌿 Arugula	Mar 31 – Apr 14	30–40 days to maturity
🌈 Swiss Chard	Apr 21 – May 5	50–60 days to maturity
🍃 Collard Greens	Apr 21 – May 5	60–75 days to maturity
🥬 Kohlrabi	Apr 7 – Apr 21	45–60 days to maturity
🥕 Carrots	Apr 14 – May 5	60–75 days to maturity
🫒 Beets	Apr 7 – Apr 21	50–65 days to maturity
🌶️ Radishes	Mar 31 – Apr 14	22–30 days to maturity
🥔 Turnips	Apr 7 – Apr 21	40–55 days to maturity
🥕 Parsnips	Apr 14 – May 5	100–120 days to maturity
🧅 Onions	Apr 7 – Apr 21	90–110 days to maturity
🧅 Scallions	Apr 7 – Apr 21	60–70 days to maturity
🥔 Potatoes	Apr 7 – Apr 21	70–100 days to maturity
🥬 Bok Choy	Apr 14 – Apr 28	45–55 days to maturity
🌿 Mustard Greens	Apr 7 – Apr 21	35–45 days to maturity
🌿 Cilantro	Apr 14 – Apr 28	45–55 days to maturity
🌿 Parsley	Apr 21 – May 5	70–90 days to maturity
🌾 Dill	Apr 21 – May 5	40–55 days to maturity
🌱 Chives	Apr 21 – May 5	75–85 days to maturity

Windows use zone 4's typical frost dates (May 5 / Oct 1). For your own city's dates, run the frost lookup — the planting calendar then localizes everything automatically.

Frequently asked questions

What can I plant outside in April in zone 4?

26 crops can go in the ground: lettuce, kale, swiss chard, collard greens, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, and 18 more. Exact windows are in the tables above — early and late in the month can differ by a full frost date.

What seeds should I start indoors in April in zone 4?

Lettuce, kale, swiss chard, collard greens, brussels sprouts, cucumbers, zucchini, winter squash, and 7 more — each is counted back from zone 4's average last frost around May 5, so transplants are ready exactly when the garden is.

Is April the right time for tomatoes in zone 4?

Not yet — zone 4 tomatoes start indoors roughly 8–6 weeks before the May 5 last frost and transplant just after it.