What to plant in April — zone 3a
Zone 3a averages its last spring frost around May 30 and its first fall frost around September 10. Everything below is timed from those two dates, so it stays useful whether you're planting for summer or for a fall harvest.
Dormant care
- Check season-extension geararound Apr 4
Patch row cover, cold frames and hoops now so a late freeze can't catch you unprepared.
- Pre-sprout seed potatoesaround Apr 18
Chit potatoes in a bright, cool spot for 2 weeks — sprouted pieces jump ahead once planted.
Start indoors
- Parsleyaround Apr 4
8 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (05-30). Soak seeds 24 hrs before sowing. Cut outer stems and it comes back for years in mild zones.
- Chivesaround Apr 4
8 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (05-30). Divide the clump every 3 years — one plant becomes six with no effort.
- Tomatoaround Apr 18
6 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (05-30). Bury 2/3 of the transplant stem — roots form along the buried stem for a stronger plant.
- Kalearound Apr 18
6 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (05-30). Fall crop sweetens after first frost — plan a July sowing for the best flavor.
- Broccoliaround Apr 18
6 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (05-30). After cutting the main head, side shoots keep coming for weeks — don't pull the plant.
- Basilaround Apr 18
6 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (05-30). Pinch flower spikes the moment you see them — leaves stay sweet all season.
Transplant out
- Raspberryaround Apr 18
Goes out 6 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Blueberryaround Apr 18
Goes out 6 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Applearound Apr 18
Goes out 6 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Rhubarbaround Apr 18
Goes out 6 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
Garden care
- Wake the bedsaround Apr 25
Turn in compost, cut down cover crops, and let the soil warm two weeks before the first sowing.
Direct sow
- Peaaround Apr 25
Soil is ready -5 weeks before last frost.
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