What to plant in April — zone 7a
Zone 7a averages its last spring frost around April 15 and its first fall frost around October 25. Everything below is timed from those two dates, so it stays useful whether you're planting for summer or for a fall harvest.
Transplant out
- Lettucearound Apr 1
Goes out 2 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Onionaround Apr 1
Goes out 2 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Strawberryaround Apr 1
Goes out 2 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Parsleyaround Apr 1
Goes out 2 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Mintaround Apr 1
Goes out 2 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Tomatoaround Apr 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Bury 2/3 of the transplant stem — roots form along the buried stem for a stronger plant.
- Pepperaround Apr 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch first flowers on transplants so the plant invests in roots before setting fruit.
- Cucumberaround Apr 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Trellis vertically to double yield in the same footprint and cut mildew.
- Zucchiniaround Apr 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. One plant feeds a family. Pick at 6-8 in for the sweetest fruit.
- Basilaround Apr 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch tips weekly. Once flowers open, leaves lose flavor — snip them fast.
- Winter squasharound Apr 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Cure 10 days in a warm dry spot after harvest — the skin toughens and storage doubles.
- Basilaround Apr 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch flower spikes the moment you see them — leaves stay sweet all season.
- Oreganoaround Apr 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Harvest just before flowering for the strongest flavor. Dries beautifully.
- Thymearound Apr 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Needs sharp drainage — plant in gravelly soil or a raised bed edge. Never wet feet.
- Rosemaryaround Apr 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. In zone 6 and below, grow in a pot and overwinter indoors near a south window.
- Sagearound Apr 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Prune hard in spring to prevent woody stems and keep the plant productive for 5+ years.
- Figaround Apr 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. In zone 6, grow in a pot and drag into a garage for winter. 'Chicago Hardy' takes zone 5 with mulch.
- Watermelonaround Apr 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Ripe = tendril nearest the fruit is brown and the ground spot has turned buttery yellow.
- Cantaloupe / Melonaround Apr 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Ripe fruit slips off the vine with a gentle tug — the smell alone tells you.
Direct sow
- Potatoaround Apr 1
Soil is ready -2 weeks before last frost.
- Cilantroaround Apr 1
Soil is ready -2 weeks before last frost.
- Parsleyaround Apr 1
Soil is ready -2 weeks before last frost.
- Dillaround Apr 15
Soil is ready 0 weeks after last frost.
- Bush beanaround Apr 22
Soil is ready 1 weeks after last frost.
- Cucumberaround Apr 22
Soil is ready 1 weeks after last frost.
- Zucchiniaround Apr 29
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Basilaround Apr 29
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Sweet cornaround Apr 29
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Winter squasharound Apr 29
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Basilaround Apr 29
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Watermelonaround Apr 29
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Cantaloupe / Melonaround Apr 29
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Bush beanaround Apr 29
Warm soil — first summer sowing of bush bean.
- Cucumberaround Apr 29
Warm soil — first summer sowing of cucumber.
- Zucchiniaround Apr 29
Warm soil — first summer sowing of zucchini.
- Sweet cornaround Apr 29
Warm soil — first summer sowing of sweet corn.
- Basilaround Apr 29
Warm soil — first summer sowing of basil.
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