What to plant in April — zone 8b
Zone 8b averages its last spring frost around March 20 and its first fall frost around November 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
- Tomatoaround Apr 3
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 3
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 3
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Trellis vertically to double yield in the same footprint and cut mildew.
- Zucchiniaround Apr 3
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 3
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch tips weekly. Once flowers open, leaves lose flavor — snip them fast.
- Winter squasharound Apr 3
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 3
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch flower spikes the moment you see them — leaves stay sweet all season.
- Oreganoaround Apr 3
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Harvest just before flowering for the strongest flavor. Dries beautifully.
- Thymearound Apr 3
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 3
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 3
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 3
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 3
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 3
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
- Zucchiniaround Apr 3
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Basilaround Apr 3
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Sweet cornaround Apr 3
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Winter squasharound Apr 3
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Basilaround Apr 3
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Watermelonaround Apr 3
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Cantaloupe / Melonaround Apr 3
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Bush beanaround Apr 3
Warm soil — first summer sowing of bush bean.
- Cucumberaround Apr 3
Warm soil — first summer sowing of cucumber.
- Zucchiniaround Apr 3
Warm soil — first summer sowing of zucchini.
- Sweet cornaround Apr 3
Warm soil — first summer sowing of sweet corn.
- Basilaround Apr 3
Warm soil — first summer sowing of basil.
- Winter squasharound Apr 10
Warm soil — first summer sowing of winter squash.
- Beetaround Apr 17
Warm soil — first summer sowing of beet.
- Carrotaround Apr 17
Warm soil — first summer sowing of carrot.
Garden care
- Mulch every bedaround Apr 10
3-4 in of straw or leaves now holds water, blocks weeds, and cools roots for the whole summer.
- Set up deep wateringaround Apr 17
Switch to fewer, longer soaks (1-1.5 in/week at the root) instead of daily sprinkles.
Succession sow
- Bush beanaround Apr 17
Sowing 2: replant every 14 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Sweet cornaround Apr 17
Sowing 2: replant every 14 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Cucumberaround Apr 24
Sowing 2: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Zucchiniaround Apr 24
Sowing 2: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Basilaround Apr 24
Sowing 2: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
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