What to plant in April in zone 3a
131 crops to start indoors, direct sow, transplant, or harvest in April in USDA hardiness zone 3a. Typical last spring frost around May 21, 2026, first fall frost around Sep 22, 2026 — exact dates vary by location within the zone.
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Start indoors
Sow these under lights or on a windowsill now for transplants later.
- African Daisy
- Ageratum
- Alternanthera
- Alyssum
- Amaranth
- Amaranth Microgreens
- Amaranthus
- Baby Blue Eyes
- Baby's Breath
- Bachelor's Button
- Balsam
- Basil
- Basil Microgreens
- Beach Sunflower
- Billy Buttons
- Black Cumin / Nigella
- Black-Eyed Susan
- Blanket Flower
- Blue Fescue
- Blue Flax
- Brachycome
- Burdock
- Calendula
- California Poppy
- Candytuft
- Cape Gooseberry
- Carrot
- Catchfly
- Celosia
- Celosia (Crested)
- Celosia (Plume)
- Chamomile
- Chiltepin Pepper
- Chinese Toon
- Chrysanthemum
- Chrysanthemum Greens
- Cleome
- Common Morning Glory
- Coreopsis
- Cosmos
- Dahlberg Daisy
- Dahlia
- Dandelion
- Delosperma
- Dianthus
- Dichondra
- Eggplant
- Epazote
- Ethiopian Eggplant
- Ethiopian Kale
- Feverfew
- Flowering Tobacco
- Four O Clock
- French Marigold
- Gaillardia
- Gazania
- Globe Gilia
- Gomphrena
- Grain Amaranth
- Ground Cherry
- Gypsophila
- Heliopsis
- Hibiscus
- Holy Basil
- Huauzontle
- Interspecific Dianthus
- Korean Mint
- Lace Fern
- Lemon Basil
- Lime Basil
- Linum
- Love-Lies-Bleeding
- Malabar Spinach
- Marigold
- Maximilian Sunflower
- Mexican Sunflower
- Mexican Zinnia
- Misome
- Moonflower
- Morning Glory
- Nicotiana
- Orach
- Orach Microgreens
- Ornamental Millet
- Pepper (Hot)
- Pepper (Tabasco)
- Perennial Sweet Pea
- Poppy
- Portulaca
- Ricinus
- Roselle
- Scabiosa
- Scarlet Flax
- Shiso
- Shiso Herb Microgreens
- Shiso Microgreens
- Signet Marigold
- Silver Ponysfoot
- Strawberry Spinach
- Strawflower
- Sulphur Cosmos
- Summer Savory
- Sweet Annie
- Thai Basil
- Thunbergia
- Tomatillo
- Tomato
- Water Pepper
- Wheat Celosia
- Winged Bean
- Yarrow
Direct sow outside
Sow these straight into the garden bed this month.
Transplant outdoors
Move these hardened-off seedlings into the garden.
Keep going
Timings use NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals for a representative location (ZIP 99602) in zone 3a, computed with the same engine as GardenDraft’s in-app schedule. Guidance, not guarantees — your exact dates depend on your address.