What to plant in April in zone 4a
76 crops to start indoors, direct sow, or transplant in April in USDA hardiness zone 4a. Typical last spring frost around May 12, 2026, first fall frost around Oct 3, 2026 — exact dates vary by location within the zone.
Zone 4a covers a lot of ground. Enter your ZIP for April dates from your nearest weather station and a month-by-month calendar:
Start indoors
Sow these under lights or on a windowsill now for transplants later.
- Amaranth
- Amaranthus
- Basil
- Black Cumin / Nigella
- Burdock
- Cape Gooseberry
- Chamomile
- Chinese Toon
- Epazote
- Feverfew
- Grain Amaranth
- Ground Cherry
- Holy Basil
- Huauzontle
- Korean Mint
- Lemon Basil
- Lime Basil
- Malabar Spinach
- Misome
- Nasturtium
- Orach
- Roselle
- Shiso
- Strawberry Spinach
- Summer Savory
- Sweet Annie
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Tomato
- Water Pepper
- Wild Arugula
- Winged Bean
Direct sow outside
Sow these straight into the garden bed this month.
Transplant outdoors
Move these hardened-off seedlings into the garden.
Plant out
Set out these crops (sets, tubers, or starts) now.
Keep going
Timings use NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals for a representative location (Stanton, ND) in zone 4a, computed with the same engine as GardenDraft’s in-app schedule. Guidance, not guarantees — your exact dates depend on your address.