5 Vegetables to Plant in April for a Summer Bounty

Spring is here, and April is the perfect month to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, planting vegetables in April sets the stage for a vibrant summer harvest. The key is knowing what to plant, when to plant it, and how to give your crops the best shot at success.

This month offers a sweet spot for both cold-hardy veggies that thrive in lingering cool weather and warm-season crops that need a head start indoors. Let’s dive into five must-grow vegetables for April, complete with simple, down-to-earth tips to help you grow them like a pro.

1. Tomatoes: Start Indoors for Juicy Summer Flavor

Tomatoes are the crown jewels of the summer garden. Nothing beats the sweet, sun-warmed taste of a homegrown tomato. But here’s the catch: tomatoes hate the cold. If you’re in a region where frost is still a threat in April (most of us!), now’s the time to start seeds indoors.

Why, April?
Tomato seeds need 6–8 weeks of indoor growth before they’re tough enough for the outdoors. Planting seeds in April means your seedlings will be ready to transplant after your last frost date. Even if you’re in a warmer zone (7+), starting seeds indoors ensures stronger plants compared to direct sowing.

How to Grow:

Use small pots or seed trays filled with a light, fluffy seed-starting mix (garden soil is too heavy).
Plant seeds ¼ inch deep and keep the soil warm (70°F+). A sunny windowsill works, but a heat mat speeds things up.
Once seedlings sprout, give them 12–16 hours of light daily. A grow light prevents leggy, weak stems.
When seedlings have 2–3 sets of leaves, transplant them into larger pots. Harden them off outdoors for 7–10 days before planting in the garden.

Pro Tip:
Tomatoes are heavy feeders. Mix compost or aged manure into your garden bed a week before transplanting. For container growers, try ‘Tumbling Tom’ varieties—they’re compact and thrive in hanging baskets.

Best Varieties for April:

‘Sun Gold’ Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet, orange, and prolific. Perfect for snacking.
‘Brandywine’ Heirloom: A beefsteak tomato with rich, old-school flavor.

2. Carrots: Sow Directly for Crunchy, Sweet Roots

Carrots are a cool-weather champ, but they’re picky about soil. April’s mild temperatures make it ideal for sowing seeds directly into the garden. The trick? Patience. Carrots take their time, but the reward is worth it.

Why April?
Carrot seeds germinate best in soil between 45°F–85°F. In colder zones (3–5), wait until mid-April when the ground thaws. In warmer areas (6+), plant early in the month to avoid summer heat, which can make roots bitter.

How to Grow:

Choose a sunny spot with loose, stone-free soil. If your soil is heavy clay, grow carrots in raised beds or containers filled with sandy potting mix.
Sow seeds ¼ inch deep and 1–2 inches apart. Mixing seeds with sand helps prevent overcrowding.
Keep the soil moist (not soggy) until seeds sprout—this can take up to 3 weeks. Thin seedlings to 3 inches apart once they’re 2 inches tall.

Pro Tip:
Carrot flies are a common pest. Plant onions or garlic nearby to repel them, or cover seedlings with lightweight row covers.

Best Varieties for April:

‘Nantes’: Classic, sweet, and cylindrical. Great for heavy soils.
‘Rainbow Blend’: A mix of purple, yellow, and red carrots for a colorful harvest.

3. Bush Beans: Quick-Growing and Foolproof

Bush beans are the unsung heroes of the veggie garden. They don’t need trellises, they grow fast, and they’re prolific producers. April is the month to get them in the ground—either indoors or out, depending on your climate.

Why April?
Beans love warmth. If your soil is above 60°F (check with a thermometer!), sow seeds directly outdoors. In cooler zones (3–5), start seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before your last frost.

How to Grow:

For direct sowing: Plant seeds 1 inch deep and 3 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart. Water well.
For indoor starts: Use biodegradable pots to avoid disturbing roots during transplanting.
Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, so skip high-nitrogen fertilizers. Too much feeding = leafy plants, fewer beans.

Pro Tip:
For a non-stop harvest, sow a new batch of seeds every 2 weeks until mid-summer.

Best Varieties for April:

‘Provider’: Disease-resistant and reliable, even in cooler soils.
‘Royal Burgundy’: Purple pods that turn green when cooked—fun for kids!

4. Beets: Double the Harvest from One Plant

Beets are a two-for-one deal: you get earthy-sweet roots and tender greens. They’re cold-tolerant but thrive in April’s lengthening days.

Why April?
Beet seeds germinate in soil as cool as 45°F. In zones 3–6, plant them as soon as the ground can be worked. In warmer zones (7–10), opt for a quick-maturing variety to beat the heat.

How to Grow:

Soak seeds in water for 24 hours before planting to speed up germination.
Sow seeds ½ inch deep and 1 inch apart. Thin seedlings to 3–4 inches apart once they’re 2 inches tall (use the thinnings in salads!).
Keep soil consistently moist for tender roots. Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Pro Tip:
Beet greens are packed with nutrients. Harvest a few leaves from each plant while waiting for roots to swell.

Best Varieties for April:

‘Detroit Dark Red’: A heirloom favorite with deep red roots and sweet flavor.
‘Golden’: Mild, non-staining roots that won’t “bleed” like red beets.

5. Peas: Plant Early for a Sweet, Cool-Weather Crop

Peas are the first taste of spring. They love cool weather, and planting them in April ensures a harvest before summer heat shuts them down.

Why April?
Peas can handle light frosts but struggle in temperatures above 70°F. In colder zones (3–5), plant them as soon as the soil can be worked. In warmer areas (6+), choose a fast-maturing variety and plant early in the month.

How to Grow:

Sow seeds 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart. Provide a trellis or pea fence for support—even bush types benefit from something to cling to.
Water deeply once a week. Peas are drought-tolerant but produce better with consistent moisture.
Pick pods regularly to encourage more production.

Pro Tip:
Not all peas are created equal. Snow peas (flat pods) and snap peas (plump pods) are eaten whole. Shelling peas need to be removed from the pod.

Best Varieties for April:

‘Sugar Snap’: Crisp, sweet pods perfect for snacking.
‘Oregon Sugar Pod’: A snow pea resistant to mildew and cold.

Essential Tips for April Planting Success

1. Know Your Frost Dates
Check your area’s last expected frost date (search online or ask a local nursery). Tender crops like tomatoes and beans can’t go outside until after this date.

2. Warm the Soil
Cold, wet soil slows germination. For direct-sown crops, lay black plastic over the bed for 1–2 weeks before planting. For containers, use a high-quality potting mix that drains well.

3. Harden Off Seedlings
Indoor-grown plants need a gradual transition to outdoor life. Set them outside in a shaded, sheltered spot for a few hours daily, increasing exposure over 7–10 days.

4. Beat Pests Naturally
Slugs, aphids, and beetles wake up hungry in April. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around seedlings, spray aphids with soapy water, or hand-pick pests at dawn.

5. Succession Planting
Don’t sow all your seeds at once! Plant small batches every 2–3 weeks for staggered harvests.

Wrapping Up: April’s Garden Sets the Stage for Summer

April is a month of promise. By planting these five vegetables now, you’ll reap the rewards all summer long. Whether you’re nurturing tomato seedlings on a sunny windowsill or scattering carrot seeds in raised beds, each step brings you closer to a thriving garden.

Remember, gardening isn’t about perfection—it’s about learning and growing (literally!). Keep notes on what works, share extras with neighbors, and don’t forget to pause and enjoy the fresh flavors of your hard work. Happy planting!