Zone 5B — April

What to Plant in April in Zone 5B

April in Zone 5B: 84 crops to start indoors, 129 to plant or direct sow outside, and 19 entering harvest window. Last frost averages April 17. Reference city: Kansas City, MO.
84 Start Indoors
129 Plant Outside
19 Harvest

Start Indoors in April

Plant Type Start Indoors Transplant Outside Harvest Window
Armenian Cucumber cucumber Apr 10 Apr 24 Jun 23 – Jul 3
Berry Blue honeyberry shrubs fruit Apr 3 Apr 3 Apr 2
Concord grape vines fruit Apr 3 Apr 3 Apr 3 – Apr 2
Eight Ball Zucchini squash Apr 10 Apr 24 Jun 8 – Jun 18
Epazote herb Apr 3 Apr 24 Jun 18 – Jun 28
Gold Rush Zucchini squash Apr 10 Apr 24 Jun 8 – Jun 13
Green Fingers Persian Cucumber cucumber Apr 10 Apr 24 Jun 18 – Jun 23
Green shiso leaves herb Apr 3 Apr 24 Jun 23 – Jul 3
Heirloom Red Kuri Squash squash Apr 10 Apr 24 Jul 23 – Aug 2
Invicta gooseberry shrubs fruit Apr 3 Apr 3 Apr 3 – Apr 2
Issai hardy kiwi vines fruit Apr 3 Apr 3 Apr 2
New Zealand Spinach lettuce Apr 10 Apr 24 Jun 13 – Jun 23
Orion Florence Fennel vegetable Apr 3 Apr 24 Jul 13 – Jul 23
Pápalo leaves herb Apr 10 Apr 17 Jun 26 – Jul 6
Red Lake currant shrubs fruit Apr 3 Apr 3 Apr 2
Roselle calyces and leaves vegetable Apr 3 Apr 24 Sep 21 – Oct 21
Spacemaster Bush Cucumber cucumber Apr 10 Apr 24 Jun 23 – Jun 28
Straight Eight Cucumber cucumber Apr 10 Apr 24 Jun 23 – Jun 28
Sunshine Kabocha Squash squash Apr 10 Apr 24 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Water spinach stems and leaves lettuce Apr 10 Apr 17 May 17 – Jun 1
Amish Paste Tomatoes tomato Apr 3 May 1 Jul 14 – Jul 25
Anise hyssop leaves and flowers flower Apr 24 May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 30
Bachelor's button edible flowers flower Apr 24 May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 20
Banana Peppers pepper Apr 3 May 8 Jul 7 – Jul 17
Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 25
Better Boy Tomatoes tomato Apr 10 May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 15
Bitter melons vegetable Apr 17 May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 30
Black Cherry Tomato tomato Apr 3 May 1 Jul 4 – Jul 15
Black Krim Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens microgreen Apr 24 May 1 May 8 – May 13
Brandywine Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Butternut Squash squash Apr 3 May 1 Aug 9 – Aug 29
California Wonder Peppers pepper Apr 3 May 8 Jul 19 – Jul 22
Cantaloupe melon Apr 3 May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Celebrity Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 12
Cherokee Purple Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jul 18 – Jul 25
Crosne tubers root_vegetable Apr 24 May 1 Oct 28 – Dec 7
Cubanelle Peppers pepper Apr 3 May 8 Jul 9 – Jul 17
Culinary Turmeric root_vegetable Apr 10 May 8 Jan 3 – Mar 4
Cupid Grape Tomato tomato Apr 10 May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 10
Delica kabocha squash squash Apr 17 May 1 Aug 4 – Aug 19
Early Girl Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jun 22 – Jul 2
Elephant garlic bulbs root_vegetable Apr 24 May 1 Oct 28 – Dec 27
Genovese Basil herb Apr 3 May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 10
Ginger root_vegetable Apr 10 May 8 Jan 3 – Mar 4
Green Zebra Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 18
Hairy vetch cover crop stands cover crop Apr 24 May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 30
Honeydew Melon melon Apr 3 May 1 Aug 9 – Aug 24
Jacob's Cattle beans legume Apr 24 May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Jerusalem artichoke tubers root_vegetable Apr 24 May 1 Aug 19 – Sep 28
Jimmy Nardello Peppers pepper Apr 3 May 8 Jul 27 – Aug 6
Juliet Tomatoes tomato Apr 10 May 1 Jun 29 – Jul 1
King Arthur Peppers pepper Apr 3 May 8 Jul 9 – Jul 15
Luffa gourds vegetable Apr 10 May 1 Aug 9 – Aug 29
Lunchbox Mini Peppers pepper Apr 3 May 8 Jul 2 – Jul 7
Marketmore 76 Cucumber cucumber Apr 3 May 1 Jun 28 – Jul 8
Midnight Snack Tomato tomato Apr 3 May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 10
Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jul 20 – Jul 25
Mountain Magic Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jul 12 – Jul 15
Mucho Nacho Jalapeño Peppers pepper Apr 3 May 1 Jul 8 – Jul 10
Padron Peppers pepper Apr 3 May 8 Jul 7 – Jul 12
Patio Princess Tomatoes tomato Apr 10 May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 10
Phacelia cover crop and bee forage cover crop Apr 24 May 1 Jun 15 – Jun 30
Potato onion clusters root_vegetable Apr 24 May 1 Jul 30 – Aug 29
Purple Basil herb Apr 3 May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 25
Rambo Radish Microgreens microgreen Apr 24 May 1 May 7 – May 11
Red-Stem Malabar Spinach lettuce Apr 10 May 1 Jun 25 – Jul 10
Roma VF Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Rutgers Tomato tomato Apr 3 May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 20
San Marzano Tomatoes tomato Apr 24 May 1 Jul 18 – Jul 28
Shishito Peppers pepper Apr 3 May 8 Jul 7 – Jul 12
Signet marigold edible flowers flower Apr 24 May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 5
Speckled Pea Shoot Microgreens microgreen Apr 24 May 1 May 9 – May 15
Sugar Baby Watermelon melon Apr 3 May 1 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Sun Gold Tomatoes tomato Apr 10 May 1 Jun 27 – Jul 5
Supersweet 100 Tomatoes tomato Apr 10 May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 5
Sweet 100 Tomatoes tomato Apr 10 May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 5
Sweet Million Tomato tomato Apr 3 May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 5
Thai Basil herb Apr 3 May 1 Jun 30 – Jul 5
Tiny Tim Tomato tomato Apr 3 May 1 Jun 15 – Jun 25
Tumbling Tom Red Tomato tomato Apr 3 May 1 Jul 5 – Jul 10
White clover living mulch cover crop Apr 24 May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 30
Winter rye cover crop stands cover crop Apr 24 May 1 Oct 28 – Dec 7
Yellow Pear Tomatoes tomato Apr 10 May 1 Jul 10 – Jul 18

Plant Outside in April

Plant Type Action Target Date Harvest Window
Acorn Squash squash Direct Sow Apr 24 Jul 13 – Aug 2
Alexandria Alpine Strawberry berry Transplant Apr 24 Aug 2 – Aug 22
Armenian Cucumber cucumber Transplant Apr 24 Jun 23 – Jul 3
Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 26 – Jul 16
Baby Cakes Blackberry berry Plant Out Apr 24 Apr 24 – Jun 23
Bay Laurel herb Plant Out Apr 24 Jun 23 – Apr 24
Beauregard Sweet Potato root_vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 16 – Jul 31
Bee Balm flower Plant Out Apr 17
Berry Blue honeyberry shrubs fruit Transplant Apr 3 Apr 2
Black Beauty Eggplant vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 1 – Jul 16
Black Beauty Zucchini squash Transplant Apr 28 Jun 12 – Jun 22
Black-Eyed Pea legume Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 21 – Jun 26
Black-Eyed Susan flower Plant Out Apr 17
Blue Lake Bush Bean legume Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 14
Borage flower Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 11 – Jul 1
Brilliant Celeriac root_vegetable Transplant Apr 17 Aug 5 – Aug 15
Buckwheat cover crop Plant Out Apr 17 May 17 – Jun 1
Calendula flower Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 16
Calypso Cilantro herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 11
Cherry Belle Radish root_vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 May 8 – May 17
Chioggia Beet root_vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 11 – Jun 21
Chives herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 1
Clemson Spineless Okra vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 11 – Jun 20
Common Sage herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 1 – Jul 16
Concord grape vines fruit Transplant Apr 3 Apr 3 – Apr 2
Contender Bush Bean legume Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 1 – Jun 11
Cosmic Purple Carrot root_vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 14 – Jul 1
Cosmos flower Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 26 – Jul 16
Crimson Clover cover crop Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 16
Crimson Sweet Watermelon melon Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Curly Parsley herb Transplant Apr 17 Jun 26 – Jul 6
Daikon Radishes root_vegetable Transplant Apr 3 May 18 – May 28
Danvers Carrot root_vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 26 – Jul 6
Delicata Squash squash Direct Sow Apr 24 Jul 13 – Aug 2
Detroit Dark Red Beet root_vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 11 – Jun 16
Dill herb Plant Out Apr 17 May 27 – Jun 11
Dragon Tongue Bean legume Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 11 – Jun 16
Echinacea flower Plant Out Apr 17
Edamame legume Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 1 – Jul 21
Eight Ball Zucchini squash Transplant Apr 24 Jun 8 – Jun 18
English Lavender flower Plant Out Apr 17
English Lavender herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 16 – Aug 15
English Thyme herb Plant Out Apr 24 Jul 3 – Jul 23
Epazote herb Transplant Apr 24 Jun 18 – Jun 28
Fall Rutabagas root_vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 11 – Jul 26
Fava Bean legume Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 1 – Jul 26
Flat-Leaf Parsley herb Transplant Apr 17 Jun 26 – Jul 16
French Breakfast Radish root_vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 May 8 – May 15
French Marigold flower Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 16
French Tarragon herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 6
Garlic Chives herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 1
German Chamomile herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jun 21
Gold Rush Zucchini squash Transplant Apr 24 Jun 8 – Jun 13
Golden Beet root_vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 11 – Jun 21
Greek Oregano herb Plant Out Apr 24 Jun 23 – Jul 13
Green Fingers Persian Cucumber cucumber Transplant Apr 24 Jun 18 – Jun 23
Green Onion vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 16
Green shiso leaves herb Transplant Apr 24 Jun 23 – Jul 3
Heirloom Red Kuri Squash squash Transplant Apr 24 Jul 23 – Aug 2
Herb Fennel herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jun 26
Heritage Raspberry berry Plant Out Apr 24 Apr 24 – Jun 23
Horseradish vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Sep 4 – Sep 24
Imperial Star Artichoke vegetable Transplant Apr 17 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Invicta gooseberry shrubs fruit Transplant Apr 3 Apr 3 – Apr 2
Isis Candy cherry tomatoes tomato Transplant Apr 24 Jul 13 – Jul 23
Issai hardy kiwi vines fruit Transplant Apr 3 Apr 2
Jack O'Lantern Pumpkin squash Direct Sow Apr 24 Jul 23 – Aug 12
Japanese Eggplant vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 21
Jersey Knight Asparagus vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Apr 16
Kellogg's Breakfast tomatoes tomato Transplant Apr 24 Jul 8 – Jul 18
Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean legume Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 14 – Jun 26
Leek vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 26 – Aug 25
Lemon Balm herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 1 – Jun 16
Lemon Cucumber cucumber Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jun 26
Lemon Verbena herb Plant Out Apr 24 Jul 23 – Aug 22
Lemongrass herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 1 – Jul 26
Lima Bean legume Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 6
Mammoth Sunflower flower Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 21 – Jul 6
Matt's Wild Cherry tomatoes tomato Transplant Apr 24 Jun 18 – Jul 13
Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil herb Transplant Apr 24 Jun 23 – Jul 3
Nantes Carrot root_vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 18 – Jul 1
Nasturtium flower Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 21
National Pickling Cucumber cucumber Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 14
New Zealand Spinach lettuce Transplant Apr 24 Jun 13 – Jun 23
Orion Florence Fennel vegetable Transplant Apr 24 Jul 13 – Jul 23
Ozark Beauty Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 24 Jun 23 – Jul 23
Parsnip root_vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 26 – Aug 25
Patriot Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 24 Apr 23
Pattypan Squash squash Direct Sow Apr 24 Jun 10 – Jun 18
Paul Robeson tomatoes tomato Transplant Apr 24 Jul 3 – Jul 18
Peppermint herb Plant Out Apr 17 May 17 – Jun 1
Popcorn vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 11 – Aug 15
Provider Bush Bean legume Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 11
Pápalo leaves herb Transplant Apr 17 Jun 26 – Jul 6
Raspberry Shortcake Raspberry berry Plant Out Apr 24 Apr 24 – Jun 23
Red Lake currant shrubs fruit Transplant Apr 3 Apr 2
Red Pontiac Potato root_vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 16 – Aug 5
Rhubarb vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Apr 17 – Apr 16
Roselle calyces and leaves vegetable Transplant Apr 24 Sep 21 – Oct 21
Scarlet Runner Bean legume Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jun 26
Seascape Strawberry berry Plant Out Apr 24 Jul 8 – Jul 23
Shallot vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 16 – Aug 15
Shelling Pea legume Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 11 – Jun 26
Silver Queen Sweet Corn vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 16 – Jul 18
Snow Pea legume Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 8 – Jun 26
Softneck Garlic root_vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Dec 13 – Jan 12
Spacemaster Bush Cucumber cucumber Transplant Apr 24 Jun 23 – Jun 28
Spaghetti Squash squash Direct Sow Apr 24 Jul 21 – Aug 2
Spearmint herb Plant Out Apr 17 May 17 – Jun 1
Stevia herb Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 16 – Aug 15
Straight Eight Cucumber cucumber Transplant Apr 24 Jun 23 – Jun 28
Sugar Pie Pumpkin squash Direct Sow Apr 24 Jul 23 – Aug 12
Sugar Snap Pea legume Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 11 – Jun 26
Sunshine Blue Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 24 Apr 23
Sunshine Kabocha Squash squash Transplant Apr 24 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Sweet Alyssum flower Plant Out Apr 17 May 27 – Jun 11
Sweet Marjoram herb Transplant Apr 24 Jul 8 – Jul 23
Tall Utah 52-70 Celery vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 26 – Aug 25
Tomatillo vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 11
Top Hat Blueberry berry Plant Out Apr 24 Apr 23
Turnip root_vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 16
Viola and pansy edible flowers flower Transplant Apr 3 Jun 2 – Jun 12
Water spinach stems and leaves lettuce Transplant Apr 17 May 17 – Jun 1
Watermelon Radish root_vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 6 – Jun 21
Yard Long Bean legume Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 16
Yarrow flower Plant Out Apr 17
Yellow Crookneck Squash squash Direct Sow Apr 24 Jun 13 – Jun 23
Yukon Gold Potato root_vegetable Plant Out Apr 17 Jul 6 – Jul 26
Zinnia flower Plant Out Apr 17 Jun 16 – Jul 16

Harvest in April

Plant Type Planted / Sown Harvest Window
Astro Arugula lettuce Mar 28 Apr 18 – May 7
Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) brassica Mar 28 Apr 27 – May 17
Mesclun Mix lettuce Mar 28 Apr 18 – Apr 27
Tatsoi lettuce Mar 20 Apr 14 – May 4
Baby Cakes Blackberry berry Apr 24 Apr 24 – Jun 23
Berry Blue honeyberry shrubs fruit Apr 3 Apr 2
Concord grape vines fruit Apr 3 Apr 3 – Apr 2
Heritage Raspberry berry Apr 24 Apr 24 – Jun 23
Invicta gooseberry shrubs fruit Apr 3 Apr 3 – Apr 2
Issai hardy kiwi vines fruit Apr 3 Apr 2
Jersey Knight Asparagus vegetable Apr 17 Apr 16
Patriot Blueberry berry Apr 24 Apr 23
Raspberry Shortcake Raspberry berry Apr 24 Apr 24 – Jun 23
Red Lake currant shrubs fruit Apr 3 Apr 2
Rhubarb vegetable Apr 17 Apr 17 – Apr 16
Sunshine Blue Blueberry berry Apr 24 Apr 23
Top Hat Blueberry berry Apr 24 Apr 23
Improved Meyer Lemon fruit May 1 Apr 30
Nagami Kumquat fruit May 1 Apr 30

Key Tasks for April in Zone 5B

  1. 1 Start 84 varieties indoors this month under grow lights or in a sunny south-facing window. Use a seed-starting mix and bottom heat (70–75°F) for best germination rates.
  2. 2 Harden off transplants before moving outdoors — set them outside in a sheltered spot for increasing hours over 7–10 days before planting in the ground.
  3. 3 Direct sow seeds at the recommended depth and spacing. Keep the seedbed consistently moist until germination is complete.
  4. 4 Check soil moisture before watering — stick a finger 2 inches into the soil. Water only when the soil is dry at that depth. Consistent moisture is more important than frequency.
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