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Zone 6A — April

What to Plant in April in Zone 6A

April in Zone 6A: 85 crops to start indoors, 150 to plant or direct sow outside, and 14 entering harvest window. Last frost averages April 18. Reference city: Columbus, OH.
85 Start Indoors
150 Plant Outside
14 Harvest

Start Indoors in April

Plant Type Start Indoors Transplant Outside Harvest Window
Armenian Cucumber cucumber Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 24 – Jul 4
Berry Blue honeyberry shrubs fruit Apr 4 Apr 4 Apr 3
Black Beauty Zucchini vegetable Apr 1 Apr 29 Jun 13 – Jun 23
Concord grape vines fruit Apr 4 Apr 4 Apr 4 – Apr 3
Eight Ball Zucchini zucchini Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 9 – Jun 19
Epazote epazote Apr 4 Apr 25 Jun 19 – Jun 29
Gold Rush Zucchini zucchini Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 9 – Jun 14
Green Fingers Persian Cucumber cucumber Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 19 – Jun 24
Green shiso leaves shiso Apr 4 Apr 25 Jun 24 – Jul 4
Heirloom Red Kuri Squash winter squash Apr 11 Apr 25 Jul 24 – Aug 3
Invicta gooseberry shrubs fruit Apr 4 Apr 4 Apr 4 – Apr 3
Issai hardy kiwi vines fruit Apr 4 Apr 4 Apr 3
New Zealand Spinach new zealand spinach Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 14 – Jun 24
Orion Florence Fennel fennel Apr 4 Apr 25 Jul 14 – Jul 24
Pápalo leaves papalo Apr 11 Apr 18 Jun 27 – Jul 7
Red Lake currant shrubs fruit Apr 4 Apr 4 Apr 3
Roselle calyces and leaves roselle Apr 4 Apr 25 Sep 22 – Oct 22
Spacemaster Bush Cucumber cucumber Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 24 – Jun 29
Straight Eight Cucumber cucumber Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 24 – Jun 29
Sunshine Kabocha Squash winter squash Apr 11 Apr 25 Jul 29 – Aug 3
Water spinach stems and leaves water spinach Apr 11 Apr 18 May 18 – Jun 2
Amish Paste Tomatoes tomato Apr 4 May 2 Jul 15 – Jul 26
Anise hyssop leaves and flowers anise hyssop Apr 25 May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 31
Bachelor's button edible flowers bachelors button Apr 25 May 2 Jul 1 – Jul 21
Banana Peppers pepper Apr 4 May 9 Jul 8 – Jul 18
Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato Apr 25 May 2 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Better Boy Tomatoes tomato Apr 11 May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 16
Bitter melons bitter melon Apr 18 May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 31
Black Cherry Tomato tomato Apr 4 May 2 Jul 5 – Jul 16
Black Krim Tomatoes tomato Apr 25 May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens microgreen Apr 25 May 2 May 9 – May 14
Brandywine Tomatoes tomato Apr 25 May 2 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Butternut Squash vegetable Apr 4 May 2 Aug 10 – Aug 30
California Wonder Peppers pepper Apr 4 May 9 Jul 20 – Jul 23
Cantaloupe vegetable Apr 4 May 2 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Celebrity Tomatoes tomato Apr 25 May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 13
Cherokee Purple Tomatoes tomato Apr 25 May 2 Jul 19 – Jul 26
Crosne tubers crosne Apr 25 May 2 Oct 29 – Dec 8
Cubanelle Peppers pepper Apr 4 May 9 Jul 10 – Jul 18
Culinary Turmeric turmeric Apr 11 May 9 Jan 4 – Mar 5
Cupid Grape Tomato tomato Apr 11 May 2 Jul 6 – Jul 11
Delica kabocha squash kabocha Apr 18 May 2 Aug 5 – Aug 20
Early Girl Tomatoes tomato Apr 25 May 2 Jun 23 – Jul 3
Elephant garlic bulbs elephant garlic Apr 25 May 2 Oct 29 – Dec 28
Genovese Basil herb Apr 4 May 2 Jul 1 – Jul 11
Ginger ginger Apr 11 May 9 Jan 4 – Mar 5
Green Zebra Tomatoes tomato Apr 25 May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 19
Hairy vetch cover crop stands hairy vetch Apr 25 May 2 Jul 1 – Jul 31
Honeydew Melon vegetable Apr 4 May 2 Aug 10 – Aug 25
Jacob's Cattle beans dry bean Apr 25 May 2 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Jerusalem artichoke tubers sunchoke Apr 25 May 2 Aug 20 – Sep 29
Jimmy Nardello Peppers pepper Apr 4 May 9 Jul 28 – Aug 7
Juliet Tomatoes tomato Apr 11 May 2 Jun 30 – Jul 2
King Arthur Peppers pepper Apr 4 May 9 Jul 10 – Jul 16
Luffa gourds luffa Apr 11 May 2 Aug 10 – Aug 30
Lunchbox Mini Peppers pepper Apr 4 May 9 Jul 3 – Jul 8
Marketmore 76 Cucumber vegetable Apr 4 May 2 Jun 29 – Jul 9
Midnight Snack Tomato tomato Apr 4 May 2 Jul 6 – Jul 11
Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes tomato Apr 25 May 2 Jul 21 – Jul 26
Mountain Magic Tomatoes tomato Apr 25 May 2 Jul 13 – Jul 16
Mucho Nacho Jalapeño Peppers pepper Apr 4 May 2 Jul 9 – Jul 11
Padron Peppers pepper Apr 4 May 9 Jul 8 – Jul 13
Patio Princess Tomatoes tomato Apr 11 May 2 Jul 6 – Jul 11
Phacelia cover crop and bee forage phacelia Apr 25 May 2 Jun 16 – Jul 1
Potato onion clusters potato onion Apr 25 May 2 Jul 31 – Aug 30
Purple Basil herb Apr 4 May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 26
Rambo Radish Microgreens microgreen Apr 25 May 2 May 8 – May 12
Red-Stem Malabar Spinach malabar spinach Apr 11 May 2 Jun 26 – Jul 11
Roma VF Tomatoes tomato Apr 25 May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Rutgers Tomato tomato Apr 4 May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 21
San Marzano Tomatoes tomato Apr 25 May 2 Jul 19 – Jul 29
Shishito Peppers pepper Apr 4 May 9 Jul 8 – Jul 13
Signet marigold edible flowers signet marigold Apr 25 May 2 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Speckled Pea Shoot Microgreens microgreen Apr 25 May 2 May 10 – May 16
Sugar Baby Watermelon vegetable Apr 4 May 2 Jul 16 – Jul 21
Sun Gold Tomatoes tomato Apr 11 May 2 Jun 28 – Jul 6
Supersweet 100 Tomatoes tomato Apr 11 May 2 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Sweet 100 Tomatoes tomato Apr 11 May 2 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Sweet Million Tomato tomato Apr 4 May 2 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Thai Basil herb Apr 4 May 2 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Tiny Tim Tomato tomato Apr 4 May 2 Jun 16 – Jun 26
Tumbling Tom Red Tomato tomato Apr 4 May 2 Jul 6 – Jul 11
White clover living mulch white clover Apr 25 May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 31
Winter rye cover crop stands winter rye Apr 25 May 2 Oct 29 – Dec 8
Yellow Pear Tomatoes tomato Apr 11 May 2 Jul 11 – Jul 19

Plant Outside in April

Plant Type Action Target Date Harvest Window
Acorn Squash vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jul 7 – Jul 27
Alexandria Alpine Strawberry fruit Transplant Apr 25 Aug 3 – Aug 23
Armenian Cucumber cucumber Transplant Apr 25 Jun 24 – Jul 4
Astro Arugula vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 May 9 – May 28
Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 27 – Jul 17
Baby Cakes Blackberry fruit Plant Out Apr 25 Apr 25 – Jun 24
Bay Laurel bay laurel Plant Out Apr 25 Jun 24 – Apr 25
Beauregard Sweet Potato root Direct Sow Apr 25 Jul 24 – Aug 8
Bee Balm flower Plant Out Apr 18 —
Berry Blue honeyberry shrubs fruit Transplant Apr 4 Apr 3
Black Beauty Eggplant vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jul 2 – Jul 17
Black Beauty Zucchini vegetable Transplant Apr 29 Jun 13 – Jun 23
Black-Eyed Pea vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 22 – Jun 27
Black-Eyed Susan flower Plant Out Apr 18 —
Bloomsdale Longstanding Spinach vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 2 – Jun 9
Blue Lake Bush Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 7 – Jun 15
Bok Choy vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 2 – Jun 17
Borage flower Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 12 – Jul 2
Brilliant Celeriac celeriac Transplant Apr 18 Aug 6 – Aug 16
Buckwheat cover crop Plant Out Apr 18 May 18 – Jun 2
Butterhead Lettuce vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 7 – Jun 22
Calendula flower Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 7 – Jun 17
Calypso Cilantro herb Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 7 – Jun 12
Cherry Belle Radish root Direct Sow Apr 25 May 16 – May 25
Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 May 18 – Jun 7
Chioggia Beet root Direct Sow Apr 25 Jun 19 – Jun 29
Chives herb Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 17 – Jul 2
Clemson Spineless Okra vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 12 – Jun 21
Common Sage herb Plant Out Apr 18 Jul 2 – Jul 17
Concord grape vines fruit Transplant Apr 4 Apr 4 – Apr 3
Contender Bush Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 2 – Jun 12
Cosmic Purple Carrot root Direct Sow Apr 25 Jun 22 – Jul 9
Cosmos flower Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 27 – Jul 17
Crimson Clover cover crop Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 17 – Jul 17
Crimson Sweet Watermelon vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jul 7 – Jul 17
Curly Kale vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 12 – Jun 22
Curly Parsley herb Transplant Apr 18 Jun 27 – Jul 7
Daikon Radishes daikon radish Transplant Apr 4 May 19 – May 29
Danvers Carrot root Direct Sow Apr 25 Jul 4 – Jul 14
Delicata Squash vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jul 7 – Jul 27
Detroit Dark Red Beet root Direct Sow Apr 25 Jun 19 – Jun 24
Dill herb Plant Out Apr 18 May 28 – Jun 12
Dragon Tongue Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 12 – Jun 17
Echinacea flower Plant Out Apr 18 —
Edamame vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jul 2 – Jul 22
Eight Ball Zucchini zucchini Transplant Apr 25 Jun 9 – Jun 19
Endive / Escarole vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 2 – Jun 22
English Lavender flower Plant Out Apr 18 —
English Lavender herb Plant Out Apr 18 Jul 17 – Aug 16
English Thyme herb Plant Out Apr 25 Jul 4 – Jul 24
Epazote epazote Transplant Apr 25 Jun 19 – Jun 29
Fall Rutabagas rutabaga Plant Out Apr 18 Jul 12 – Jul 27
Fava Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jul 2 – Jul 27
Flat-Leaf Parsley herb Transplant Apr 18 Jun 27 – Jul 17
French Breakfast Radish root Direct Sow Apr 25 May 16 – May 23
French Marigold flower Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 7 – Jun 17
French Tarragon herb Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 17 – Jul 7
Garlic Chives herb Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 17 – Jul 2
Georgia Southern Collard Greens vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 17 – Jul 7
German Chamomile herb Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 17 – Jun 22
Gold Rush Zucchini zucchini Transplant Apr 25 Jun 9 – Jun 14
Golden Beet root Direct Sow Apr 25 Jun 19 – Jun 29
Greek Oregano herb Plant Out Apr 25 Jun 24 – Jul 14
Green Fingers Persian Cucumber cucumber Transplant Apr 25 Jun 19 – Jun 24
Green Onion vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 17 – Jul 17
Green shiso leaves shiso Transplant Apr 25 Jun 24 – Jul 4
Heirloom Red Kuri Squash winter squash Transplant Apr 25 Jul 24 – Aug 3
Herb Fennel herb Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 17 – Jun 27
Heritage Raspberry fruit Plant Out Apr 25 Apr 25 – Jun 24
Horseradish vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Sep 5 – Sep 25
Imperial Star Artichoke artichoke Transplant Apr 18 Jul 17 – Jul 27
Invicta gooseberry shrubs fruit Transplant Apr 4 Apr 4 – Apr 3
Isis Candy cherry tomatoes tomato Transplant Apr 25 Jul 14 – Jul 24
Issai hardy kiwi vines fruit Transplant Apr 4 Apr 3
Jack O'Lantern Pumpkin vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jul 17 – Aug 6
Japanese Eggplant vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 7 – Jun 22
Jersey Knight Asparagus vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Apr 17
Kellogg's Breakfast tomatoes tomato Transplant Apr 25 Jul 9 – Jul 19
Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 15 – Jun 27
Lacinato Kale vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 17 – Jun 22
Leaf Lettuce Mix vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 2 – Jun 12
Leek vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jul 27 – Aug 26
Lemon Balm herb Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 2 – Jun 17
Lemon Cucumber vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 17 – Jun 27
Lemon Verbena lemon verbena Plant Out Apr 25 Jul 24 – Aug 23
Lemongrass herb Plant Out Apr 18 Jul 2 – Jul 27
Lima Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 17 – Jul 7
Mammoth Sunflower flower Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 22 – Jul 7
Matt's Wild Cherry tomatoes tomato Transplant Apr 25 Jun 19 – Jul 14
Mesclun Mix vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 May 9 – May 18
Mizuna vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 May 28 – Jun 7
Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil basil Transplant Apr 25 Jun 24 – Jul 4
Mustard Greens vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 May 23 – Jun 7
Mâche (Corn Salad) vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 17 – Jul 11
Nantes Carrot root Direct Sow Apr 25 Jun 26 – Jul 9
Napa Cabbage vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 27 – Jul 17
Nasturtium flower Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 7 – Jun 22
National Pickling Cucumber vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 7 – Jun 15
New Zealand Spinach new zealand spinach Transplant Apr 25 Jun 14 – Jun 24
Orion Florence Fennel fennel Transplant Apr 25 Jul 14 – Jul 24
Ozark Beauty Strawberry fruit Plant Out Apr 25 Jun 24 – Jul 24
Parsnip root Direct Sow Apr 25 Aug 3 – Sep 2
Patriot Blueberry fruit Plant Out Apr 25 Apr 24
Pattypan Squash vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 4 – Jun 12
Paul Robeson tomatoes tomato Transplant Apr 25 Jul 4 – Jul 19
Peppermint herb Plant Out Apr 18 May 18 – Jun 2
Popcorn vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jul 12 – Aug 16
Provider Bush Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 7 – Jun 12
Pápalo leaves papalo Transplant Apr 18 Jun 27 – Jul 7
Radicchio vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 17 – Jul 12
Raspberry Shortcake Raspberry fruit Plant Out Apr 25 Apr 25 – Jun 24
Red Lake currant shrubs fruit Transplant Apr 4 Apr 3
Red Leaf Lettuce vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 2 – Jun 12
Red Pontiac Potato root Direct Sow Apr 25 Jul 24 – Aug 13
Red Russian Kale vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 7 – Jun 17
Rhubarb vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Apr 18 – Apr 17
Romaine Lettuce vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 22 – Jul 2
Roselle calyces and leaves roselle Transplant Apr 25 Sep 22 – Oct 22
Scarlet Runner Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 17 – Jun 27
Seascape Strawberry fruit Plant Out Apr 25 Jul 9 – Jul 24
Shallot vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jul 17 – Aug 16
Shelling Pea vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 12 – Jun 27
Silver Queen Sweet Corn vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jul 17 – Jul 19
Snow Pea vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 9 – Jun 27
Softneck Garlic root Direct Sow Apr 25 Dec 21 – Jan 20
Spacemaster Bush Cucumber cucumber Transplant Apr 25 Jun 24 – Jun 29
Spaghetti Squash vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jul 15 – Jul 27
Spearmint herb Plant Out Apr 18 May 18 – Jun 2
Stevia herb Plant Out Apr 18 Jul 17 – Aug 16
Straight Eight Cucumber cucumber Transplant Apr 25 Jun 24 – Jun 29
Sugar Pie Pumpkin vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jul 17 – Aug 6
Sugar Snap Pea vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 12 – Jun 27
Sunshine Blue Blueberry fruit Plant Out Apr 25 Apr 24
Sunshine Kabocha Squash winter squash Transplant Apr 25 Jul 29 – Aug 3
Sweet Alyssum flower Plant Out Apr 18 May 28 – Jun 12
Sweet Marjoram marjoram Transplant Apr 25 Jul 9 – Jul 24
Swiss Chard vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 7 – Jun 17
Tall Utah 52-70 Celery vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jul 27 – Aug 26
Tomatillo vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 17 – Jul 12
Top Hat Blueberry fruit Plant Out Apr 25 Apr 24
Turnip root Direct Sow Apr 25 Jun 14 – Jun 24
Viola and pansy edible flowers viola Transplant Apr 4 Jun 3 – Jun 13
Water spinach stems and leaves water spinach Transplant Apr 18 May 18 – Jun 2
Watermelon Radish root Direct Sow Apr 25 Jun 14 – Jun 29
Winner Kohlrabi vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 2 – Jun 7
Yard Long Bean vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 17 – Jul 17
Yarrow flower Plant Out Apr 18 —
Yellow Crookneck Squash vegetable Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 7 – Jun 17
Yukon Gold Potato root Direct Sow Apr 25 Jul 14 – Aug 3
Zinnia flower Plant Out Apr 18 Jun 17 – Jul 17

Harvest in April

Plant Type Planted / Sown Harvest Window
Tatsoi tatsoi Mar 21 Apr 15 – May 5
Baby Cakes Blackberry fruit Apr 25 Apr 25 – Jun 24
Berry Blue honeyberry shrubs fruit Apr 4 Apr 3
Concord grape vines fruit Apr 4 Apr 4 – Apr 3
Heritage Raspberry fruit Apr 25 Apr 25 – Jun 24
Invicta gooseberry shrubs fruit Apr 4 Apr 4 – Apr 3
Issai hardy kiwi vines fruit Apr 4 Apr 3
Jersey Knight Asparagus vegetable Apr 18 Apr 17
Patriot Blueberry fruit Apr 25 Apr 24
Raspberry Shortcake Raspberry fruit Apr 25 Apr 25 – Jun 24
Red Lake currant shrubs fruit Apr 4 Apr 3
Rhubarb vegetable Apr 18 Apr 18 – Apr 17
Sunshine Blue Blueberry fruit Apr 25 Apr 24
Top Hat Blueberry fruit Apr 25 Apr 24

Key Tasks for April in Zone 6A

  1. 1 Start 85 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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