What to Plant in April: Zone 6 Vegetable Garden Guide
April in Zone 6 is the transition month. Early April is still frost territory, but by late April you're planting warm-season crops. Time it right and you'll have vegetables from June through October.
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Quick Answer
In Zone 6, early April is for cold-hardy crops (peas, lettuce, spinach, potatoes). Late April—after your last frost around April 30—is when you transplant tomatoes, peppers, and start direct-sowing beans. Don't rush warm-season crops; cold soil stunts them.
Zone 6 April Overview
| Week | Outdoors | Indoors |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 (Apr 1-7) | Peas, spinach, lettuce, onions | Last call for tomatoes/peppers |
| Week 2 (Apr 8-14) | Carrots, beets, potatoes, kale | Harden off seedlings |
| Week 3 (Apr 15-21) | More lettuce, radishes, chard | Move seedlings outside (days only) |
| Week 4 (Apr 22-30) | Beans, tomatoes, peppers (if frost-free) | Done—everything goes outside |
Last frost date: April 25-30 (average for Zone 6) Soil temp in April: 45-60°F
Early April (Weeks 1-2)
Direct Sow Outdoors
These handle frost and cool soil:
- Peas — If you haven't planted yet, do it now. They stop producing in heat.
- Spinach — Direct sow, harvest in 6 weeks.
- Lettuce — Sow every 2 weeks for continuous harvest.
- Carrots — Sow now for June harvest.
- Beets — Sow now, thin to 3" apart.
- Radishes — 30-day crop, plant every 2 weeks.
- Kale/Collards — Direct sow or transplant.
Transplant Outdoors
- Onion transplants — Plant 4-6" apart.
- Broccoli/Cabbage — Transplant under row cover if cold.
- Potatoes — Plant mid-April, 4" deep.
Still Indoors
- Tomatoes and peppers stay inside until late April
- Harden off by setting outside for a few hours daily
Late April (Weeks 3-4)
After last frost (April 25-30), the garden opens up:
Transplant Outdoors
- Tomatoes — Wait for 50°F nights. Use Wall o' Water if eager.
- Peppers — Even more cold-sensitive than tomatoes. Wait for warm soil.
- Eggplant — Needs warm soil (60°F+).
- Basil — Dies at 32°F. Don't rush it.
Direct Sow Outdoors
- Beans — Need 60°F soil. Late April at earliest.
- Cucumbers — Direct sow or transplant after frost.
- Squash — Direct sow after frost, or start indoors 3 weeks prior.
- Corn — Needs 60°F soil. Plant in blocks for pollination.
April Tasks Checklist
Week 1:
- Plant peas if not done in March
- Direct sow spinach, lettuce, radishes
- Check indoor seedlings—fertilize if yellowing
Week 2:
- Plant potatoes (St. Patrick's Day tradition, but April works)
- Sow carrots and beets
- Begin hardening off tomatoes/peppers
Week 3:
- Succession plant lettuce and radishes
- Transplant broccoli, cabbage, kale
- Prepare tomato beds (add compost)
Week 4:
- Watch forecast—transplant tomatoes/peppers after last frost
- Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash
- Mulch transplants to retain moisture
Frost Protection
Late frosts happen. Be ready:
- Row cover — Keep on hand through mid-May
- Wall o' Water — Lets you plant tomatoes 2-3 weeks early
- Old sheets/blankets — Emergency frost protection
- Mulch — Insulates soil, protects roots
Watch for: Clear, calm nights after warm days = frost risk
Soil Temperature Guide
Don't trust air temperature alone. Soil temp matters more:
| Soil Temp | What to Plant |
|---|---|
| 40°F | Peas, spinach, lettuce, onions |
| 45°F | Carrots, beets, potatoes, kale |
| 50°F | Beans (barely), tomatoes (stressed) |
| 60°F | Beans, corn, cucumbers, squash |
| 65°F+ | Peppers, melons, sweet potatoes |
How to check: Soil thermometer, 4" deep, morning reading.
Sample April Planting Plan (4×8 Bed)
Early April planting:
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Peas (trellised) │ North side
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Spinach │ Lettuce │ Lettuce │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Carrots │ Beets │ Radishes │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Onions │ Kale │ Potatoes │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
Late April additions (after frost):
- Replace harvested radishes with beans
- Add tomato cages to empty corners
- Transplant peppers between kale
Common April Mistakes
Planting tomatoes too early Cold soil stunts growth. A tomato planted May 1 often catches up to one planted April 15.
Skipping hardening off Indoor seedlings need 7-10 days of gradual outdoor exposure. Skip this and they'll wilt or die.
Forgetting succession planting One lettuce planting = one harvest. Plant every 2 weeks for continuous salads.
Ignoring soil temperature Beans in 50°F soil rot. Wait for 60°F.
Get Your Custom April Plan
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- Your exact frost dates
- Your bed size and layout
- What you want to grow
- Succession planting for continuous harvest
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