6 Best Vegetables to Plant in April for a Garden Full of Spring Favorites
Find fresh picks for your spring garden.
Planning for a plentiful harvest in late spring and early summer? Those homegrown meals all start here, with the best vegetables you should plant in April. The second month of spring is a gardening sweet spot when the soil has already warmed up, the days are getting longer, and the weather is just right for planting cool-weather crops that add color and flavor to your plate. Think fresh peas for Ree’s Spring Pea Pesto Pasta Salad, crisp radishes to top off a refreshing spring salad, or roasted carrots to dip in a spring herb dip.
April is also the point in the year where things start to feel a little more predictable in the garden. As the last risk of frost begins to fade in many areas, you won’t have to worry as much about a surprise cold snap or sudden strong wind damaging new plants. Plus, April is a great time to build momentum, keeping your garden active after winter without long gaps between plantings. So, if you’re ready to enjoy a continuous flow of fresh produce from spring into summer, browse this list of the best vegetables to plant in April, grab your tools, and dig in!
Lettuce
Lettuce is one of the easiest wins for an April garden since it thrives in cool weather and grows quickly. Sow seeds every couple of weeks to keep a steady stream of fresh, crisp leaves coming well into spring.
Carrots
Carrots do best when they’re sown directly into loose, well-draining soil early in the season. They take a little patience, but keeping the newly planted seeds consistently moist will set you up for sweet, crunchy carrots by early summer.
Peas
Peas are practically made for April planting and love cooler temperatures. Give them something to climb right away, and they’ll take off fast, producing a generous harvest before the heat slows them down.
Spinach
Spinach grows quickly and prefers chilly conditions, making April the perfect time to plant. Keep the soil evenly moist, and you can harvest the outer leaves as they grow for a longer-lasting supply.
Radish
If you want quick results, radishes are about as satisfying as it gets. They mature in as little as three to four weeks, so you can plant multiple rounds for a continuous harvest throughout spring.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a quintessential cool-season favorite. Plant it in April so it can establish before temperatures rise, and you’ll be rewarded with firm, flavorful heads in late spring to early summer.
Tierney McAfee is a freelance writer and Country Living and The Pioneer Woman contributor who covers entertainment, holiday & entertaining, food & drinks, design ideas, DIY, and more.
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