April Garden Chores for All USDA Grow Zones

Planting by USDA Zone is a good starting point to get a handle on what you should be thinking of planting and when. If you pair this overview of gardening tasks by zone with experience, local knowledge and good year on year note taking then you will be well on your way to a successful and confident gardener in no time!

ZONE 4

Cut back dead stems of flowers and grasses, try cutting up these dried up stems and plants and leaving them scattered over the ground as a natural mulch. Your layer of old leaves and mulch is still doing its duty to protect the soil and perennials from late spring freezes.
Rearranging perennial plants can commence now except where the soil is too wet. If it sticks together in clods, stop and wait for it to dry. If clods break up with the poke of a finger or garden fork, it is safe to carry on. This is true for working up vegetable garden beds and places where you will plant annual flowers. It is a mistake that you may regret for the rest of the season.
Fertilize grapes, raspberries, and blueberries before growth resumes.
If you haven't already done so, sow seeds indoors of broccoli, early cabbage, cauliflower, celery, eggplant, and head lettuce. Peppers may be sown from seed indoors now, too. Tomato seeds should be sown in the 3^rd or 4^th
Now is a great time to get your soil tested to prep for the coming season. Check with your local Extension Agency for instructions.
Your onions, parsley, and any other cool season crops that are at least 5 weeks old can start the process of being hardened off for transplant outside. Select smaller rather than larger plants of the cole crops (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts) since overly mature plants exposed to low temperatures early in the season tend to bolt into flower too early.
Sow seeds outdoors for the following crops: asparagus, beets, carrots, chard, kohlrabi, leaf lettuce, mustard, onion sets, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radish, spinach, and turnip.
Establish new plantings of grapes, strawberries, raspberries, asparagus, and rhubarb as soon as the ground can be worked.
Raspberry canes that will produce this year's crop should be pruned back by 1/4 before growth resumes. Last year's fruiting canes should have been cut down to the ground after harvest last year but if not, do it now.

ZONE 5

The second or third week of April should be safe to start the process of hardening off for transplant outside of your onions, parsley, and any other cool season crops that are at least 5 weeks old. Select smaller rather than larger plants of the cole crops (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts) since overly mature plants exposed to low temperatures early in the season tend to bolt into flower too early.
Scatter annual poppy seeds in flower borders. The fine seeds need no covering. The plants grow rapidly and provide colorful flowers in early summer.
Fertilize grapes, raspberries, and blueberries before growth resumes.
If you haven't already done so, sow seeds indoors for eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes.
Now is a great time to get your soil tested to prep for the coming season. Check with your local Extension Agency for instructions.
Sow seeds outdoors for the following crops: asparagus, beets, carrots, chard, kohlrabi, leaf lettuce, mustard, onion sets, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radish, spinach, and turnip.
Establish new plantings of grapes, strawberries, raspberries, asparagus, and rhubarb as soon as the ground can be worked.
Raspberry canes that will produce this year's crop should be pruned back by 1/4 before growth resumes. Last year's fruiting canes should have been cut down to the ground after harvest last year but if not, do it now.

ZONE 6

Measure the rainfall with a rain gauge posted near the garden so you can tell when to water. The garden needs about one inch of rain per week from April to September.
The first week of April should be safe to start the process of hardening off for transplant outside of your onions, parsley, and any other cool season crops that are at least 5 weeks old. Select smaller rather than larger plants of the cole crops (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts) since overly mature plants exposed to low temperatures early in the season tend to bolt into flower too early.
Direct sow carrots, Swiss chard, peas, collards, kale, kohlrabi, leaf lettuce, onions, parsley, parsnips, beets, leaf lettuce, radishes, salsify and spinach as soil and weather conditions permit.
Sow seeds of hardy annual flowers (calendula, clarkia, larkspur, California poppy, and sweet pea).
Keep “hilling up” potatoes.
Plan new landscaping projects on paper first. Do not over plant. Be sure you know the mature size of each plant and allow for growth.
Fertilize grapes, raspberries, and blueberries before growth resumes.
If you haven't already done so, sow seeds indoors for eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes.
Sow seeds outdoors for the following crops: asparagus, beets, carrots, chard, kohlrabi, leaf lettuce, mustard, onion sets, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radish, spinach, and turnip.
Establish new plantings of fruit trees, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, asparagus, and rhubarb.
Raspberry canes that will produce this year's crop should be pruned back by 1/4 before growth resumes. Last year's fruiting canes should have been cut down to the ground after harvest last year but if not, do it now.
Add organic matter to soil to improve soil tilth and drainage.

ZONE 7

Measure the rainfall with a rain gauge posted near the garden so you can tell when to water. The garden needs about one inch of rain per week from April to September.
Sow seeds of hardy annual flowers (calendula, clarkia, larkspur, California poppy, and sweet pea).
Outdoors you can sow seeds directly into the garden for beets, carrots, chard, kohlrabi, late cabbage, lettuce, mustard, collards, turnips, radish, spinach, onion sets, onion seeds for bunching onions.
Plant new trees and shrubs by the end of the month.
Resist planting out warm season summer veggies! The chance of a late frost is still high, and warm days can be deceiving.
Plan new landscaping projects on paper first. Do not over plant. Be sure you know the mature size of each plant and allow for growth.
If you haven't already done so, sow seeds indoors for eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes.
Continue to sow seeds outdoors for the following crops: beets, carrots, chard, kohlrabi, leaf lettuce, mustard, onion sets, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radish, spinach, and turnip.
Establish new plantings of fruit trees, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, asparagus, and rhubarb.
Add organic matter to soil to improve soil tilth and drainage.
Fertilize perennial flowers now as growth is beginning. Most will only need fertilizing every three years and only at this time of year.
Cover Brassica crops with floating row cover to protect from cabbage moth and flea beetle damage if these little critters have been a problem in the past.
Keep “hilling up” potatoes.
Sow more carrots and lettuce early this month, and mulch potatoes with 6 inches of straw.
Set out a few early-ripening tomato cultivars beneath cloches.
Set out annual flowers, and plant dahlias.
Fill the backs of sunny flowerbeds with tall sunflowers or tithonia.

ZONE 8

Measure the rainfall with a rain gauge posted near the garden so you can tell when to water. The garden needs about one inch of rain per week from April to September.
Sow seeds of hardy annual flowers (calendula, clarkia, larkspur, California poppy, and sweet pea).
Plant new trees and shrubs by the end of the month.
Resist planting out warm season summer veggies until your last frost free date has come! Warm days can be deceiving.
If you haven't already done so, sow seeds indoors for eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes.
Continue to sow seeds outdoors for the following crops: beets, carrots, chard, kohlrabi, leaf lettuce, mustard, onion sets, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radish, spinach, and turnip.
Establish new plantings of fruit trees, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, asparagus, and rhubarb.
Add organic matter to soil to improve soil tilth and drainage.
Fertilize perennial flowers now as growth is beginning. Most will only need fertilizing every three years and only at this time of year.
Keep “hilling up” potatoes.
Sow more carrots and lettuce early this month, and mulch potatoes with 6 inches of straw.
At midmonth, start sowing sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash, and bush beans, as well as herbs.
You can start seeds indoors of okra, pumpkin, cucumber, summer and winter squash, and melons. Sow vine crops in individual peat pots since these do not transplant well if roots are disturbed.
Set out annual flowers, and plant dahlias.
Fill the backs of sunny flowerbeds with tall sunflowers or tithonia.

ZONE 9

New varieties of coleus do well in sun or shade and provide vivid colors and patterns for months.
Planting early-, mid-, and late-blooming varieties of daylily ensures months of color from these low-maintenance plants.
Continue adding to your herb garden. Try nasturtiums! The leaves and flowers add a peppery zest to salads.
Continue planting warm-season crops, such as beans, sweet corn, and squash. Mulch well to prevent weeds and provide water if the weather has been dry.
Monitor landscape plants weekly for aphids on tender new growth.
Identify and conserve beneficial insects. Some insects should be encouraged in your yard!
Check for thrips if leaves and/or flowers of gardenias and roses are damaged.
Divide clumps of bulbs, ornamental grasses, or herbaceous perennials to expand or rejuvenate garden beds or to pass along to friends.
Add mulch to minimize weeds and conserve moisture during dry weather. Organic mulches add nutrients to the soil.

ZONE 10

Plant heat-tolerant annuals, such as coleus, vinca, and portulaca.
Cannas thrive in the heat of summer. New varieties have colorful leaves as well as flowers.
Some to start now include basil, coriander, cumin, and mint.
Beans, Chinese cabbage, Southern peas, and sweet potatoes can still be planted. Mulch beds well and monitor irrigation if the weather is dry.
Monitor insect activity and learn which bugs damage plants and which do not.
Identify and conserve beneficial insects. Some insects should be encouraged in your yard!
Watch for pests, disease, and nutritional disorders on developing tomato plants.
Identify and treat environmental and nutritional disorders in palm trees.
Divide clumps of bulbs, ornamental grasses, or herbaceous perennials to expand or rejuvenate garden beds or to pass along to friends.
Choose from a wide variety of shrubs to add to the landscape now.

	*Article Written by: Angie Lavezzo*
	About the Author: Angie Lavezzo is the former general manager of Sow True Seed. Beyond her professional role at Sow True, Angie's passion for gardening extends into personal hands-on experience, fostering plants and reaping bountiful harvests.