April showers don’t just bring May flowers—they create the ideal conditions for starting many garden favorites! As spring fully establishes itself and soil temperatures rise, now is the perfect time to get these plants in the ground for a productive growing season ahead.
Whether you’re a beginner gardener or a seasoned pro, these April-friendly plants will help you maximize your garden’s potential while solving common growing challenges. Here’s why you should consider adding these varieties to your garden this month.
1. You Can Finally Tame Persnickety Cilantro
Cilantro has a reputation for being difficult, but April’s mild temperatures create the perfect conditions for this herb to thrive before summer heat triggers bolting (going to seed).
Why plant now: Cilantro prefers cooler weather with soil temperatures between 55-65°F, making April ideal in many growing zones.
Pro tip: Look for “Slow Bolt” varieties specifically bred to resist premature flowering. To speed up germination of these unusual seeds, try cracking their outer hull by gently rolling seeds between your fingers before planting.
Planting technique: For best results, direct sow cilantro rather than transplanting. To ensure a continuous harvest, succession plant every 3-4 weeks throughout spring.
2. You Can Add Dramatic Height with Hollyhocks
Looking for something tall and dramatic to create a stunning backdrop in your garden? Hollyhocks provide striking vertical interest with their 6+ foot stalks covered in beautiful blooms.
Why plant now: Early spring is perfect for starting these biennial beauties, giving them plenty of time to establish before summer heat.
Variety selection matters: Try “Outhouse Blend” for reliable height (historically used to hide outhouses!), “Chaters Double Blend” for fluffy, colorful blooms, or “Indian Spring” if you want flowers in the first year rather than waiting for the typical second-year bloom.
Germination tip: Hollyhocks need light to germinate. Pre-moisten soil, place seeds on the surface, and gently press them down without covering completely. For extra success, top with vermiculite which retains moisture while allowing light through.
3. You Can Grow a Triple-Threat Plant: Lemongrass
April is the perfect time to add this ornamental, edible, and medicinal plant to your garden.
Why plant now: Starting lemongrass early gives it time to reach its impressive mature size during the growing season.
Multiple benefits:
- Beautiful ornamental grass appearance
- Delicious in teas (using the wispy top leaves)
- Essential for authentic Asian cuisine (using the thick stalks)
- Medicinal properties that aid digestion
- Natural mosquito repellent for outdoor spaces
Growing tip: While you can start lemongrass from seed, purchasing starter plants from a garden center offers a much quicker path to success. Consider growing in containers to control its size, and keep consistently moist when establishing.
4. You Can Get a Jump on Pumpkins and Winter Squash
Don’t wait until summer to start thinking about fall harvests. April is the perfect time to start succession planting pumpkins and winter squash.
Why plant now: Early starts allow for multiple plantings and can help beat summer pest pressures.
Space-saving solution: Try compact varieties like “Honey Baby” winter squash with its semi-dwarf habit if growing in raised beds or limited spaces.
Regional adaptation: In hot, humid regions like Florida, native varieties like the “Seminole Pumpkin” offer excellent resistance to local conditions and pests.
5. You Can Master the World of Cucumbers
April’s warming soil creates perfect conditions for cucumber success, but variety selection is critical.
Why plant now: Soil temperatures reaching 60-65°F signal ideal cucumber planting time.
Choose the right type for your needs:
- “Quick Snack” – Perfect for beginners and small spaces as it’s compact and self-pollinating (parthenocarpic)
- “Hocus” – Ideal for pickling with small 1-3 inch fruits, but requires trellising
- “Telegraph Improved” – Classic 18-inch English cucumber that’s been reliable since the 1800s
Direct sowing advantage: While you can start cucumbers indoors, direct sowing eliminates transplant shock and often leads to better establishment. Plant seeds about ½ inch deep when soil has warmed.
6. You Can Maximize Space with Pole Beans
As April soil temperatures reach 60-65°F, it’s the perfect time to plant pole beans—one of the most space-efficient vegetables you can grow.
Why plant now: Warm soil prevents seed rot, while the entire growing season ahead allows for maximum production.
Vertical gardening hack: Plant pole beans at the corners of raised beds or beside existing structures to produce more food without using additional garden space.
Variety recommendations:
- “Scarlet Runner” – Attracts pollinators with beautiful flowers
- “Blue Lake FM-1K” – Reliable, delicious heirloom variety
- “Kentucky Wonder” – Classic variety that can be eaten fresh or dried for storage
Planting tip: Beans need something vertical to wrap around (not just a trellis net). Place 2 seeds near each pole or support structure and thin if needed.
7. You Can Start the Perfect Onion Varieties
April is ideal for getting onions in the ground, but selecting the right type for your latitude is crucial for success.
Why plant now: Early planting gives bulbing onions the time they need to mature properly.
Location matters: Choose varieties based on your distance from the equator:
- Southern regions: Short-day varieties like “Texas Early Grano” or “Italian Red of Florence”
- Middle latitudes: Intermediate/day-neutral varieties
- Northern regions: Long-day varieties
Diversify your allium garden:
- Try shallots like “Zebrune” for gourmet flavors
- Plant “Flat of Italy” for unique, flattened bulbs
- Grow bunching onions like “White Lisbon” for continuous harvests
Planting technique: Start bulbing onions with 1-2 seeds per cell in seed trays. For bunching types, plant 6 or more seeds per cell to create a natural bunch.
Conclusion
April truly opens up a world of planting possibilities as soil warms and frost risks diminish. By selecting the right varieties and using these targeted planting techniques, you’ll set yourself up for a successful growing season with minimal pest problems and maximum harvests.
The most important takeaway? Timing and variety selection matter just as much as proper care. Match your plants to your specific growing conditions, and you’ll be rewarded with a thriving garden that produces abundantly all season long.
