April garden tasks: Midwest
April is the month the Midwest garden comes to life. Forsythia blooms, red-winged blackbirds return, and the urge to plant everything at once is overwhelming. The discipline is knowing that the last frost hasn't passed yet in most of the region and that soil temperatures, not calendar dates,.
April is the month the Midwest garden comes to life. Forsythia blooms, red-winged blackbirds return, and the urge to plant everything at once is overwhelming. The discipline is knowing that the last frost hasn't passed yet in most of the region and that soil temperatures, not calendar dates, determine planting success.
Per UMN Extension, average last frost dates: Minneapolis May 7, Chicago April 22, St. Louis April 7, Indianapolis April 15, Columbus April 18.
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Cool-season vegetable planting (April, all zones)
Per University of Illinois Extension, these crops tolerate frost and can be planted in April across the Midwest:
Direct sow:
- Peas: April 1—15 in zone 6; April 15—30 in zone 5; May 1 in zone 4
- Spinach, lettuce, arugula: direct sow as soon as soil is workable (40°F minimum)
- Beets, Swiss chard: sow April 10+ in zone 6; April 20+ in zone 5
- Kale, turnips: sow April 1+ in zones 5—6
Transplant outdoors:
- Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower: transplant 4—6 weeks before last frost with floating row cover if frost threatens; April 1—15 in zone 6; April 15—30 in zone 5
- Onion transplants/sets: plant in April all zones