What to Plant in April in Washington State

April is when the garden starts to wake up—but here in Washington, it does so slowly.

One day feels like spring.

The next reminds you winter isn’t quite done.

If you’ve found yourself standing in a garden center, holding a plant and wondering “is it too early for this?”—you’re not alone.

This guide will help you choose what actually works right now.

Quick Answer (April in Washington)

Direct sow outdoors:

• Carrots

• Beets

• Spinach

• Lettuce

• Peas

• Radishes

Transplant outdoors:

• Kale

• Chard

• Broccoli

• Cabbage

Start indoors:

• Tomatoes

• Peppers

• Basil

Wait a little longer:

• Cucumbers

• Squash

• Beans

What April Is Like in Washington

April sits right in the middle of the transition.

• The soil is starting to warm

• The days are getting longer

• The rain… is still very much here

And frost?

Still possible.

The easiest way to think about April is this:

Cool-season plants thrive. Warm-season plants wait.

What You Can Plant Outdoors Right Now

These are your April heroes—plants that don’t mind cool soil and a bit of unpredictability.

Direct Sow (Seeds straight into the soil)

• Carrots

• Beets

• Spinach

• Lettuce

• Radishes

• Peas

These seeds are built for this moment.

They’ll germinate happily while the soil is still cool and the air still carries a bit of winter.

Transplants (Garden center starts)

• Kale

• Chard

• Broccoli

• Cabbage

If it looks leafy, sturdy, and a little unfazed by the weather—it’s probably ready.

💡 A simple rule:

If you’d happily stand outside in a light jacket, these plants probably would too.

Flowers That Love April

If you’re after a bit of color (and honestly, who isn’t by April), these are easy wins:

• Nasturtiums

• Calendula

• Sweet peas

• Cosmos (toward the end of April)

These don’t ask for much.

They just get on with it—and reward you quickly.

What to Start Indoors

April is when you prepare for summer.

• Tomatoes

• Peppers

• Basil

These plants love warmth.

And while April might look like spring, the soil still isn’t warm enough for them outside.

Starting them indoors now means they’ll be ready at just the right time.

What Not to Plant Yet

This is where many gardeners go wrong—because the garden center is full of temptation.

Hold off on:

• Cucumbers

• Squash

• Beans

They need warm soil and settled weather.

If a plant loves heat, April is too early.

Planting them now often leads to slow growth, stress, or failure—and it’s not your fault.

Going to the Garden Center This Week?

April is peak “I’ll just see what catches my eye” season.

A few gentle tips:

Look for:

• “Cold hardy” labels

• Leafy greens

• Early spring crops

Be cautious of:

• Large tomato plants sitting outside

• Anything labeled for “summer heat”

• Tender plants that look a bit too perfect

Just because it’s for sale doesn’t mean it’s time.

A Simple April Light Check

Before you plant anything, take one quiet day to notice the light.

• 10am → Where is the sun?

• 2pm → What’s now in shade?

• 6pm → What still gets light?

April light can be surprisingly soft and shifting.

This one small habit will help you more than almost anything else.

What to Watch Out For in April

A few familiar visitors return this month:

• Slugs

• Too much water (thanks, rain)

• The occasional cold snap

Keep an eye on new seedlings—they’re the most vulnerable.

March vs April (A Simple Shift)

April doesn’t replace March—it builds on it.

Want to See the Whole Year?

If you’re starting to get the rhythm of it:

👉 Explore the full PNW Garden Calendar to see what to plant each month.

It helps take the guesswork out of everything.

A Gentle Reminder

April isn’t about planting everything.

It’s about planting the right things, at the right time.

Start small.

Choose a few plants that suit the season.

Let the garden grow with you.

It always does.