April signals the heart of spring planting season, when soil temperatures rise and gardening opportunities expand dramatically. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced gardener, certain plants thrive when started in this pivotal month—offering both beauty and abundant harvests with minimal effort.
From space-saving solutions to low-maintenance options, here’s why these April-friendly plants deserve a spot in your garden this month.
1. You Can Finally Tame Persnickety Cilantro
Cilantro has earned its challenging reputation because it bolts (goes to seed) quickly when temperatures rise. April is the perfect time to master this essential herb.
Why it works: Planting cilantro in April gives it time to establish before summer heat triggers flowering. Choose “Slow Bolt” varieties specifically bred to resist premature bolting.
Pro tip: Cilantro seeds are actually housed inside a hard outer shell. Speed germination by gently rolling seeds between your fingers to crack this shell, allowing water to penetrate faster. This simple technique can cut germination time from 15 days to under a week.
For continuous harvests, succession plant cilantro every 3-4 weeks in soil that’s 55-65°F. Direct sowing is ideal since cilantro develops a taproot that doesn’t love transplanting.
2. You Can Add Dramatic Height With Hollyhocks
While everyone thinks of sunflowers for garden height, hollyhocks provide stunning vertical interest with abundant blooms on stems that can reach 6+ feet tall.
Why they’re special: Hollyhocks create dramatic backdrops and focal points with relatively little garden space. They’re perfect for blank walls, fences, or anywhere needing vertical interest.
Variety matters:
- “Outhouse Blend” – Historically planted to hide outhouses, these are reliably tall with classic blooms
- “Chatters Double Blend” – Features fluffy, double blooms in multiple colors
- “Indian Spring” – Annual variety that flowers in the first year (most hollyhocks are biennial, flowering in their second year)
Germination secret: Hollyhocks need light to germinate. Place seeds on pre-moistened soil surface and gently press down without covering completely. For stubborn seeds, top with vermiculite which retains moisture while allowing light through.
3. You Can Grow a Triple-Threat Plant: Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a versatile grass that serves as an ornamental, culinary, and medicinal addition to any garden.
Why it’s exceptional: Lemongrass offers multiple benefits in one plant:
- Beautiful, tropical-looking ornamental grass
- Culinary ingredient used in many Asian dishes (use the thick base stalks)
- Medicinal tea ingredient that aids digestion (use the wispy top leaves)
- Natural mosquito repellent for outdoor spaces
Growing tip: Skip seed starting challenges by purchasing small starter plants from garden centers. While lemongrass needs consistent moisture when establishing, it becomes surprisingly drought-resistant once established. Consider container growing to control its size (it gets large) and bring indoors in colder climates.
4. You Can Grow Space-Saving Pumpkins and Winter Squash
April is perfect for starting pumpkins and winter squash that will mature in time for fall harvests.
Why timing works: Starting pumpkins in April allows them to establish before summer heat intensifies, especially in southern regions where early heat can stress young plants.
Space-saving solution: Try compact varieties like “Honey Baby” winter squash with its semi-dwarf habit. These compact varieties stay contained rather than running throughout your garden.
For challenging growing conditions, select regionally-adapted varieties like “Seminole Pumpkin” in hot, humid climates, which offers excellent resistance to heat and humidity.
5. You Can Master the World of Cucumbers
April soil temperatures create ideal conditions for cucumber success, with variety selection being the key to success.
Why it matters: Different cucumber varieties serve different purposes, from container growing to pickling. April planting gives them perfect timing to establish before summer production.
Choose the right type:
- “Quick Snack” – Perfect for beginners and small spaces; compact and self-pollinating (parthenocarpic), meaning it doesn’t need bees
- “Hocus” – Ideal for pickling with small 1-3 inch fruits, needs trellising
- “Telegraph Improved” – Classic 18-inch English cucumber that’s been reliable since the 1800s
Planting secret: Direct sowing works best for cucumbers when soil temperatures permit. Research shows direct-sown cucumbers often catch up to transplants and establish better root systems with less transplant shock.
6. You Can Maximize Vertical Space with Pole Beans
As soil temperatures reach 60-65°F in April, it’s the perfect time to plant pole beans—one of the most space-efficient vegetables you can grow.
Why they’re superior: Pole beans can produce 2-3 times the harvest of bush beans in the same ground space by growing vertically. Many varieties reach 6-10 feet tall while taking up minimal ground space.
Variety recommendations:
- “Scarlet Runner” – Attracts pollinators with beautiful red flowers
- “Blue Lake FM-1K” – Reliable, productive heirloom variety
- “Kentucky Wonder” – Classic variety that can be eaten fresh or dried
Space-saving strategy: Plant pole beans near existing garden structures like tomato cages, fence posts, or garden corners. They need straight supports to twine around (not netting), making them perfect companions for established garden structures.
7. You Can Create a Pollinator Paradise with Sunflowers
April is ideal for starting sunflowers that will create dramatic impact while supporting garden ecosystems.
Why they’re essential: Beyond their beauty, sunflowers attract beneficial insects that improve pollination throughout your entire garden. Their height also makes them perfect focal points.
Best varieties:
- Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia) – Butterfly magnet with velvety orange blooms
- Mammoth – Classic giant that creates drama and produces edible seeds
- “Vanilla Ice” – Branching variety that produces multiple smaller blooms per plant
Protection strategy: Start sunflowers indoors if slugs are an issue in your garden. These seedlings are particularly attractive to slugs when direct sown, so giving them a head start indoors improves success rates dramatically.
8. You Can Grow Space-Saving Summer Squash
April is perfect for starting summer squash varieties that won’t take over your garden.
Why variety matters: The right summer squash varieties solve common problems like oversized plants, painful spines, and excessive production.
Problem-solving varieties:
- Tromboncino – Technically a winter squash eaten young, it grows vertically on trellises with complex flavor
- Chiffon – Early, compact yellow squash that stays dense rather than sprawling
- Emerald Delight – Compact, open habit with fewer spines and more disease resistance
Growing tip: Work compost into planting areas before sowing, as squash thrives in rich organic matter. Plant two seeds per mound, spaced 1-2 inches apart. For space-saving, train squash vertically on sturdy stakes.
9. You Can Grow the Right Onions for Your Region
April is ideal for starting onions appropriate to your latitude.
Why geography matters: Onions are photoperiod sensitive—they respond to day length, not just temperature. Planting the wrong type for your region results in small or failed bulbs.
Regional selection guide:
- 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 planting: Mix bulbing onions, bunching types, and shallots for continuous harvests. For bunching onions, plant 6-8 seeds per cell to create natural bunches.
10. You Can Grow Bitter Melon as a Heat-Tolerant Alternative
As spring transitions to summer, April is perfect for direct seeding bitter melon, especially in areas where cool-season crops are finishing.
Why it’s worth trying: Bitter melon thrives in the heat that makes other crops struggle, offering a productive alternative for summer garden spaces.
Growing technique: Direct seed bitter melon about twice as deep as the seed size, spacing plants 24 inches apart to give them room to vine. Provide adequate water during establishment, after which they become relatively low-maintenance.
Use trellises or supports similar to those used for peas or cucumbers to maximize space efficiency and keep fruits off the ground.
Conclusion
April truly opens the door to garden abundance, offering the perfect conditions for plants that will provide beauty, flavor, and productivity throughout the growing season ahead.
By selecting these strategic April plantings, you’ll create a garden that maximizes vertical space, minimizes maintenance, and produces continuous harvests through summer and into fall. The key is choosing the right varieties and providing proper support structures for climbing plants.
Whether you’re working with limited space or expanding your garden horizons, these April-friendly plants create the foundation for a garden that will reward you for months to come.
H/T: EG