USDA Zone 6 · Temperate — classic 4-season climate
Zone 6 April Planting Guide
April in USDA Zone 6 brings frost-free days closer but overnight freezes are still possible, so strategic planting is key. Focus on cold-tolerant crops and get warm-season seedlings started indoors to hit the ground running come May.
🌱 Plant now
Lettuce
Direct sow in beds now; lettuce thrives in cool temps and light frosts won't hurt young transplants.
Peas
Get seeds in the ground ASAP — peas need cool soil and will struggle once summer heat arrives.
Spinach
Sow directly outdoors; spinach germinates in cool soil and bolts in heat, so plant early and harvest fast.
Broccoli
Set out transplants started indoors 6–8 weeks ago; harden off first and protect if temps dip below 28°F.
Onion Sets
Plant sets 1 inch deep now for full-sized bulbs by midsummer; they handle light frost without issue.
🚫 Avoid this month
Tomatoes
Soil is still too cold and frost risk remains; transplanting now stunts growth and risks cold damage.
Basil
Basil is extremely frost-sensitive and sulks in cool soil — wait until after your last frost date (mid-May).
Cucumbers
Cucumbers demand warm soil (65°F+) to germinate and grow; planting in April leads to poor stands and rot.
🐛 Pest alert
Aphids and cabbage loopers begin appearing in April as temps warm, targeting brassicas like broccoli and kale. Inspect the undersides of leaves weekly and knock off aphid colonies with a strong water spray; apply row cover over brassicas to block early cabbage moth egg-laying before populations explode.
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