Month by month · Oregon · Washington · Idaho

April in the garden

Busy and changeable. West-side cool crops go out in force; the eastern valleys catch up; the high desert can still see hard frost.

What to plant in April

How much can go in across the five climate regions. Your region's row is highlighted once you pick a town.

Region	Plant outside	Start indoors
Coast	81 plants	12 plants
West-side valleys	81 plants	11 plants
East-side valleys	81 plants	8 plants
Inland Northwest	81 plants	12 plants
High desert	46 plants, from Apr 28	15 plants

All 95 plants and their April dates, by region

Plant	Coast	West-side valleys	East-side valleys	Inland Northwest	High desert
Peas	Plant Mar 25 – May 6	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 12	Plant Mar 20 – May 1	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 9
Radishes	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Spinach	Plant Mar 25 – Apr 29	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 5	Plant Mar 20 – Apr 24	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 2
Lettuce	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Onions	Plant Mar 25 – Apr 29	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 5	Plant Mar 20 – Apr 24	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 2
Carrots	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	—
Beets	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	—
Kale	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	Start indoors Mar 31 – Apr 14
Broccoli	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Mar 15 – Apr 19	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Apr 15 – May 20	Start indoors Mar 24 – Apr 7
Cabbage	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Mar 15 – Apr 19	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Apr 15 – May 20	Start indoors Mar 24 – Apr 7
Swiss chard	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	—
Potatoes	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	—
Cucumbers	Start indoors Apr 22–29	Start indoors Apr 17–24	Start indoors Apr 3–10	Start indoors Apr 22–29	—
Zucchini and summer squash	Start indoors Apr 22–29	Start indoors Apr 17–24	Start indoors Apr 3–10	Start indoors Apr 22–29	—
Winter squash	Start indoors Apr 22–29	Start indoors Apr 17–24	Start indoors Apr 3–10	Start indoors Apr 22–29	—
Tomatoes	Start indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8	Start indoors Mar 20 – Apr 3	—	Start indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8	Start indoors Apr 14–28
Peppers	Start indoors Mar 23 – Apr 6	—	—	Start indoors Mar 21 – Apr 4	Start indoors Apr 7–21
Basil	Start indoors Apr 20 – May 4	Start indoors Apr 13–27	Start indoors Mar 29 – Apr 12	Start indoors Apr 18 – May 2	—
Cilantro	Plant Mar 25 – May 13	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 19	Plant Mar 20 – May 8	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 16
Parsley	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Mar 15 – May 3	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 3	—
Dill	Plant Apr 1 – Jun 3	Plant Mar 15 – May 17	Plant Apr 1 – Jun 3	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 17	—
Strawberries	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	—
Blueberries	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Mar 15 – May 3	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 3	—
Raspberries	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	—
Cauliflower	Plant Apr 1–29	Plant Mar 15 – Apr 12	Plant Apr 1–29	Plant Apr 15 – May 13	Start indoors Mar 24 – Apr 7
Brussels sprouts	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	—
Leeks	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	—
Arugula	Plant Mar 25 – May 6	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 12	Plant Mar 20 – May 1	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 9
Bok choy	Plant Mar 25 – Apr 29	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 5	Plant Mar 20 – Apr 24	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Start indoors Mar 24 – Apr 7 Plant Apr 28 – Jun 2
Turnips	Plant Mar 25 – May 6	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 12	Plant Mar 20 – May 1	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 9
Kohlrabi	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	Start indoors Mar 31 – Apr 14
Eggplant	Start indoors Mar 23 – Apr 6	—	—	Start indoors Mar 21 – Apr 4	Start indoors Apr 7–21
Melons	—	Start indoors Apr 27 – May 4	Start indoors Apr 12–19	—	—
Fava beans	Plant Mar 25 – Apr 29	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 5	Plant Mar 20 – Apr 24	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 2
Asparagus	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	—
Rhubarb	Plant Mar 25 – May 6	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 12	Plant Mar 20 – May 1	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 9
Chives	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	—
Mint	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	—
Rosemary	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Mar 15 – May 3	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 3	—
Thyme	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	—
Oregano	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	—
Sweet peas	Plant Mar 25 – Apr 29	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 5	Plant Mar 20 – Apr 24	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 2
Apple trees	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Pear trees	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Plum trees	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Cherry trees	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Fig trees	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	—
Peach trees	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Hazelnut trees	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Blackberries	Plant Mar 25 – May 13	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 19	Plant Mar 20 – May 8	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 16
Grapes	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Hardy kiwi	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Mar 15 – May 3	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 3	—
Artichokes	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	—
Huckleberries	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Oregon grape	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Red-flowering currant	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Serviceberry	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Lavender	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	—
Tomatillos	Start indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8	Start indoors Mar 20 – Apr 3	—	Start indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8	Start indoors Apr 14–28
Collards	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	Start indoors Mar 31 – Apr 14
Parsnips	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	—
Celery	—	—	—	—	Start indoors Mar 31 – Apr 14
Ground cherries	Start indoors Apr 1–15	Start indoors Mar 27 – Apr 10	—	Start indoors Apr 1–15	Start indoors Apr 21 – May 5
Pumpkins	Start indoors Apr 22–29	Start indoors Apr 17–24	Start indoors Apr 3–10	Start indoors Apr 22–29	—
Honeyberries	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Currants	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Gooseberries	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Elderberries	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Mustard greens	Plant Mar 25 – May 6	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 12	Plant Mar 20 – May 1	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 9
Mâche	Plant Mar 25 – Apr 29	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 5	Plant Mar 20 – Apr 24	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 2
Radicchio	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Mar 15 – Apr 19	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Apr 15 – May 20	Start indoors Mar 31 – Apr 14
Sorrel	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Horseradish	Plant Mar 25 – May 6	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 12	Plant Mar 20 – May 1	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 9
Sage	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	—
Lemon balm	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	—
Tarragon	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Mar 15 – May 10	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10	—
Cosmos	Start indoors Apr 3–17	Start indoors Mar 29 – Apr 12	Start indoors Mar 22 – Apr 5	Start indoors Apr 3–17	—
Marigolds	Start indoors Apr 8–22	Start indoors Apr 3–17	Start indoors Mar 20 – Apr 3	Start indoors Apr 8–22	Start indoors Apr 28 – May 12
Calendula	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Mar 15 – May 3	Plant Apr 1 – May 20	Plant Apr 15 – Jun 3	—
Ranunculus	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Mar 15 – Apr 19	Plant Apr 1 – May 6	Plant Apr 15 – May 20	—
Snapdragons	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26	Plant Apr 1 – May 13	Plant Apr 15 – May 27	—
Persimmon trees	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Asian pear trees	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Quince trees	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Mulberry trees	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Thimbleberry	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Salmonberry	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Salal	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Kinnikinnick	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Western columbine	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Douglas aster	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Oregon sunshine	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Pacific ninebark	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Sword fern	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23
Oregon iris	Plant Mar 25 – May 20	Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26	Plant Mar 20 – May 15	Plant Apr 1 – May 27	Plant Apr 28 – Jun 23

Dates are for one typical town in each region: Astoria, Portland, Pendleton, Spokane and Bend and Redmond. Plant now shows your own town's dates.

April jobs

Plant and sow

Set out broccoli, cabbage, kale and lettuce starts. West-side valleys
Sow carrots, beets, chard and more lettuce and radishes every couple of weeks.
Sow peas, spinach and radishes and plant potatoes. East-side valleys
Sow peas, radishes, lettuce and spinach late in the month. High desert and Inland Northwest
Plant potatoes and onion sets. Coast

Start indoors

Start tomatoes and peppers now if you haven't. High desert and Inland Northwest
Start cucumbers, squash and melons indoors three to four weeks before planting out.
Pot tomato seedlings up into bigger containers so they don't stall.

Harvest

Radishes, spinach and the first lettuce thinnings. West-side valleys
Asparagus spears from beds three or more years old.
Rhubarb stalks.

Garden care

Keep row cover handy. Late frosts are common even after your typical last frost date.
Harden off seedlings with a few hours outdoors each day, longer as the week goes on.
Thin seedlings once they have true leaves, so the rest have room.
Set up drip lines or soaker hoses before plants get big.

Pests and problems

Keep after slugs; they love new transplants. West-side valleys
Cover carrot beds with insect netting from sowing on to keep carrot rust fly out.
Watch for flea beetle holes on arugula, radishes and young brassicas.

Fruit, berries and flowers

Mulch strawberries and blueberries.
Plant dahlia tubers late in the month once the soil isn't cold and soggy. West-side valleys
Sow sweet peas outside early in the month. West-side valleys