I’ll admit it – I get a touch of garden envy scrolling through social media in April, watching you lucky zone 7-8 gardeners already digging in your sun-warmed soil. While I’m still checking frost forecasts and babying seedlings on windowsills, you’re out there planting tomatoes and watching your pea vines climb. Must be nice, right?

But you’ve truly hit the sweet spot in April. Your days are dancing between 55-75°F, and even your nights stay comfortably above 40-50°F. By this point, your last frost is already a memory from early to mid-March, which means you’re fully into the growing season while some of us are still marking days off the calendar until it’s safe to plant outdoors.

Your soil has already crossed that magical 50°F threshold, opening up a whole world of planting possibilities that make me just a bit jealous. While I’m still limited to cold frames and row covers, you’re direct-sowing everything from tender beans to cucumbers. And don’t get me started on your extended growing season – the luxury of succession planting and multiple harvests! You can actually experiment with different varieties because you have the time to let things fail and try again.

But I suppose every garden zone has its challenges. While I’m envying your April plantings, you’ll be battling summer heat while my garden is hitting its stride. That’s the thing about gardening – there’s always something to learn from other zones, even if we can’t exactly replicate their timing.

So here you are in April, straddling two seasons – harvesting the last of your spring crops while your summer garden takes root. You’re tucking squash seeds into warm soil and pulling up the final crisp radishes before the real heat sets in. Meanwhile, I’ll keep planning and dreaming, knowing my time will come soon enough!

Direct Sowing in April

Warm-Season Vegetables

Beans
Beans thrive in warm soil and can be direct sown throughout April. Provide trellises for pole beans at planting time.

• Best Varieties: ‘Blue Lake’ (classic green bean), ‘Kentucky Wonder’ (reliable pole bean), ‘Royal Burgundy’ (purple bush bean), ‘Dragon’s Tongue’ (unique heirloom).

Corn
Corn is best planted in blocks rather than rows to ensure proper pollination. Warmer temperatures in April promote strong germination.

• Best Varieties: ‘Silver Queen’ (sweet white corn), ‘Golden Bantam’ (heirloom favorite), ‘Peaches and Cream’ (bi-color hybrid), ‘Glass Gem’ (stunning ornamental and popcorn variety).

Cucumbers
Quick to mature and highly productive, cucumbers need warm soil to germinate. Consider succession planting every few weeks for continuous harvest.

• Best Varieties: ‘Marketmore’ (disease-resistant slicer), ‘Boston Pickling’ (ideal for pickles), ‘Lemon’ (mild, round yellow cucumbers), ‘Armenian’ (heat-tolerant, non-bitter).

Squash & Zucchini
Squash grows rapidly in warm temperatures. April is ideal for direct sowing both summer and winter varieties.

• Best Varieties: ‘Black Beauty’ (classic zucchini), ‘Pattypan’ (scalloped summer squash), ‘Butternut’ (sweet winter squash), ‘Spaghetti’ (low-carb pasta alternative).

Melons
Melons require warm soil and plenty of space to spread. April planting ensures a mid-to-late summer harvest.

• Best Varieties: ‘Sugar Baby’ (small watermelon), ‘Hale’s Best’ (cantaloupe), ‘Crimson Sweet’ (juicy red watermelon), ‘Tigger’ (fragrant heirloom melon).

Cool-Season Vegetables (Final Plantings)

Carrots
While April is late for cool-season crops in Zones 7-8, you can still plant carrots early in the month for a late spring harvest.

• Best Varieties: ‘Nantes’ (sweet and crisp), ‘Danvers’ (great for storage), ‘Little Finger’ (ideal for containers), ‘Purple Haze’ (striking color).

Lutz Green Leaf

Beets
Beets can still be planted in early April, but will need extra watering as temperatures rise.

• Best Varieties: ‘Detroit Dark Red’ (classic and reliable), ‘Golden’ (mild and non-staining), ‘Chioggia’ (candy-striped heirloom), ‘Bull’s Blood’ (dual-purpose for greens and roots).

Swiss Chard
Swiss chard thrives in mild temperatures and can handle some heat, making it a great transitional crop.

• Best Varieties: ‘Bright Lights’ (multi-colored stems), ‘Fordhook Giant’ (large, dark green leaves), ‘Ruby Red’ (deep red stems), ‘Perpetual’ (compact variety).

Indoor Seed Starting for Late Spring Transplants

If you haven’t already started these heat-loving plants indoors, early April is your last opportunity before transplanting in May:

• Okra (Start 4-6 weeks before transplanting)
• Peppers (Start 6-8 weeks before transplanting)
• Eggplant (Start 6-8 weeks before transplanting)
• Basil (Start 4-6 weeks before transplanting)

April Garden Tasks for Zones 7-8

Soil Preparation

• Add compost and organic matter to planting areas.
• Mulch around early plantings to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Ensure proper drainage to avoid root rot during spring rains.

Protection Plans

• Keep row covers available for unexpected cold snaps.
• Use shade cloths to protect cool-season crops as temperatures rise.
• Monitor soil moisture to prevent early drought stress.

Garden Maintenance

• Begin regular pest monitoring, as warmer temperatures bring aphids and beetles.
• Install trellises and plant supports for climbing crops.
• Prune fruit trees and berry bushes as they begin active growth.
• Fertilize perennials and fruiting crops as they wake up from dormancy.

April in Zones 7-8 is all about momentum—moving from spring into the heat of summer. With an extended growing season and mild spring temperatures, now is the time to plant both warm-season crops and any last cool-weather vegetables before summer takes over. Whether you’re growing your tried-and-true favorites or testing out new varieties, April sets the stage for a productive and delicious growing season.

What’s on your planting list this April? Are you experimenting with any new varieties? Drop a comment below and share your spring gardening plans!