Zone 6 Gardening

What to Plant in April in Zone 6

By Parvez Akhtar Pasha | Mar 24, 2026

April in Zone 6 is when plants start growing properly again, and this is the time many gardeners wait for.

Actually, my uncle has been gardening in Zone 6 for years, and he understands very well how this month behaves.
So, I just keep asking him questions like, "What should I plant now?" or "Is it the right time yet?

According to him, April may look easy, but you still need to stay a bit careful. In Zone 6, the average last frost is usually between April 10 and 30, and that's exactly why you should plant the right crops at the right time.

So in this guide, I will show you what to plant in April in Zone 6 and how to grow them the right way, based on what I learned from him.

Leafy Greens

If you want quick results and zero stress, leafy greens will be the best choice for you in April.

My uncle always says, If someone plans to grow just one type of plant in April, he/ she should go for leafy greens.

Leafy Green	Planting Method	Transplanting Time (days after sowing)	First Harvest	Variety Recommendations
Lettuce (leaf, romaine, butterhead)	Direct sow or transplant	20–30 days	30–50 days	Buttercrunch, Black Seeded Simpson, Little Gem
Spinach	Direct sow	Not needed	30–40 days	Bloomsdale, Space, Tyee
Arugula	Direct sow	Not needed	25–35 days	Astro, Rocket
Swiss Chard	Direct sow or transplant	20–25 days	50–60 days	Bright Lights, Fordhook Giant
Kale	Direct sow or transplant	25–30 days	45–60 days	Lacinato, Red Russian, Winterbor
Mustard Greens	Direct sow	Not needed	30–40 days	Southern Giant, Red Giant
Collard Greens	Direct sow or transplant	25–30 days	55–75 days	Georgia Southern, Champion
Bok Choy	Direct sow	Not needed	30–45 days	Joi Choi, Baby Choi

If you are transplanting seedlings, only do it when they look strong and healthy. I always wait until they have about 2–3 proper leaves, otherwise they struggle after transplant.

Always water your plants in the morning, not at night. Wet leaves left overnight can cause fungal problems.

Also, keep an eye on the weather. If nights suddenly get very cold (close to freezing), just cover your plants with a light cloth to keep them safe.

I've seen this question many times on social media — people keep asking what soil is best for starting seeds.
So, to clear that confusion, I've created a simple guide on Best Soil for Starting Seedlings. You can check it out if you're interested.

Vegetables to Plant in Zone 6 in April

According to many experienced gardeners, now the soil in Zone 6 is finally perfect, and this is when most vegetables start growing their best.

Vegetable	Planting Method	Transplanting Time	First Harvest	Variety Recommendations
Carrots	Direct sow	Not recommended	60–75 days	Nantes, Danvers, Imperator
Beets	Direct sow	Not needed	50–60 days	Detroit Dark Red, Chioggia
Radishes	Direct sow	Not needed	20–30 days	Cherry Belle, French Breakfast
Turnips	Direct sow	Not needed	40–60 days	Purple Top White Globe, Tokyo Cross
Peas	Direct sow	Not needed	55–70 days	Sugar Snap, Green Arrow
Potatoes	Plant seed potatoes	Not needed	80–100 days	Yukon Gold, Red Pontiac, Kennebec
Onions (sets)	Plant sets	Not needed	90–110 days	Yellow Stuttgarter, Red Burgundy
Broccoli	Transplant	25–35 days	60–90 days	Calabrese, Green Magic
Cabbage	Transplant	25–35 days	70–100 days	Golden Acre, Copenhagen Market
Cauliflower	Transplant	25–35 days	70–90 days	Snowball, Amazing

If your soil doesn't feel rich enough, mix a little compost into your soil; it makes the soil better and helps plants grow well.

If you feel confused about which fertilizer to use and how often, don't worry, I've created a simple guide on fertilizers that explains everything in an easy way.
You can check it here: Best Homemade Organic Fertilizers and Compost.

Fruits & Berries to Plant in April in Zone 6

Fruit/Berry	Planting Method	First Harvest	Variety Recommendations	Plant Height
Strawberries	Plant bare-root crowns in well-drained soil	Late spring	Earliglow, Albion, Honeoye	6–12 inches
Blueberries	Plant nursery-grown shrubs in acidic soil	Year 2–3	Bluecrop, Patriot, Duke	4–6 feet
Raspberries	Plant dormant canes in rows with support	Summer	Heritage, Caroline	4–6 feet
Blackberries	Plant dormant canes with trellis support	Year 2	Chester, Triple Crown	5–8 feet
Apple Trees	Plant bare-root trees in deep, fertile soil	2–4 years	Honeycrisp, Fuji	10–20 feet
Pear Trees	Plant bare-root trees in well-drained soil	2–4 years	Bartlett, Anjou	10–20 feet

Blueberries need acidic soil. If the soil is not acidic enough, they won't grow well, no matter what you do.

Actually, blueberries need a very specific type of fertilizer to grow properly. I've explained it in a simple way here: Best Fertilizers For Blueberries. You can check it out.

Herbs to Plant in April

April is a great time to start herbs, but here's the truth most guides don't say clearly:

Not all herbs behave the same in cool soil.

Some herbs grow well in April weather, but a few need slightly warmer soil. If you plant them the right way, they grow faster and give better results.

These are some herbs you can grow this April in Zone 6.

Herb	Planting Method	First Harvest	Flavour	Variety Recommendations
Parsley	Direct sow or transplant	70 days	Fresh, slightly peppery	Italian Flat Leaf, Curled
Cilantro	Direct sow	40 days	Citrusy, bright	Santo, Slow Bolt
Chives	Plant clumps or sow	60 days	Mild onion-like	Common, Garlic Chives
Dill	Direct sow	40–60 days	Light, slightly tangy	Bouquet, Fernleaf
Thyme	Start indoors or transplant	60 days	Earthy, slightly minty	English Thyme, Lemon Thyme
Oregano	Start indoors or transplant	60 days	Strong, warm, slightly bitter	Greek Oregano, Italian
Mint	Plant divisions	60 days	Cool, refreshing, sweet	Spearmint, Peppermint

Cilantro and dill grow best if you plant them directly in soil. Don't move them later.

Basil grows well only when the soil feels warm. So, wait until late April before planting it.

Flowers to Plant in Zone 6

Flower Name	Planting Method	Transplanting Time (Days After Sowing)	First Bloom	Perennial or Annual	Flower Color
Pansies	Transplant	30–40 days	Spring	Annual	Purple, Yellow, White
Violas	Transplant	30–40 days	Spring	Annual	Purple, Blue, Yellow
Snapdragons	Transplant	35–45 days	Late spring	Annual	Pink, Red, Yellow, White
Calendula	Direct sow	Not needed	45–60 days	Annual	Orange, Yellow
Sweet Peas	Direct sow	Not needed	Late spring	Annual	Pink, Purple, White
Dianthus	Transplant or sow	30–40 days	Late spring	Perennial	Pink, Red, White
Alyssum	Direct sow	Not needed	45 days	Annual	White, Purple
Coreopsis	Direct sow	Not needed	Summer	Perennial	Yellow, Red

Sunlight is very important for most of the flowering plants. If your flowers don't get at least 6 hours of sunlight, don't expect good blooms.

So, try to plant your flowers in a spot where they get full sunlight for most of the day.

Parvez Akhtar Pasha

Hi, I am Parvez Akhtar Pasha. I was in school when I first saw a plant grow from a seed. Over the years, I have gained a lot of experience in gardening, and I will gradually share it with you here.