Here is a gardener’s to-do list for April, 2026, tailored to each region of the United States.

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Here is a gardener’s to-do list for April, 2026, tailored to each region of the United States.

Here is a gardener’s to-do list for April, 2026, tailored to each region of the United States. April is the crescendo of spring—when the garden bursts into bloom, soil warms beneath your fingers, and every seed sown feels like a promise. There’s plenty to do, but oh, what joy it brings!

Northeast

🌱 Direct Sow: Peas, carrots, radishes, spinach, lettuce, beets.
🌿 Transplant: Harden off and plant brassicas (cabbage, kale, broccoli).
✂️ Prune Early Bloomers: Forsythia, witch hazel, and flowering quince—right after bloom fades.
🌷 Enjoy the Bulbs: Deadhead daffodils and tulips, but leave foliage to ripen.
🌳 Fertilize Trees and Shrubs: Use slow-release fertilizer early in the month.

Midwest

🥬 Sow Cool Crops: Lettuce, peas, spinach, onions, and potatoes can go in as soon as soil is workable.
🪴 Start Warm Crops Indoors: Tomatoes, peppers, and melons.
🌸 Plant Spring Annuals: Pansies, violas, and snapdragons can handle cool nights.
🧹 Clean Beds: Remove winter mulch, cut back perennials, and amend with compost.
✂️ Prune Shrubs: Shape roses and dead wood from perennials.

Southeast

🍅 Transplant Warm Crops: Tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash—frost danger is past.
🌸 Deadhead Spring Flowers: Encourage more blooms on petunias, pansies, and snapdragons.
🐞 Scout for Pests: Whiteflies, aphids, and hornworms are stirring—stay vigilant.
🌴 Mulch Now: Refresh mulch to conserve moisture before heat sets in.
🧄 Harvest Spring Garlic Greens: Use tender garlic shoots before bulbs mature.

Southwest

🥒 Plant Heat Lovers: Corn, okra, squash, cucumbers, beans.
🌵 Water Cactus and Succulents: Begin light irrigation as temps rise.
🪻 Add Summer Color: Zinnias, cosmos, portulaca, and marigolds thrive now.
🧹 Clean Up Spring Bulbs: Let foliage die back naturally.
🌞 Shade Young Seedlings: Use row cover or shade cloth for tender transplants.

Pacific Northwest

🥦 Plant Cool Veggies: Broccoli, kale, lettuce, and potatoes can go in now.
🌧️ Check Drainage: April can be soggy—make sure young plants aren’t drowning.
✂️ Cut Back: Ornamental grasses and late-pruned perennials.
🌼 Sow Flowers: Direct sow hardy annuals like larkspur, calendula, and nigella.
🍓 Fertilize Strawberries: Encourage strong growth before fruit sets.

Mountain West

🧤 Start Early: In lower elevations, sow peas, lettuce, radishes, and chard.
🌱 Start Indoors: Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers if nights are still freezing.
🌾 Add Mulch: Conserve moisture and protect new seedlings from temperature swings.
✂️ Prune Dead Wood: Clear out frost-damaged branches and stems.
🧪 Amend Soil: Work in compost or well-rotted manure as you prep beds.

California

🍅 Transplant Warm Veggies: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, and eggplant are ready.
🌸 Plant Summer Annuals: Zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, and nasturtiums.
✂️ Prune Spring Bloomers: Ceanothus, lilac, and flowering shrubs right after bloom.
🌾 Harvest Spring Greens: Lettuce, spinach, and chard are at their peak.
💧 Check Irrigation: Ensure drip systems are working as weather warms.

April is the month the garden throws open her arms. Whether you’re planting, pruning, or simply pausing to watch bees tumble through blossoms, it’s a holy season for the hands and heart. Sow wisely. Tend carefully. And revel in the riot of green.

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Tuesday, March 31, 2026