After months of dormancy, your yard will start to come alive in April. It’s possible that you spent the month of March clearing out your garden, removing any fallen leaves or branches or completing any trimming tasks you missed in February. Now that it is gardening season, it’s important to think about what you want to plant in April.

It’s crucial to know your zone of agriculture and the date that your location is expected to have its last frost. You can find this information on the USDA plant hardiness zones map. Here are some beautiful flowers to plant in April if your area is not at risk of frost. You can grow flowers in April.

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1. Cruciferous Vegetables

Planting cruciferous plants in the spring will produce a harvest in the fall.

These dense plants will also survive the winter if you live in an area with warmer temperatures. You should start your plants indoors and then move them outdoors to a location that receives full sunlight.

Here are a few other cruciferous veggies to plant in April besides broccoli:

2. Dahlias

Dahlias are actually tubers, which means they grow similarly to how you might have seen a sprouting potato.

Brock Ingham, Bigger Gardens, says that April is the best time to plant dahlias. He describes them as having vibrant blooms and mesmerizing patterns.

Ingham suggests that you consider your planting zone because dahlias can be sensitive to frost.

He says that if you live in a colder climate, it is best to wait until April or May to plant your dahlias. In warmer climates, where the frost has already left earlier in the season, planting tubers in April is the best time to do so.

Dahlias can be planted early, but only after frost is a threat. This allows them to grow before summer’s heat.

3. Herbs

These leafy greens can be added to your vegetable garden to enhance the flavour of salads or meat.

If you plant herbs in April, you will have oregano and cilantro for your Italian dishes. Planting mint in April is another great idea, but be careful. Mint can quickly spread and take over entire gardens.

Here are some herbs you can plant in April.

4. Beets

April is the perfect time to plant underground veggies like carrots, onions, and radishes. It’s also a great time to grow tasty beets.

The Almanac recommends that you plant beets early in the spring. However, for a good harvest, they suggest planting them every two to three weeks until mid-summer. You can plant beets until early fall if you are a real fan.

5. Summer Bulbs

By the end of April, many regions in the United States have experienced their last spring frost. After this date, you can start planting summer-blooming bulbs.

You don’t want them to rot or stunt their growth if you plant too early.

You’re in luck if you like lilies. The National Gardening Bureau has chosen them as its bulb of the year 2024. Peggy Anne Montgomery, a horticulturist, also loves them.

She says, “These beauties add a touch of sophistication to any garden. They also have a long-lasting power in a vases. This makes them a must for your floral collection.”

If you have a way to protect bulbs from cold weather, you can plant bulbs up to two weeks before the last date of frost.

6. Lettuce

If you live in an area with hot summer temperatures, April is one of your last chances to plant lettuce.

It’s important to plant lettuce when it is cool. Lettuce bolts—or goes to seeds—when temperatures rise, so it must be planted when it is cool. Susan Brandt, an expert in plants at Blooming Secrets, says lettuce thrives in cooler temperatures and is more resistant to extreme heat. April is the best time to plant.

It’s easy to harvest lettuce from your garden within a few weeks. Brandt says, “You can start early and have crisp, fresh lettuce before summer heat hits.” You’ll also have a constant supply of lettuce from early spring until early summer.

7. Direct-sow cool-weather seeds

It’s better to wait a few days after the last frost before planting warm-weather flower seeds. However, it is best to sow seeds for cool-weather plants directly in April.

Ingham loves Bachelor’s buttons because they require little care. Once established, bachelor’sthey are drought-tolerant and pest-free. They make a great low-maintenance option for gardeners who want to add lasting colour.

These seeds will thrive with an early start in cooler weather:

Check out these quick-growing flowers to get more ideas about what you can plant in the spring.

8. Snow Peas or Snap Peas

Early April is the last chance to plant pea seeds. As long as the soil is cool, you can sow the seeds in the ground until the middle of April. Peas do not grow well in hot or warm temperatures.

When you plant your peas, remember that you will need a lot of plants to reap the benefits.

9. Pansies, Violas and other Violaceous Plants

It’s not too late to plant your pansies or violas in April, even though March is usually the best time to plant annuals for cool weather. You will spend lots of time with these plants until the temperatures rise.

Brandt says that pansies and violas will add colour and beauty to your garden. They are cool-weather plants that are easy to grow and have a long blooming season.

She recommends that you remove spent flowers in order to promote growth and choose mature plants rather than growing flowers from seeds this late in the year.

Fun fact: Pansies can be eaten. Use them as a garnish on cakes, or add them to salads to add a bit more colour and flavour.

10. Hardy Perennials

The little blooms of bleeding hearts are one of the darling sights in spring. They hang on until they fade away with the heat of early summer.

Hellebores make a great investment perennial that you can plant in April. You can spice up your spring gardens with a variety of different types that bloom until early summer. They’re slow-growing, but once they set their roots down, you can expect to see them in your garden for many years.