These tips are based on what’s happening in my Zone 5 garden in eastern Iowa. If you’re in a different region, adjust timing based on your local conditions.
April is when the garden really starts to wake up—and sometimes it all hits at once. One minute it feels like winter isn’t quite done, and the next it’s full speed ahead. If you’re wondering what to focus on right now, here’s a quick rundown to keep things moving in the right direction.
If you’re planning a vegetable garden this season, this is a great time to get the essentials in place. I pulled together a simple breakdown of what actually matters most—and there’s a free Grow Guide waiting for you there that you’ll turn to again and again each year.
👉 The full breakdown (plus the Grow Guide download you’ll come back to year after year) is right here.
🌱 As soon as you can work the soil, start planting seeds of fast-growing cool-season crops like peas, radishes, spinach, and lettuce.
🥦 It’s also time to plant transplants of cool-season veggies like broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. Seed potatoes can go in now too.
🍓 Get those edible perennials in—rhubarb, strawberries, raspberries, and asparagus all do well planted this time of year.
🌱 If you’re planning to use a crabgrass preventer or weed-and-feed, this is the season. These need to go down separately—and at the right times—to do their job. Paying attention to soil temps and what’s happening in your yard makes all the difference.
👉 If you want a simple breakdown of how and when to apply, I walk through it here.
🌳 Trees and shrubs can go in now as well—just make sure to keep them well-watered as they get established.
✂️ Cut back perennials from last season to make room for new growth—but if you can, hold off a bit longer in some areas to support overwintering pollinators. A good rule of thumb is to wait until temperatures are consistently around 50°F before doing a full cleanup. If your garden is starting to feel a little out of control, it’s perfectly fine to tidy up in stages.
👉 If you’re trying to support pollinators, this will help.
❄️ A quick note
April can still throw us a curveball or two, so keep an eye on the weather and don’t be afraid to adjust as needed. Around here, we know a late frost is always a possibility, so it’s best not to get too far ahead of the season—no matter how tempting those warm days are.
