7 Vegetables You Should Plant in April for a Fast, Flavorful Harvest

Carrots

Carrots need to be sown directly into the soil—doing so in April gives them ample time to establish themselves before temperatures really start to heat up in the summer.

"Raised beds or containers with sandy compost work well," says Luah Ghafari, creator of Urban Farm and Kitchen. "Thin seedlings to 2 to 3 inches apart once they're a few inches tall."

Overall, cooler soils in April will help carrots germinate, notes Carrie Spoonemore, co-founder of Seed to Spoon. At the end of the day, it's about starting these vegetables early, before sweltering summer temps set in.

• Zones: 3 to 10
• Size: 12 inches tall and deep x 9 inches wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
• Time to harvest: About 70 to 80 days

Lettuce

Get your greens! Lettuce "tends to bolt in heat, so spring sowing is perfect," says Ghafari. You can grow this vegetable in containers, but loose-leaf varieties can squeeze into all kinds of spaces in your garden as well. The main thing to keep an eye out for with lettuce is slugs and snails.

You can extend the growing season for these plants as well, notes Spoonemore. Heat-tolerant varieties like Jericho and Park Seed can thrive even when temperatures start to warm in the summer.

• Zones: 2 to 11
• Size: 6 inches tall x 12 inches wide
• Care requirements: Full to partial sun; rich, well-drained soil
• Time to harvest: 4 to 6 weeks for baby greens

Peas

Peas won't do well in the summer heat, so April sowing is a great option.

"Plant them in double rows 2 inches apart and provide support—like twiggy sticks, netting, or a trellis—as vines can reach 2 to 5 feet depending on variety," says Ghafari. Peas don't need much fertilizing, but he recommends protecting them from mice, who love to eat the seeds.

• Zones: 3 to 11
• Size: Vine varieties can grow up to 5 feet tall, bush varieties can grow 2 to 3 feet tall
• Care requirements: Full sun, keep soil moist, and provide support
• Time to harvest: 60 days

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes need a long growing season, so planting them in April when the soil starts to warm gives them an important head start.

"They don't need much, but they do need warmth and space," says Angela Judd, master gardener and founder of Growing in the Garden. "Don't overdo it with nitrogen, or you can end up with lots of leaves and not as many potatoes."

• Zones: 8 to 11
• Size: 12 inches tall x 3 to 6 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; sandy, well-draining soil
• Time to harvest: 90 to 120 days, depending on variety

Peppers

If you live in a climate that's warmer in April, then now is a great time to plant peppers. "They like warm soils and warm nights," says Judd. "Water them consistently, mulch around the base, and be patient. They often seem to sit there for a while before they really start growing."

Larger plants may need some support—she recommends harvesting them often so they continue to produce.

• Zones: 5 to 11
• Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil
• Time to harvest: 70 to 90 days

Spinach

Similar to lettuce, spinach needs cold weather before it bolts in the summer. "It's fast-growing and one of the most nutritious things you can grow at home," says Ghafari. "Any sunny or partially shaded spot with moisture-retentive soil works well."

You can grow spinach in containers or raised beds. He recommends sowing directly, or starting it indoors and transplanting with 2-inch spacing.

• Zones: 2 to 9
• Size: 8 to 12 inches tall x 5 inches wide
• Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil
• Time to harvest: 40 to 45 days

Swiss Chard

Vegetables grown in April should be adaptable, as temperatures can still be unpredictable during this time of year. That's why Swiss chard is perfect: "It handles cool weather well but continues producing as temperatures warm," says Spoonemore.

She recommends watering it regularly and harvesting the outer leaves so it continues producing.

• Zones: 6 to 10
• Size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; fertile, slightly acidic, well-draining soil
• Time to harvest: 50 to 60 days (sooner for baby greens)