Ah, April in the Midwest! It's that magical time when the days grow longer and warmer, luring gardeners outside with promises of spring. But let's be real - our Midwest springs can be fickle friends. One day, it's sunny and 65°F; the next, you're scraping frost off your windshield. Actually, it could even happen on the same day, right?
The good news? Many wonderful plants actually thrive in these unpredictable conditions. Let me walk you through some perfect April plantings that can handle our temperature mood swings and get your garden off to a great start.
1. Pansies (Viola × wittrockiana)
Pansies are the brave little soldiers of the spring garden. These cold-tolerant annual flowers bring cheerful "faces" in vibrant colors to your early spring landscape when most other flowering plants are still hiding. They're remarkably tough, holding their blooms even when nighttime temperatures dip into the mid-20s°F. By planting pansies in April, you'll enjoy color well before it's safe to plant warm-season annuals.
Pansies: Care Tips
Plant pansies in spots with full sun to partial sun. They appreciate bright light in cool weather but will thank you for some afternoon shade as temperatures climb. They thrive in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Space these low-growers (6-9 inches tall) about 7 to 12 inches apart, and they'll spread to create a colorful groundcover. Water them regularly - consistent moisture keeps them blooming their best.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Remember, pansies prefer cool conditions - when the summer heat arrives, they'll fade, so enjoy their early-season beauty.
2. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)
Snapdragons are classic spring favorites that tolerate chilly weather beautifully. These elegant spikes of flowers come in a rainbow of colors and can be planted weeks before your last frost date. They're at their best when nights are in the low 40s°F and days in the 60s-70s°F, but can even withstand sub-freezing nights down to the upper 20s°F with minimal damage. Planting snapdragons in April ensures a long bloom season lasting into early summer.
Snapdragons: Care Tips
Choose a sunny location for the strongest bloom show, though snapdragons will also tolerate part shade. They perform best in rich, well-drained soil with a neutral pH around 6.2-7.0. Space them about 6 to 12 inches apart, depending on the variety's mature size. Keep them evenly watered, providing roughly 1 inch of water per week if rain is lacking.
Pinch back the tips of young plants after transplanting to encourage bushier growth and more flower spikes. As flowers fade, deadhead the spent blooms to extend the flowering season. These resilient annuals often rebound with a fresh flush of flowers in fall once cooler weather returns.
3. Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)
Sweet peas are vining annual flowers treasured for their delightful fragrance. These charming climbers thrive in the cool, mild conditions of spring and can be sown directly outdoors in April as soon as the soil is workable. They're surprisingly hardy, able to withstand light frosts and even temperatures down to the low 20s°F once hardened off. By planting early, you'll give them time to grow and bloom before summer heat causes them to fade.
Sweet Peas: Care Tips
Select a site with full sun or at least 6 hours of sunlight for best flowering. Sweet peas need support to climb, so install a trellis, netting, or bamboo canes at planting time. Sow seeds about 1/2 inch deep and 1 inch apart in fertile, well-drained soil, maintaining a spacing of roughly 6 inches between plants after thinning. Keep soil consistently moist - never let sweet peas dry out, especially during germination and early growth.
Once seedlings reach 4-6 inches tall, pinch the growing tips to encourage branching. Feed them with a balanced fertilizer every couple of weeks, as sweet peas are heavy feeders. For continuous blooms, pick flowers often - this prevents seed pod formation and encourages more flowering.
4. Peonies (Paeonia hybrids)
Peonies are beloved hardy perennials that thrive in Midwest climates and laugh off late frosts. While fall is traditionally ideal for planting bare-root peony divisions, container-grown peonies can be successfully planted in April as soon as the soil can be worked. These long-lived flowers emerge in early spring, tolerate frost on their foliage, and reward patient gardeners with decades of gorgeous blooms. Once established, a peony clump will become a stunning spring showpiece.
Peonies: Care Tips
Give peonies a spot in full sun (6-8 hours daily) for best flowering. In very hot areas, a little afternoon shade is acceptable. Plant them in deep, fertile, well-drained soil with a neutral pH around 7.0. Space plants about 3 feet apart, as they grow into substantial bushes about 3 feet tall and wide. When planting, take special care not to set them too deep - the eyes (buds) should be only 1-2 inches below the soil surface.
Peonies are pleasantly low-maintenance once established. They appreciate about an inch of water per week during the growing season but are fairly drought-tolerant. Consider using peony rings or staking to support the large, sometimes heavy blooms. After flowering, deadhead spent blooms so the plant directs energy back to its roots.
5. Garden Peas (Pisum sativum)
Garden peas are one of the first vegetables you can plant in the Midwest each year. Whether you're growing shelling peas, snap peas, or snow peas, these cool-season vegetables thrive in the damp, chilly weather of early spring. You can sow pea seeds as soon as the ground can be worked - they're unfazed by frost or even light snow. Pea seedlings tolerate frosty nights easily, and planting in April ensures they mature while the weather is still mild, before summer heat causes them to stop producing.
Garden Peas: Care Tips
Select a sunny spot for your pea patch - they'll grow in part shade but yield best in full sun. Prepare fertile, well-drained soil by working in compost or aged manure before planting. Sow peas 1 inch deep and about 2 inches apart in rows. Install a trellis or support for the vines to climb, which improves airflow and makes harvesting easier. Keep soil evenly moist during germination and as the peas grow. Once seedlings are a few inches tall, gently guide them toward your support; their tendrils will latch on by themselves.
Harvest regularly once the peas are ready - picking pods promptly encourages the plants to keep producing and gives you the sweetest peas.
6. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Lettuce and other salad greens are perfectly suited for April planting in the Midwest. This cool-season annual is quite hardy - it sprouts in soil as cool as the low 40s°F and grows vigorously in the 50-70°F range. Lettuce seedlings tolerate light frosts, and mature plants can handle dips below freezing with minimal damage. By planting lettuce in April, you'll enjoy fresh salads by May, since many varieties can be harvested just 4-6 weeks after sowing, well before summer heat causes lettuce to bolt.
Lettuce: Care Tips
Choose a location that receives full sun in spring (partial shade can prolong the harvest as temperatures rise). Prepare fertile, well-drained soil with good moisture retention, as lettuce grows quickly with shallow roots. Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep, either in rows spaced about 12 inches apart or broadcast in a bed. Thin plants to about 4 inches apart for leaf lettuce, or 8-12 inches for head types.
For an extended harvest, consider sowing a short row every 1-2 weeks through April and early May. The key to tender, tasty lettuce is consistent moisture - water regularly so the soil stays evenly moist but not sopping wet. Add mulch to conserve moisture and keep soil cool as temperatures rise.
7. Radishes (Raphanus sativus)
Radishes are one of the easiest and fastest vegetables for spring planting. These crisp, peppery roots are extremely cold-hardy - the seeds germinate in soil as cool as the low 40s°F, and young plants tolerate freezes with ease. You can sow radish seeds 4-6 weeks before your last frost date, and frost or even occasional snow flurries won't bother established plants. By seeding in April, you can even do multiple successions of radishes before hot weather makes them bolt or get pithy.
Radishes: Care Tips
Plant radishes in full sun for best root development, though they can handle part shade. Use loose, well-drained soil and remove any rocks or clods to allow the roots to expand smoothly. Sow seeds about 1/2-inch deep and roughly 1 inch apart in rows that are 6 inches apart. As seedlings sprout, thin them to about 2 inches apart so each root has space to enlarge. Keep soil evenly moist - uneven moisture can cause radishes to split or become spicier.
Because radishes grow so fast (many spring varieties mature in 3-5 weeks), they typically don't need additional fertilizer if planted in reasonably rich soil. Harvest as soon as they're of usable size - don't leave them in the ground too long, or they can get woody.
8. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)
Broccoli is a cool-season crop that handles the chill of April in the Midwest and should be planted early so it matures before summer heat. This hardy member of the cabbage family laughs at light frosts - young plants easily endure nights in the upper 20s°F. By planting broccoli in April, you give it the lengthy cool growing period it needs, resulting in big, tasty heads in late spring or early summer. Plus, broccoli continues to produce side shoots after the main head is cut, extending your harvest.
Broccoli: Care Tips
Choose a site with full sun (at least 6 hours daily) for broccoli. Prepare fertile soil that is moist yet well-drained and rich in organic matter, with a pH in the slightly acidic to neutral range. Set out broccoli transplants about 18-24 inches apart, in rows about 2.5-3 feet apart. Keep plants evenly watered - they grow best with consistent moisture, needing roughly 1-1.5 inches of water per week. Apply a starter fertilizer at transplant time and then side-dress with nitrogen once the plants are about half-grown for bigger heads.
Watch for cabbage worms (green caterpillars) that can chew broccoli leaves. Harvest the main head while the beads (flower buds) are still tight and before any yellow flowers open, then enjoy the smaller side-shoot heads that continue to develop.
9. Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
Lilacs are iconic spring-blooming shrubs, beloved for their lush clusters of fragrant purple (or white) flowers. These hardy shrubs are perfectly suited to April planting and actually prefer cold winters. You can plant lilac bushes as soon as the ground thaws - while fall is often cited as the best time, spring planting works very well in cold climates. Don't worry about frost on emerging lilac leaves or flower buds; these plants tolerate freezing temperatures with ease. By planting in April, you ensure your lilac has plenty of time to root in before the next winter.
Lilacs: Care Tips
Lilacs thrive in full sun - aim for at least 6 hours of direct sun each day for the best bloom production. Choose or prepare soil that is fertile, humus-rich, and well-drained with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. When planting, dig a generous hole at least twice the width of the root ball and mix some compost into the backfill soil. Space lilacs 5 to 15 feet apart depending on the variety's mature size - common lilacs can reach 8-12 feet tall and wide. Water the young shrub regularly in its first year, about 1 inch per week.
Be cautious with fertilizers - too much nitrogen can lead to lots of leafy growth and few flowers. The best time to prune lilacs is immediately after they finish blooming, as they form next year's flower buds on this year's growth.
10. Forsythia (Forsythia × intermedia)
Forsythia is that blazing-yellow shrub that often blooms even before winter is fully over. It's famous for being one of the earliest spring flowers, lighting up Midwestern yards in March or April. These shrubs are very hardy and "forgiving" - they adapt to almost any soil and handle frost with ease. An occasional hard freeze might shorten the bloom display, but the plant itself is never harmed. By planting in April, you can get your forsythia settled in for a spectacular display next spring.
Forsythia: Care Tips
For the showiest spring display, pick a spot with full sun if possible (6+ hours of sun). Forsythia isn't picky about soil - it tolerates clay, sandy soil, poor soil, even fairly dry soil - but performs best in loose, well-draining conditions. Plant at the same depth it was in its pot, spacing shrubs at least 6-8 feet from other plants or structures, as they can grow 8-10 feet tall and wide. Water regularly during the first year to help it establish itself, but after that, it likely won't need much supplemental water except in prolonged drought.
Fertilizer is usually unnecessary. The main maintenance task is pruning - do this right after flowering, as forsythia blooms on old wood. Remove 1/4 to 1/3 of the oldest stems at ground level each year to rejuvenate the shrub and keep it from getting too overgrown.
11. Koreanspice Viburnum (Viburnum carlesii)
Koreanspice viburnum is a medium-sized deciduous shrub treasured for its heavenly scented spring flowers. It's excellent for Midwest gardens because it's hardy (generally to Zone 4) and its early-to-mid-spring blooms tolerate typical April weather. This viburnum blooms a bit later than forsythia - usually late April into May - with pink buds opening to white snowball clusters that fill the air with a spicy-sweet fragrance. Spring is the ideal time to plant, giving the shrub a full season to establish roots before winter.
Koreanspice Viburnum: Care Tips
This viburnum grows well in full sun to partial shade, blooming more profusely in a sunnier spot. Provide moist, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. While not extremely fussy about soil type, it prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH. When planting, dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and incorporate some compost into the backfill. Space multiple plants about 4-6 feet apart. Water regularly during the first growing season, about once a week, deeply.
Mulch around the base to retain soil moisture, but keep mulch a few inches away from the stems. Pruning is usually minimal, as this viburnum has a naturally attractive shape. If needed, prune just after flowering to avoid removing next year's buds.
12. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
The Eastern Redbud is a small native tree that puts on a spectacular show of pinkish-purple blossoms in early spring. It's an excellent tree for Midwest landscapes and is commonly planted in spring. Redbuds awaken early - blooming on bare branches before the leaves emerge. They're quite cold-hardy and tolerant of late frosts. Because of this, planting a redbud in April is low-risk: the tree will still be mostly dormant or just starting to bud out, and it can easily handle fluctuating temperatures. Once planted, a redbud will reward you each spring with clouds of magenta-pink flowers.
Eastern Redbud: Care Tips
Redbuds do well in full sun to part shade, with full sun encouraging the most abundant flowering. Plant in well-drained soil - they do not like soggy spots but adapt to different soil types and pH levels. Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and of equal depth, keeping the top of the root ball level with the surrounding ground. Eastern Redbud typically grows 20-30 feet tall with a similar spread, so give it adequate space. Water your newly planted redbud deeply once a week during the first spring and summer, applying a 2-3 inch layer of mulch to conserve moisture.
Redbuds benefit from some pruning when young to establish a good branch structure, but as they mature, minimal pruning is needed - just remove dead or diseased limbs as they appear.
13. Apple Tree (Malus domestic)
Planting fruit trees, such as apple trees, is a quintessential spring task in the Midwest. Early spring (April) is considered an optimal time to plant apple trees, especially for bare-root stock. At this time, trees are still dormant or just barely waking up, making transplanting less stressful. Apple trees are hardy and have no problem with chilly April air - a newly planted apple will simply begin to leaf out as the weather warms. Getting apple trees in the ground in April gives them a full season to establish roots before next winter.
Apple Trees: Care Tips
Choose a sunny location for your apple tree - it needs full sun (at least 8 hours daily) for best fruiting. The spot should have good air circulation and well-drained soil with a pH in the range of 6.0 to 7.0. Clear any grass or weeds in at least a 4-foot diameter circle, as young apple trees don't like competing with turf. For grafted trees, ensure the graft union sits a few inches above the soil line when planted. Water is critical in the first year - provide about an inch of water weekly if rain is insufficient.
Mulch around the tree to keep soil moisture consistent and suppress weeds, keeping mulch a few inches away from the trunk. If your tree is on a dwarfing rootstock or very slender, stake it for the first year for support against winds. Remember that most apple varieties need a second variety nearby for cross-pollination to set fruit.
Your Midwest April Garden: Ready, Set, Grow!
April in the Midwest gives us the perfect opportunity to get a jump start on the growing season. From the cheerful faces of pansies to the promising branches of apple trees, there's something magical about planting plants as nature is reawakening. The beauty of these April-friendly plants is their resilience—they're the perfect partners for our unpredictable spring weather, standing strong through those inevitable late frosts while rewarding us with early color, fragrance, and eventually, harvests.