What to Plant in April in Florida (North, Central & South)

April is one of the trickiest gardening months in Florida because the state is so different from north to south.

In North Florida, many gardeners are still squeezing in cool-season crops while beginning to plant warm-weather vegetables. In Central Florida, April is a transition month.

In South Florida, summer-loving crops are already taking over.

The key is planting for your region instead of using generic advice that may only apply to another part of the state.

For this guide:

• North Florida = north of State Road 40

• Central Florida = between State Roads 40 and 70

• South Florida = south of State Road 70

  
  

North Florida: What to Plant in April

North Florida gardeners can still plant a few cool-season vegetables early in the month, but April is mostly the time to start warm-season crops.

Vegetables to Plant

Direct sow:

• Bush beans

• Pole beans

• Corn

• Cucumbers

• Cantaloupe

• Watermelon

• Okra

• Southern peas

• Summer squash

• Winter squash

• Peanuts

  
  

Transplant:

• Tomatoes

• Peppers

• Eggplant

• Tomatillos

• Sweet potatoes

• Seminole pumpkin

  
  

If you still want cool-season vegetables, early April might be your last chance for:

• Carrots

• Radishes

• Turnips

• Bunching onions

  
  

Herbs to Plant

• Basil

• Dill

• Oregano

• Rosemary

• Parsley

• Chives

  
  

Flowers to Plant

• Zinnias

• Marigolds

• Sunflowers

• Cosmos

• Salvia

• Pentas

  
  
  

  

  

Fruit to Plant

• Blueberries

• Blackberries

• Muscadine grapes

• Fig trees

  
  

Central Florida: What to Plant in April

Central Florida is firmly moving into warm-weather gardening by April. Heat-loving vegetables and herbs do best now.

Vegetables to Plant

Direct sow:

• Bush beans

• Lima beans

• Pole beans

• Corn

• Cucumbers

• Okra

• Southern peas

• Watermelon

• Cantaloupe

• Summer squash

• Winter squash

• Sweet corn

  
  

Transplant:

• Tomatoes

• Peppers

• Eggplant

• Sweet potatoes

• Seminole pumpkin

• Malabar spinach

• Roselle

  
  

You can still plant small amounts of:

• Swiss chard

• Chinese cabbage

• Kale

But they may struggle as temperatures rise.

Herbs to Plant

• Basil

• Lemongrass

• Mint

• Oregano

• Rosemary

• Mexican tarragon

  
  

Flowers to Plant

• Pentas

• Vinca

• Zinnias

• Marigolds

• Crossandra

• Firebush

• Tropical sage

  
  

Fruit to Plant

• Banana

• Pineapple

• Barbados cherry

• Loquat

• Papaya

  
  

South Florida: What to Plant in April

In South Florida, April is already beginning to feel like summer. Cool-season crops are mostly finished, and this is the best time to plant vegetables and herbs that thrive in heat and humidity.

Vegetables to Plant

Direct sow:

• Bush beans

• Pole beans

• Lima beans

• Okra

• Southern peas

• Corn

• Cucumbers

• Watermelon

• Cantaloupe

• Calabaza

• Chayote

• Long squash

• Luffa

  
  

Transplant:

• Sweet potatoes

• Seminole pumpkin

• Malabar spinach

• Roselle

• Tropical spinach

• Papaya

  
  

‼️ If you already have tomatoes and peppers planted, keep them going as long as possible, but April is usually too late to start new ones in South Florida because the coming heat and humidity make them struggle. 🍅

Herbs to Plant

• Basil

• Lemongrass

• Mexican tarragon

• Mint

• Oregano

• Rosemary

  
  

Flowers and Native Plants to Plant

• Firebush

• Tropical sage

• Milkweed

• Coontie

• Muhly grass

• Tickseed

• Pentas

• Zinnias

  
  

Fruit to Plant

• Mango

• Avocado

• Papaya

• Banana

• Starfruit

• Sapodilla

  
  

What Not to Plant in April

One of the biggest mistakes Florida gardeners make is planting vegetables that are already too late for their region.

By April, it is usually too late for:

• Broccoli

• Cauliflower

• Lettuce

• Spinach

• Peas

  
  

In North Florida, you may still get a small harvest if planted early in the month. In Central and South Florida, these crops usually decline quickly once temperatures rise.

Quick Tips for April Gardening in Florida

1. Mulch early to help keep the soil cooler and hold moisture.

2. Water deeply but not every day.

3. Prepare for pests like aphids, caterpillars, whiteflies, and hornworms as temperatures rise.

4. Plant before the middle of the month if possible, especially in South Florida.

5. Choose varieties recommended for Florida whenever possible.