April Growing Guide: What to Grow in April (Zones 9+)

What to Grow in April

Spring into Planting Season with April’s Garden To-Do List
April in Zones 9+ is full of life and energy. With warming soil, longer days, and fewer cold snaps, it's go-time for planting fruit trees, herbs, and warm-weather crops. The key to success? Start strong while the weather is still mild!

🍑 Fruiting Trees & Vines

Plant now: Fig, Loquat, Banana, Dragon Fruit, Passionfruit, Starfruit
Tip: April is the sweet spot before the real heat hits. Keep newly planted trees watered well and mulch around the base to lock in moisture and suppress weeds.

🌸 Flowering & Pollinator Plants

Direct sow: Zinnias, Sunflowers, Marigolds, Cosmos
Transplant: Milkweed, Coral Honeysuckle, Pigeon Pea
Tip: Pollinator plants bring the bees and butterflies that boost fruit yields later—get them in now!

🌿 Medicinal & Culinary Herbs

Plant now: Lemongrass, African Blue Basil, Wormwood, Epazote, Cuban Oregano
Tip: April herbs establish fast—use rich, well-draining soil and harvest lightly to encourage branching.

🥬 Spring Greens & Tropicals

Plant now: Chaya, Okinawa Spinach, Sissoo Spinach, Malabar Spinach
Tip: Most tropical leafy greens thrive in part-shade and bounce back quickly after harvesting. Start them early for season-long harvests.

🪴 Food Forest Builders

Get layering:

Canopy: Mulberry, Moringa
Understory: Guava, Surinam Cherry
Shrubs & Groundcovers: Longevity Spinach, Mimosa Groundcover
Vines: Corky Stem Passionfruit, Butterfly Pea

Tip: Use April to add diversity and build ecosystem resilience—plant nitrogen fixers and mulch-producing plants alongside edibles.

🌱 April Gardening Tips:

Start composting: Kitchen scraps + garden cuttings = black gold by summer.
Fertilize now: Use organic granular or slow-release blends as plants leaf out.
Watch the weather: Some areas may still get surprise cold snaps. Keep row covers or frost cloth handy.
Transplant in the evening: Reduces shock and gives plants a cooler night to settle in.
Prune wisely: Shape trees for airflow and remove any lingering frost-damaged leaves.