April Garden Checklist for Zone 5b

Early April Tasks:

1. Indoor Seedling Care 
   
   • Give seedlings plenty of light – a sunny window or simple shop light works well
   • Gently brush your hand over them daily to strengthen stems
   • Start hardening off plants when they’re 3-4 inches tall (about 7-10 days before transplanting) 
     
     • Day 1-2: Outside for 2-3 hours in a sheltered spot
     • Day 3-4: Outside for 4-5 hours with some direct sun
     • Day 5-7: Outside all day, bring in at night
     • Day 8+: Leave out overnight if no frost predicted

2. Direct Sowing (Mid-April): 
   
   • Plant these as soon as soil can be worked: 
     
     • Beets
     • Swiss Chard
     • Carrots
     • More lettuce (plant every 2 weeks for continuous harvest)
     • Kale
     • Turnips

3. Frost Protection Tips: 
   
   • Keep these items handy for unexpected frost: 
     
     • Old bed sheets
     • Plastic milk jugs (cut bottom off to cover small plants)
     • Cardboard boxes
     • Row cover fabric (if budget allows)

Late April Tasks (After Last Frost Risk):

1. Transplanting 
   
   • Move hardened-off seedlings to garden: 
     
     • Cabbage family (broccoli, cauliflower)
     • Early tomatoes (protect from late frosts)
     • Herbs
   • Plant 2-3 seedlings closer than recommended – you can thin later if all survive

2. Garden Maintenance: 
   
   • Mulch around plants with grass clippings or straw
   • Pull weeds while they’re small
   • Water deeply but infrequently to encourage strong roots

Money-Saving Tips for April:

• Make plant markers from old milk jugs
• Create mini greenhouses from clear plastic containers
• Use crushed eggshells around tomatoes for calcium
• Save coffee grounds for acid-loving plants

Time-Saving Tips:

• Spend 15 minutes each morning on garden tasks
• Involve kids in watering and watching for sprouts
• Keep tools in a bucket near the garden
• Multitask: pull weeds while checking on seedlings. I focus on one zone of the garden at a time.

What to Plant in Late April:

1. Second Round of Indoor Seeds: 
   
   • Summer squash
   • Cucumbers
   • Melons
   • Late tomatoes
   • Herbs

2. Direct Sow When Soil Warms: 
   
   • Early beans
   • Sunflowers
   • Nasturtiums (edible flowers that deter pests)

Special Notes:

• If a hard frost is predicted, prioritize protecting tomatoes and peppers
• Don’t worry if some seeds don’t sprout – every gardener loses plants
• Keep your garden journal updated with planting dates
• Take photos of your progress – it’s encouraging to look back!