April garden tasks: Southeast
April in the Southeast is full warm-season mode in zone 8--9, and late transplanting time in zone 7b. By April 1, most of zone 8 is past last frost. Tomatoes planted in mid-March are flowering. The urgency in April shifts from "get things in the ground" to "monitor and maintain" -- the growing.
April in the Southeast is full warm-season mode in zone 8—9, and late transplanting time in zone 7b. By April 1, most of zone 8 is past last frost. Tomatoes planted in mid-March are flowering. The urgency in April shifts from "get things in the ground" to "monitor and maintain" — the growing season is moving fast.
Per Clemson HGIC, average last frost dates for reference: Raleigh NC March 24, Charlotte March 21, Columbia SC March 16, Atlanta March 13. By April 1 in zones 8—9, the frost risk is effectively zero.
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Warm-season vegetable tasks
Zone 7b (last frost ~March 20—25): Per NC State Extension, April 1—15 is the ideal window to transplant tomatoes and peppers in piedmont North Carolina and similar zone 7b locations. Soil temperature should reach 60°F for optimal root establishment.
Zone 8+ (last frost March 1—15): Per Clemson HGIC, in April the priority is succession planting for summer production:
- Second planting of beans: direct sow April 1—15 for harvest in June (stagger sowings every 2 weeks)
- Second squash and cucumber planting: set out transplants or direct seed for a July—August harvest
- Southern peas (cowpeas, black-eyed peas): plant from mid-April when soil is warm (65°F+); a true warm-season crop, not available until April in zone 8
- Sweet potato slips: plant late April through May when soil reaches 65°F