2026 Edition

Planting Calendar & Grower's Almanac

Traditional wisdom meets modern data. Plan your garden with frost dates, moon phases, and find what's fresh at farmers markets near you.

“Plant peppers when you see your first lightning bug”
— Traditional Grower's Wisdom

April 2026

This Month in the Garden

Plant Now

•Beets
•Carrots
•Radishes
•Broccoli transplants

Harvest

•Asparagus
•Rhubarb
•Spring greens
•Radishes

Garden Tasks

•Direct sow cool crops
•Transplant cole crops
•Mulch strawberries

2026 Frost Dates by Region

Know your frost dates to plan planting and extend your growing season.

northeast

Last Spring Frost:May 1-15

First Fall Frost:Sept 25-Oct 10

Growing Days:140+

southeast

Last Spring Frost:March 15-April 1

First Fall Frost:Oct 25-Nov 10

Growing Days:210+

midwest

Last Spring Frost:April 20-May 10

First Fall Frost:Sept 20-Oct 5

Growing Days:150+

southwest

Last Spring Frost:Feb 15-March 15

First Fall Frost:Nov 1-Dec 1

Growing Days:260+

west

Last Spring Frost:March 1-April 15

First Fall Frost:Oct 15-Nov 15

Growing Days:200+

Moon Phase Planting Guide

Traditional growers have planted by the moon for centuries. Here's the wisdom passed down through generations.

🌑→🌓

New Moon to First Quarter

Best for: Leafy greens, cabbage, lettuce, spinach, celery

Above-ground crops with seeds outside the fruit

🌓→🌕

First Quarter to Full Moon

Best for: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, peas

Above-ground crops with seeds inside the fruit

🌕→🌗

Full Moon to Last Quarter

Best for: Root crops: carrots, beets, potatoes, onions

Below-ground crops benefit from decreasing light

🌗→🌑

Last Quarter to New Moon

Best for: Rest period - no planting

Cultivate, weed, prune, harvest, and turn compost

2026 Month-by-Month Planting Guide

January

Plant: Seed catalogs, Indoor herbs

Harvest: Storage crops, Winter greens

February

Plant: Onion sets indoors, Peppers (indoors)

Harvest: Winter squash, Root vegetables

March

Plant: Peas, Spinach

Harvest: Early greens, Overwintered crops

April

Now

Plant: Beets, Carrots

Harvest: Asparagus, Rhubarb

May

Plant: Tomatoes, Peppers

Harvest: Strawberries, Peas

June

Plant: Succession lettuce, Beans (2nd planting)

Harvest: Garlic scapes, Early tomatoes

July

Plant: Fall carrots, Beets

Harvest: Tomatoes, Peppers

August

Plant: Fall lettuce, Spinach

Harvest: Peak tomatoes, Peppers

September

Plant: Garlic, Cover crops

Harvest: Winter squash, Pumpkins

October

Plant: Garlic (north), Cover crops

Harvest: Late tomatoes, Root vegetables

November

Plant: Cover crops (south), Garlic (south)

Harvest: Brussels sprouts, Kale

December

Plant: Plan next year, Indoor herbs

Harvest: Storage crops, Winter greens (south)

What's Fresh at Markets Right Now

Not growing your own? Find these spring favorites at farmers markets near you.

🌿 Asparagus

🧅 Ramps

🫛 Peas

🥬 Spinach

🔴 Radishes

Gear for Gardeners

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Essential tools for growing and harvesting your own produce

Rocklin Garden Apron

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(43)

$29.89View

Brown Wicker Harvest Basket

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$118.00View

Gorilla Carts Collapsible Garden Cart

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$64.52View

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