April zone 7

Bed 1							Bed 2
1  ft.			1 ft.				1 ft.	1 ft.
Kale						1	Kale
Spinach						2	Spinach
Peas				Swiss Chard		3	Swiss Chard	Peas
						4
				Maxibel Harcoit		5	Tatsoi
						6	Kohl rabi
Bed 3							Bed 4
Scarlet Runner Beans						1	Kohlrabi	Peas
						2	Tatsoi
Henderson Limas						3	Red Mustard
						4
Radishes and Beets				Lettuce		5 Trellis	Lettuce	Radish and Carrots
						6 Trellis

Overview

In zone 7, plant the warm-season crops in April: beans, cucumbers, eggplants, okra, peppers, squash and tomatoes. 

What does the Windowsill look like in April?

Sweet Bell Peppers, Eggplant, Tomato, Lettuces, and Kohlrabi seedlings are continuing to grow.

What do the garden beds look like in April?

Start Off- Direct Sow

Direct sow Henderson Lima Beans in sections 3 and 4 of bed 3.

Direct sow Cylindra Beets in with the radishes in 1/2 rows 5 and 6 of bed 3.

Continue to succession sow (16) Radish, Cherry Belle and/or (16) Radish, White Icicle in 1/2 of rows 5 and 6 of beds 3 and 4.

Direct sow (8) Beans, Scarlet Runner in sections 1 and 2 of  Bed 3.

Direct sow Swiss Chard.

Start Off- Transplant

Transplant (8) Marvel of Four Seasons Lettuce into Bed one, section 2, and

(4) Lettuce, Freckles Romaine and (4) Lettuce, Little Gem Butterhead in half of sections 5 and 6 of beds 3 and 4.

Transplant (2) Bean, Maxibel Haricot Green into 1/2 of sections 5 and 6 of bed 1 on April 30.

Transplant Swiss Chard.

Grow On

Continue to grow, harvest and replant (16) Radish, Cherry Belle and/or (16) Radish, White Icicle in Bed 4, section 6;

American and Bloomsdale Spinach and Viroflay Spinach.

Oregon Giant Peas

Direct sow (16) Mustard, Tatsoi 

Direct sow Mustard, Red Giant

Harvest

Harvest (8) Kale, Blue Curled Scotch  and (4) Kale, Red Russian  

Harvest Bloomsdale Spinach

April 3, 2023

Henderson Dwarf Bush Lima Beans

Indoor Sow

There are two types of lima beans: bush and pole or vine varieties. Bush types grow to about 2 feet tall  and tend to have smaller seeds but they bear more quickly than pole lima bean varieties. Pole lima beans can grow 10 to 12 feet high. The Henderson lima bean is an heirloom bush bean that loves hot weather and grows compactly, about 18 to 20 inches tall. Henderson’s traditional white seeds mature quickly, within 60 to 70 days. Each pod produces 3 or more seeds. Often Henderson is used in succession planting because it grows quickly and finishes its life cycle during temperature seasons. 

Start lima beans indoors as early as 2 to 3 weeks before the average last frost date in spring for transplanting into the garden.

Cylindra Beets

Direct Sow

Beets have large seeds and germinate reliably directly in the garden bed. Around 4-6 hours before sowing, soak your beet seeds in warm water. Each seed is actually a cluster of several seeds and will produce more than one seedling, so sow sparingly, allowing about ½ inch between seeds. Leave about 6 inches between rows to avoid overcrowding. Cover them with about ½ of soil and water well. Water every two days and thin them once they germinate.

April 17, 2023

Predicted Last Frost Date for Zone 7

Blue Curly Leaf Kale and Red Russian Kale

Transplant your seedlings from indoors after the danger of frost has passed. Kale seeds can also be sown in the garden. Kale grows to an impressive size and needs to be given plenty of space to reach its full potential. Once seedlings are hardened off, mark out four planting holes about 1 foot apart. The holes should be the depth and size of the planting pot, and then a little extra room for adding compost to the bottom of the hole. Firmly pack the soil around the seedling and water well.

April 19, 2023

American, Bloomsdale and Viroflay Spinach

Harvest

Time to begin harvesting Bloomsdale Spinach.

Yo Lo Wonder Sweet Bell Peppers

Transplant

Once the danger of frost has passed and your soil temperature is at least 65°F, transplant your peppers every 18-24 inches apart. Peppers are thirsty plants. You may have to water daily. Never let pepper plants dry out. Be sure to water at the base, not the leaves so roots get a drink and to help prevent disease.

Mortgage Lifter, Cherokee Purple and Purple Bumblebee TomatoesWhen the second set of leaves emerge, transplant tomato seedlings into individual pots; bury the stems up to the lowest set of leaves to make sure your tomatoes grow strong roots.

Scarlet Runner Beans

Scarlet Runner Bean plants are pole lima beans that have striking scarlet flowers and grow bright purple or deep red beans inside light green pods. They’re also fast-growing and produce mature seeds within 70 days. Scarlet Runner Beans are tender plants as they are native to the mountains of Mexico and Central America, but you can get a head start by sowing seeds indoors a few weeks before transplanting in the garden so you can control the warmth of their environment. Fill your seed trays with soil and without compacting it, press the seed about ¾ of an inch into the soil. Cover with additional good quality soil. Water thoroughly and place in a warm sunny area.

Keep your frost tender Scarlet Runner Beans inside until a couple weeks after your last frost date. Don’t forget to harden them off before transplanting.

April 30, 2023

Dwarf French Green Beans

Sow Indoors

Dwarf beans are quick to grow, but only crop for a few weeks, so make repeat sowings for a summer-long supply. For an early crop, sow indoors in late April to early May. Sow seeds in a pot that will allow you about a half inch of sides above the level of the soil so that they can be transplanted with minimal root disturbance. Push seeds about 2 inches below the surface and water thoroughly and place on a warm, sunny windowsill to germinate. They will grow fast in warm, bright conditions and need watering regularly.

Blue Curly Leaf Kale and Red Russian Kale

At last your kale is ready to harvest. Pick a few leaves at a time from each of your 8 plants.