GreenlyWhat to plant in April in Ireland
Worked out for 14 cities from their own weather and frost dates, by zone.
What to sow and plant in April in Ireland, by zone: frost-free, highs of 10–16 °C (Galway, Limerick and 8 more): broad bean, peas, onion, spinach, lettuce and 20 more; frost possible, highs of 10–16 °C (Dublin, Cork and 2 more): broad bean, peas, onion, spinach, lettuce and 20 more.
In Ireland, April is spring.
Frost-free, highs of 10–16 °C: Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Athlone and 6 more
In April, on average, these cities have highs of 12 to 13 °C and lows of 4 to 6 °C, 66 to 87 mm of rain on 13 to 16 days; the day lasts 13 h 53 min to 14 h 05 min (on the 15th).
No frost in April in 10 years of data: frost-tender crops can go in too, if it is warm enough for them.
| How | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| sow direct | Broad bean, peas, spinach, lettuce, radish, carrot, cabbage, broccoli, Swiss chard, beet, arugula, chamomile, daikon, dill, kale, mustard greens, parsnip, turnip | all |
| plant sets | Onion, shallot | all |
| start indoors, plant out in May | Cauliflower, kohlrabi | all |
| start indoors, plant out in June | Leek, parsley, Brussels sprouts | all |
| start indoors, plant out in May | Chicory | Letterkenny |
The same as in March.
Not starting in April: tomato (no month outdoors by these rules), bell pepper (no month outdoors by these rules), zucchini (June, sown direct) and green beans (June, sown direct) — dates for Mullingar.
Ready to harvest in April in Mullingar, if sown in the right month: broad bean (January), peas (February), spinach (February), radish (March) and cabbage (December).
Frost possible, highs of 10–16 °C: Dublin, Cork, Kilkenny and Sligo
In April, on average, these cities have highs of 11 to 12 °C and lows of 4 to 5 °C, 72 to 92 mm of rain on 13 to 15 days; the day lasts 13 h 52 min to 14 h 01 min (on the 15th).
April falls in the frost season: frost-tender crops wait. Average last frost: Dublin (7 April), Cork (3 April), Kilkenny (7 April) and Sligo (8 April).
| How | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| sow direct | Broad bean, peas, spinach, lettuce, radish, carrot, cabbage, broccoli, Swiss chard, beet, arugula, chamomile, daikon, dill, kale, mustard greens, parsnip, turnip | all |
| plant sets | Onion, shallot | all |
| start indoors, plant out in May | Cauliflower, kohlrabi | all |
| start indoors, plant out in June | Leek, parsley, Brussels sprouts | all |
| start indoors, plant out in May | Chicory | Sligo |
Compared with March: new — carrot, daikon, dill, mustard greens, parsnip and shallot.
Not starting in April: tomato (no month outdoors by these rules), bell pepper (no month outdoors by these rules), zucchini (June, sown direct) and green beans (June, sown direct) — dates for Kilkenny.
Ready to harvest in April in Kilkenny, if sown in the right month: peas (February), spinach (February), radish (March) and cabbage (December).
How we work it out
For each city we use its average weather in April and the months after (highs, lows and rain for 2016–2025, ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo) and its average frost dates. A crop starts in April if the month's mean temperature reaches the minimum soil temperature for germination on its card (we use the mean air temperature as a stand-in for the soil's) and if, over its first months (up to three), the average highs stay within its group's range, with no frost for crops that cannot take it. Crops started indoors count from the month they are planted out.
Temperature groups from Colorado State University Extension: cool-season crops prefer 16–27 °C and lose quality in heat; hardy ones grow in days as cool as 4 °C, semi-hardy ones from 4–10 °C (we use 10 °C); warm-season crops need days above 13 °C, and the most tender (tomato, pepper, aubergine, melon, watermelon, squash) above 16 °C, up to 35 °C. Crops the guide does not name go into the stricter group by their frost hardiness. Broad beans, which the guide does not name, count as hardy: hardy varieties are sown in autumn and overwinter (RHS). Garlic and bulbs: a month before the first frost, and later only while the ground is not frozen (as on each city's page).
Courgettes and French beans: GIY Ireland sows courgettes and succession-sows French beans outdoors in June, so we list them in June wherever June has no frost.
This is a general rule from averages: your garden can be a week or two earlier or later, and a greenhouse or a cold frame brings the season forward. Greenly works out the dates for your location.
- Moon planting calendar for April 2027
- What to plant in April: all climates
- Gardening in Ireland: guide by region
Other months in Ireland
- What to plant in April in the Northeast and Midwest
- What to plant in April in the South
- What to plant in April in Texas
- What to plant in April in Florida
- What to plant in April in California
- What to plant in April in the Pacific Northwest
- What to plant in April in the Southwest
- What to plant in April in the Mountain West
- What to plant in April in Canada
- What to plant in April in the UK
