April Fools Plant in April!
It all begins with an idea.
Those first warm days of April are pure magic. Tulips and daffodils poke through the soil, many already blooming. Dogwoods, pears, and magnolias start to shower the neighborhood in soft color, a stark contrast against the greys and browns of winter’s grip, announcing spring’s arrival with a whisper and a flourish. It’s tempting, you want to plant everything, right now.
But if you’ve ever lost a tomato start or a blue sage to an April cold snap, you’re not alone. Every year, someone gets fooled. In fact, they’ve joined a time-honored tradition of April Fools who plant too soon.
At Oak & Canyon, we love an eager gardener. But in Colorado, April is trickster season: sunny one minute, snowing the next. Before you plant, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Know Your Zone:
Denver sits in USDA Zone 5b–6a, which means our average last frost is around May 5–15. That’s your real green light for tender veggies and annuals.
Cool Crops Can Handle It
Some plants actually like the chill. Think:
Kale
Spinach
Peas
Radishes
Pansies and violas (for a splash of early color)
These hardy options can go in the ground in early April—but give them mulch, cover, or a little TLC when temperatures dip.
Be Ready to Cover Up
If you just have to plant early, have a plan. Old bedsheets, frost cloth, and overturned buckets can be lifesavers when the forecast surprises you.
Our Advice? Plant Plans, Not Plants
April is a perfect time to:
Prep your beds, clean up the yard of sticks, pine needles, and the rest of winter’s debris
Amend your soil, add mulch and think about aerating lawns
Inspect sprinkler and drip systems and begin planning maintenance and improvements
Dream big with new planting plans!
Let us know if you want help creating a custom spring-to-fall layout—especially with native, low-water plants that thrive here in Denver.
Don’t be the April Fool.
Plant smart. Plan with Oak & Canyon.
Ready to clean up and plan ahead?