Fast vegetables for people who can’t wait – plant these 7 crops in April for a speedy summer harvest
They say patience is a virtue, but not for these fast-growing crops!
If you’re anything like me, patience probably isn’t your strongest trait... particularly when it comes to gardening. I know, I know; there’s something deeply satisfying about sowing seeds and watching them grow – but waiting months for a harvest? It sometimes feels impossible.
The good news is, if you time things right (and depending on your USDA Planting Zone), April is the perfect moment to plant a handful of fast-growing vegetables that will reward you in just a few short weeks.
Yes, whether you’re working with raised beds, containers, or a small garden border, there’s plenty you can grow now and enjoy before summer even begins. The key is choosing the right varieties. So, with that in mind...
Article continues below7 Fast Vegetables to Sow in April
As the soil begins to warm and daylight hours stretch out, it's time to turn your attention to the quiet overachievers of the vegetable patch.
While crops like tomatoes and peppers need a longer growing season, leafy greens and quick-rooting vegetables can be ready to pick in as little as three to four weeks. And for gardeners in USDA Zones 5–9, that means planting in April can genuinely lead to harvests by May or early June. (In cooler regions, you may be looking at slightly later harvests, while warmer zones might see results even sooner).
If you’re after big homegrown flavor in no time flat (or as close to it as possible), then these are the vegetables to sow now.
1. Arugula
Ready in 20–30 days, arugula is one of the quickest crops you can grow. Even better? You can start snipping the baby leaves from these peppery salad staples in just a few weeks, and it will keep producing if you harvest regularly. Pick yourself up a packet of arugula seeds, then, and get sowing.
2. Lettuce
History buffs will know already that Catherine of Aragon made salad trendy after she married Henry VIII, and demanded specialized gardeners to grow lettuce for her. Little wonder; loose-leaf lettuce varieties are ideal for impatient gardeners (and queens) as they can be ready between 25-45 days. Rather than waiting for full heads, you can harvest young leaves early and often. Try Burpee Buttercrunch Lettuce Seeds and see for yourself.
3. Radish
If you want near-instant results, radishes are hard to beat. They germinate quickly and are ready to pull in under a month. With so many radish varieties available, why not mix things up and buy yourself a Multicolor Radish Seed Packet Collection so you can try out six different salad veggies and figure out your favorite?
4. Spinach
Spinach has always been a bit of a posterchild for green vegetables, hasn't it? Whether you're blitzing it into smoothies, wilting it into sauces, or eating it raw like Popeye the Sailor Man himself, spinach thrives in the cool conditions of early spring. Harvest leaves while they’re young and tender for the best flavor (they should be ready in under 45 days). Try the Burpee Double Choice Hybrid Spinach Seeds if you want them ready even quicker.
5. Green Onions
Also known as scallions, green scallions are wonderfully low-maintenance filler crops. You can start snipping the green tops early or let them grow on for a fuller harvest; either way, they'll be out of the ground and on your table somewhere between 30 and 60 days after planting. Grab yourself a packet of Scallion Seeds and get sowing, stat.
6. Sugar Snap Peas
Okay, we admit it: these are a little slower than leafy greens. Still, peas are still a great early-season crop, especially if you haven't the patience for anything too time-consuming. Plant them in April and you’ll likely be harvesting crisp, sweet pods by early summer. Try Sugar Daddy Snap Pea Seeds for the name alone!
7. Baby Kale
Kale might have a reputation as a slow grower, but harvested young, it’s surprisingly quick. Baby leaves are tender, mild, and perfect for salads, and they only need around 24-40 days to reach their tasty peak. Well worth the price of a pack of kale seeds, right?
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When you’re aiming for a quick turnaround, take care to sow into warmed soil where possible, water consistently, and harvest little and often to encourage plants to keep producing. And, failing all of the above, why not set up a container garden full of herbs?
Honestly, whichever route you go down, these fast-growing vegetables prove that you don’t need a huge garden to enjoy homegrown produce... or bucketloads of patience, either. All you need are the right crops and a willingness to get stuck in this April.
If you put the work in now, you'll find that you're bringing plenty of fresh flavor to your kitchen far sooner than you dreamed possible.
