Lunar sowing calendar for gardeners and vegetable growers for April 2026

Spring is a challenging time for gardeners. This is when active preparations for the summer cottage season begin. Planning your plantings is made easier by a set of rules—the lunar gardening calendar—which indicates which dates in April and March 2026 are suitable for sowing and planting vegetables. Let's take a closer look at favorable and unfavorable days and discover the secrets to a bountiful harvest.

The influence of the moon phase on planting

Moon cycles, or phases, are periods during which the moon travels a specific path and experiences different states. The dates of these cycles change monthly.Scientific research and centuries of experience prove that the position of the Moon has a primary influence on plant development. Plant life responds to the interrelationships of the stars and the fluctuations in their states.

The Moon is at different stages of development throughout the month:

• growth and development of the root part of the plant;
• growth retardation, dormant phase;
• intensive growth of the part that is located above the ground.

The lunar calendar, taking these features into account, helps in planning plantings and other gardening work.

Moon phases in April 2026

Each phase of the luminary corresponds to specific dates. Over the course of a calendar month, the Moon completes a circular path that includes four time periods of varying duration.

1. April 5th. The new moon begins – the period when the moon is in a straight line connecting the Earth and the Sun.
2. April 19th. This is the birth of the full moon or full moon.
3. April 1-4 and April 20-30 are periods when the Moon gradually wanes.
4. April 6-18. The period when the Moon is actively waxing.

Each cycle affects vegetable crops differently. Days when the moon is full or waxing after waning are used to give plants a rest. Generally, no work is planned for these dates.

The Moon's zodiac position in April 2026

In April 2026, the phases of the Moon that correspond to the new moon and the full moon are under the auspices of the signs of Aries and Libra.

1. The waxing Moon passes under the zodiac constellations: from Aries to Libra.
2. Waning Moon: from Scorpio to Pisces.

Favorable planting days

Gardeners are advised to choose suitable days for sowing

Cucumbers, tomatoes	7, 8, 11, 12, 29, 30
Peppers, eggplants	7, 8, 11, 12, 20, 21
Flowers	7, 8, 11, 12, 20, 21, 22, 29, 30
Cabbage	2, 3, 7, 8, 11, 12
Green	2, 3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 20, 21, 29, 30

Unfavorable days

Gardeners have a rule: don't sow during the new moon and the full moon. This applies to all crops. Neighboring dates, such as April 4, 5, 6, and 19, are also unsuitable.

What to plant in April according to the lunar calendar

The lunar sowing calendar determines not only the appropriate dates for planting but also recommendations for selecting vegetable crops, depending on their development type. Before planting, it's important to consider the specifics of the entire growing process.

In April, crops are planted based on the following factors:

• calculation of the period from sowing to the emergence of shoots;
• the growing season of a particular crop;
• Calculating the approximate age that seedlings should reach by the time of planting in open ground:
• period of preparation of planting material.

The second month of spring is suitable for sowing mid-season vegetable crops. Mid-season varieties typically require 110 to 130 days to set fruit and produce a full harvest. The following are sown for seedlings:

• indeterminate and semi-determinate tomatoes;
• medium-sized cucumbers, with mandatory sowing in separate containers;
• eggplants, peppers, zoned for a specific region;
• annual and perennial flowers that are grown from seedlings.

April is not a good time to sow berry seeds. Strawberries are planted in February or March due to their specific characteristics. Furthermore, many vegetable crops can be sown for greenhouse cultivation. However, additional heating and ventilation are required.

Information! Raised beds are suitable for greenhouse cultivation. They protect crops from soil freezing during possible frosts.

Seasonal April gardening chores

While early spring isn't the time to begin preparing the soil for future plantings, the second half of April is the period when the soil has warmed up sufficiently. This allows for some preparation of the open ground:

• prepare trees;
• dig up plots of land;
• They remove the remains of last year's leaves and burn them.

For trees and shrubs

Preparation includes a sequential inspection, pruning, and whitewashing of trees. April is the month of intensive fruit and berry crop growth.

Landings

Many gardeners plan to plant seedlings harvested in the fall during this period. This period is suitable for planting:

• currants (2, 3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28);
• gooseberries (2, 3, 7, 8, 11, 12);
• apple trees (2, 3, 11, 12, 29, 30);
• conifers (2, 3, 11, 12).

Trimming

Sanitary pruning is planned for this month, removing old branches. Also, remove any frozen shoots that haven't recovered from the frost.

Graft

The lunar calendar is used to select dates for grafting trees. Many gardeners take fruit and berry cuttings during April. At this time, the air is sufficiently warm, and the trees are in the active sap flow stage, so April cuttings root faster than others.

A warm, cloudy April day is ideal for grafting apple trees and locally grown peaches. Suitable dates: 7th, 8th, 11th, 12th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th.

Pest and disease control

Trees and shrubs are treated for pests at the end of the month. Folk remedies and specialized chemicals are used. Spraying is scheduled for April 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29.

Caring for seedlings

Seedlings that emerged in April require ongoing care. This includes:

• maintaining an optimal temperature regime (from +22 to +25 degrees);
• providing daylight hours (at least 11-12 hours);
• stable watering with warm water.

Warning! If seedlings don't receive enough light, they will begin to stretch. By the time they reach their permanent location, these plants will be too tall.

Growing seedlings

One of the conditions for growing seedlings is the appropriate fertilizing. At this stage, the shoots may require additional phosphorus and potassium. Additionally, once they reach a certain age, the seedlings are transplanted into individual pots. Then, they begin hardening off—this will help them adapt more quickly after being planted in their permanent location.

Hardening begins with taking the strengthened plants outside into the fresh air. The duration of the procedure increases each day.

Planting vegetables in the ground

For planting, the soil must be warmed to at least 15 degrees Celsius. This is only possible in the southern regions of the country. To plant seedlings in open ground in April, it's necessary to plan for additional cover in advance.

Soil and fertilizers

This month is ideal for adding urea or ammonium nitrate to the soil. Superphosphates come later. Gardeners also fertilize the soil with prepared compost and other organic matter.

Florist's calendar for April

The amount of work required for flower crops is significantly less than for vegetables. Florists use the lunar calendar to determine favorable dates for planting flowers. Seedlings sown in April can be planted in flower beds in the summer.

Sowing and planting flowers in April

When choosing a suitable day, rely on the type of flower culture:

• annuals (calendula, cosmos, petunia): 7, 8, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 20;
• perennials (primroses, scilla, asters): 7, 8, 11, 12, 29, 30.

Flower propagation in April

Indoor plant propagation follows the lunar cycles. The most favorable dates for repotting are:

• April 7-8, when the Moon is under the protection of the zodiac sign Taurus;
• April 17-18, when the zodiac sign Libra takes patronage.

Gardener's and vegetable grower's signs for April 2026

In addition to the lunar calendar, there is a sowing calendar that takes into account folk omens.

The history of the existence of signs that indicate possible periods suitable for agricultural work begins in ancient times.

In Rus', the year began on March 1st, marking the beginning of the agricultural year. March and April have long been considered the months during which work was planned and carried out to prepare and grow the future harvest.

1. Rainy April means the arrival of a mushroom-rich summer.
2. If April begins with a thunderstorm, then the summer will definitely be warm.
3. Snowfall indicates that there will be a rich harvest in the summer.
4. If birch trees secrete a lot of sap, the summer will be rainy.

Folk omens can still predict certain events. Many gardeners, when growing, rely on both lunar calendar dates and omens.