What to plant in April in China
16 vegetables, fruits and herbs to sow or plant in April in China, for the climate around Shanghai, China.
Climate: Humid subtropical: winter nights fall below freezing from December to February, summers are hot and humid, June to August brings plum-rain and typhoon rains (Aug about 450 mm), and the growing season runs roughly from late March to late November.
Vegetables
Tomato Solanum lycopersicum
Warm, long summers ripen fruit well, and seedlings set easily once nights stay above 15 °C.
Harvest: 60–80 days after transplantingEasyIn potsCare guide →
Sweet pepper Capsicum annuum
The hot Shanghai summer suits peppers, which fruit steadily from July to October.
Harvest: 70–90 days after transplantingEasyIn potsCare guide →
Eggplant Solanum melongena
Heat-loving and productive in the humid summers, and a staple of local cooking.
Harvest: 70–90 days after transplantingEasyIn potsCare guide →
Zucchini Cucurbita pepo
Vigorous and heavy-yielding in the warm season, with no frost risk once it is sown after April.
Harvest: 45–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Pak choi Brassica rapa
Quick cool-season greens that sow well in spring and autumn, when Shanghai's temperatures are mild.
Harvest: 35–50 daysEasyIn pots
Spinach Spinacia oleracea
Prefers the cool spring and autumn, and bolts in the summer heat, so sow in the cooler months.
Harvest: 40–50 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Lettuce Lactuca sativa
Cut-and-come-again leaves grow best in the mild spring and autumn weather of this climate.
Harvest: 45–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Radish Raphanus sativus
Fast-maturing roots that fit the short gaps between seasons in Shanghai's gardens.
Harvest: 25–40 daysEasyIn pots
Carrot Daucus carota
Deep, loose soil in the autumn and spring gives sweet roots, though summer sowings need steady watering.
Harvest: 70–90 daysModerateIn potsCare guide →
Fruits
Watermelon Citrullus lanatus
Shanghai's hot, sunny summers give the heat and length of season that melons need to sweeten.
Harvest: 80–100 daysModerate
Loquat Eriobotrya japonica
Native to this region's warm temperate zone, it tolerates light frost and fruits in late winter.
Harvest: 3–4 years to first fruitEasyIn pots
Herbs
Basil Ocimum basilicum
Thrives in the warm, humid summer and grows well in balcony pots.
Harvest: 30–40 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Coriander Coriandrum sativum
Prefers the mild spring and autumn, bolting quickly in summer heat.
Harvest: 40–50 days for leavesEasyIn potsCare guide →
Mint Mentha spicata
Hardy perennial that survives frost and spreads vigorously, best kept in its own container.
Harvest: 60–70 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Parsley Petroselinum crispum
Tolerates the local cold and grows well in pots on a balcony.
Harvest: 70–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Chinese chives Allium tuberosum
Frost-hardy perennial that regrows after cutting, and is a common herb in Shanghai kitchens.
Harvest: 60–80 daysEasyIn pots