Planting Calendar by Zone
Zone → estimated frost dates → a full planting schedule. The dates are 50/50 averages; the tool shows the ± window so a late frost never blindsides you.
Frost-date source: standard USDA 50% probability averages per zone band. Your yard's real dates come from your county extension's freeze/frost map, use this to plan, then adjust ±10 days from observation.
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant / sow | Fall crop |
|---|
How the math works
- Zone → last frost (50%): z3 ≈ May 15, z4 ≈ May 10, z5 ≈ May 5, z6 ≈ Apr 25, z7 ≈ Apr 10, z8 ≈ Mar 20, z9 ≈ Feb 20. First frost: z3 Sep 15, z4 Sep 25, z5 Oct 5, z6 Oct 20, z7 Oct 30, z8 Nov 15, z9 Dec 1.
- Indoor starts = last frost − weeks-to-transplant: tomatoes/peppers/eggplant 6–8 wks (transplant at frost), brassicas 5–6 (transplant 2–4 wks before frost for hardening), onions/leeks 8–10, squash/cucumbers 3 (transplant at frost, roots disturbed hate it), beans/squash direct-sow at soil 60°F.
- Direct-sow cold crops: peas, spinach, radish, carrots, lettuce at soil 45–50°F, roughly 2–4 weeks before last frost, when the soil is workable (not muddy). Garlic: 3–4 wks before first fall frost, mulch heavily.
- Fall crops: bush beans 8 wks before first frost; fall carrots/beets 10; kale 6–8 (sweet after frost); spinach 6; radish 3–4; lettuce 4–6 succession.
Frequently asked
When should I start seeds indoors zone 6?
Last frost ≈ April 25. Tomatoes/peppers indoors Feb 20–Mar 10, brassicas Mar 1–15, squash & cucumber early April (3 weeks), onions Jan–Feb. Harden off 1 week before transplanting after May 10.
When to plant tomatoes zone 5?
Indoors mid-March, transplant May 5–15 (last frost ≈ May 5), row-cover the first 2 weeks. Direct-sow bush beans and squash soil-side late May when soil hits 60°F.
When to plant garlic in my zone?
3–4 weeks before your first fall frost, mulched 4–6": zone 5 ≈ Oct 10–20, zone 6 ≈ Sep 25–Oct 15, zone 7 ≈ Nov 1–15, zone 8 late Nov–Dec. Late planting beats early sprouting.