Zone 4b planting calendar

In USDA hardiness zone 4b, the average last spring frost is around May 5 and the average first fall frost around September 28: a growing season of about 146 days. Here is when to start seeds, plant, and harvest 157 vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers.

Zones measure winter cold, not frost dates, so these are regional averages. Frost-tender crops wait until about May 19, when a late frost is unlikely.

Get exact dates for your ZIP code

Vegetables

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Amaranth (greens)—May 19 – Jun 2Jul 3 – Sep 11—
ArtichokeFeb 17Apr 28 – May 12Aug 16 – Oct 5—
Arugula—Apr 7 – Apr 21May 12 – Jun 16Aug 10 – Aug 24
Asparagus—Apr 7 – Apr 21Apr 21 – Jun 16 (once established)—
Beet—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 8 – Jul 20Jul 28 – Aug 11
Bok choy—Apr 14 – Apr 28May 29 – Jun 26Jul 31 – Aug 14
BroccoliMar 3Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 13 – Jul 18Jul 23 – Aug 6
Broccoli raab (rapini)—Apr 7 – Apr 21May 22 – Jun 19Jul 31 – Aug 14
Brussels sproutsMar 10Apr 21 – May 5Jul 30 – Sep 24—
CabbageFeb 24Apr 7 – Apr 21Jun 16 – Jul 21Jul 20 – Aug 3
Carrot—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 23 – Aug 4Jul 20 – Aug 3
CauliflowerMar 10Apr 21 – May 5Jun 25 – Jul 23Jul 11 – Jul 25
CeleriacMar 3May 12 – May 26Aug 30 – Oct 11—
CeleryMar 3May 12 – May 26Aug 20 – Oct 5—
Cherry tomatoMar 31May 19 – Jun 2Jul 18 – Sep 28—
Collard greensFeb 24Apr 7 – Apr 21Jun 6 – Sep 12Aug 13 – Aug 27
CucamelonApr 7May 19 – Jun 2Jul 28 – Sep 28—
Cucumber—May 19 – Jun 2Jul 13 – Aug 31—
Daikon radish—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 13 – Jul 18Jul 23 – Aug 6
Dry beans—May 19 – Jun 2Aug 22 – Sep 26—
Edamame—May 19 – Jun 2Aug 12 – Sep 9—
EggplantMar 24May 26 – Jun 9Aug 9 – Sep 28—
Endive / escarole—Apr 21 – May 5Jul 15 – Aug 19Jun 28 – Jul 12
Fava beans—Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 17 – Jul 22—
Garlic—Sep 21 – Oct 12 (fall)Jun 30 – Jul 21 next year—
Green beans (bush)—May 19 – Jun 2Jul 13 – Aug 24—
Horseradish—Apr 14 – Apr 28Sep 28 – Nov 9—
Hot pepperMar 17May 19 – Jun 2Jul 28 – Sep 28—
KaleFeb 24Apr 7 – Apr 21Jun 1 – Aug 24Aug 18 – Sep 1
Kohlrabi—Apr 7 – Apr 21May 27 – Jun 24Jul 26 – Aug 9
LeeksFeb 10Apr 21 – May 5Aug 9 – Oct 18—
Lettuce—Apr 7 – Apr 21May 22 – Jul 3Jul 31 – Aug 14
Lima beans—May 19 – Jun 2Aug 7 – Sep 18—
Mâche (corn salad)—Mar 24 – Apr 7May 13 – Jun 24Sep 6 – Sep 20
Malabar spinachApr 7May 19 – Jun 2Jul 28 – Sep 28—
Mizuna—Apr 7 – Apr 21May 17 – Jun 28Aug 12 – Aug 26
Mustard greens—Apr 7 – Apr 21May 17 – Jun 28Aug 12 – Aug 26
Napa cabbageMar 17Apr 21 – May 5Jun 30 – Jul 28Jul 6 – Jul 20
Okra—May 26 – Jun 9Jul 25 – Sep 28—
Onion (sets)—Mar 31 – Apr 14Jul 9 – Aug 13—
Onion (transplants)Jan 27Apr 7 – Apr 21Jul 16 – Aug 20—
Parsnip—Apr 21 – May 5Aug 19 – Oct 14—
Peanuts
Tight season: harvest may be cut short by frost. Choose an early variety.		—May 19 – Jun 2Sep 16 – Sep 28—
Peas—Mar 24 – Apr 7May 23 – Jun 27Jul 9 – Jul 23
PepperMar 17May 19 – Jun 2Aug 2 – Sep 28—
Pole beans—May 19 – Jun 2Jul 23 – Sep 28—
Popcorn—May 19 – Jun 2Aug 27 – Sep 24—
Potato—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jul 13 – Aug 17—
Pumpkin—May 19 – Jun 2Sep 1 – Sep 28—
RadicchioMar 17Apr 21 – May 5Jul 10 – Aug 14Jul 3 – Jul 17
Radish—Mar 31 – Apr 14Apr 25 – May 23Aug 20 – Sep 3
Rhubarb—Apr 7 – Apr 21May 5 – Jul 14 (once established)—
Rutabaga—Apr 21 – May 5Jul 20 – Aug 31Jun 30 – Jul 14
Scallions—Apr 7 – Apr 21Jun 6 – Aug 15Jul 23 – Aug 6
Shallots—Apr 7 – Apr 21Jul 16 – Aug 20—
Snap peas—Mar 24 – Apr 7May 28 – Jul 2Jul 4 – Jul 18
Sorrel—Apr 7 – Apr 21Jun 6 – Nov 7—
Southern peas (cowpeas)—May 26 – Jun 9Aug 4 – Sep 15—
Spinach—Mar 24 – Apr 7May 3 – Jun 14Aug 19 – Sep 2
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)—Apr 21 – May 5Sep 28 – Dec 7—
Sweet corn—May 19 – Jun 2Aug 2 – Aug 30—
Sweet potatoApr 14May 26 – Jun 9Sep 3 – Sep 28—
Swiss chard—Apr 21 – May 5Jun 15 – Oct 5Jul 28 – Aug 11
Tatsoi—Apr 7 – Apr 21May 22 – Jul 3Aug 14 – Aug 28
TomatilloMar 31May 19 – Jun 2Aug 2 – Sep 28—
TomatoMar 31May 19 – Jun 2Jul 28 – Sep 28—
Turnip—Apr 7 – Apr 21May 27 – Jul 1Aug 2 – Aug 16
Winter squash—May 19 – Jun 2Aug 22 – Sep 26—
Zucchini / Summer squash—May 19 – Jun 2Jul 8 – Sep 16—

Fruit

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Apple tree—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jul 20 – Sep 7 (once established)—
Apricot tree—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jul 21 – Aug 11 (once established)—
Blackberry—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jul 21 – Aug 25 (once established)—
Blueberry—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jul 7 – Aug 18 (once established)—
Cantaloupe—May 26 – Jun 9Aug 14 – Sep 18—
Cherry tree (sweet)—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 30 – Jul 21 (once established)—
Currant—Apr 7 – Apr 21Jul 14 – Aug 11 (once established)—
Elderberry—Apr 14 – Apr 28Aug 18 – Sep 22 (once established)—
Fig—May 12 – May 26Jul 20 – Sep 14 (once established)—
Gooseberry—Apr 7 – Apr 21Jul 14 – Aug 11 (once established)—
Grape—Apr 14 – Apr 28Aug 3 – Sep 14 (once established)—
Ground cherryMar 31May 19 – Jun 2Jul 28 – Sep 28—
Honeyberry (haskap)—Apr 7 – Apr 21Jun 23 – Jul 14 (once established)—
Honeydew—May 26 – Jun 9Aug 29 – Sep 28—
Meyer lemon—May 26 – Jun 9Aug 31 – Nov 23 (once established)—
Peach tree—Apr 14 – Apr 28Aug 11 – Sep 22 (once established)—
Pear tree—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jul 6 – Aug 24 (once established)—
Plum tree—Apr 14 – Apr 28Aug 11 – Sep 8 (once established)—
Raspberry (fall-bearing)—Apr 14 – Apr 28Aug 17 – Sep 28—
Raspberry (summer)—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jul 7 – Aug 11 (once established)—
Strawberry (everbearing)—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jul 13 – Oct 5—
Strawberry (June-bearing)—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 2 – Jun 30 (once established)—
Watermelon—May 26 – Jun 9Aug 19 – Sep 23—

Herbs

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
BasilApr 7May 19 – Jun 2Jun 18 – Sep 24—
Borage—May 5 – May 19Jun 29 – Sep 21—
Cannabis auto—May 19 – Jun 2Aug 7 – Sep 4—
Cannabis regular
Growing season (~146 days) is likely too short. Try a fast-maturing variety, start indoors, or use row covers.		Apr 21May 19 – Jun 2season too short—
CatnipMar 10Apr 21 – May 5Jun 20 – Oct 12—
Chamomile—Apr 21 – May 5Jun 20 – Aug 29—
Chervil—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 3 – Jul 15Jul 26 – Aug 9
ChivesFeb 17Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 13 – Nov 9—
Cilantro—Apr 14 – Apr 28May 29 – Jul 3Jul 31 – Aug 14
Dill—May 19 – Jun 2Jul 3 – Aug 28—
Fennel (bulb)—May 5 – May 19Jul 24 – Aug 28Jun 26 – Jul 10
Garlic chivesFeb 24Apr 21 – May 5Jul 10 – Oct 19—
LavenderMar 3May 12 – May 26Aug 10 – Sep 21—
Lemon balmMar 10May 5 – May 19Jul 4 – Oct 12—
Lemongrass—May 19 – Jun 2Aug 17 – Sep 28—
LovageFeb 24Apr 21 – May 5Jul 10 – Oct 19—
MarjoramMar 17May 12 – May 26Jul 21 – Oct 5—
Mint—Apr 28 – May 12May 28 – Oct 12—
OreganoMar 10May 5 – May 19Jul 4 – Oct 12—
ParsleyFeb 24Apr 21 – May 5Jun 30 – Oct 26—
Rosemary—May 12 – May 26Jun 26 – Oct 19—
SageMar 10May 5 – May 19Jul 19 – Oct 26—
SteviaMar 24May 19 – Jun 2Aug 17 – Sep 28—
Summer savory—May 19 – Jun 2Jul 18 – Sep 26—
Tarragon (French)—May 12 – May 26Jul 11 – Oct 12—
Thai basilApr 7May 19 – Jun 2Jul 18 – Sep 28—
ThymeMar 10May 5 – May 19Jul 14 – Oct 26—

Flowers

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Bachelor's button—Apr 7 – Apr 21Jun 11 – Aug 20—
Begonia—May 19 – Jun 2Jul 3 – Sep 28—
Black-eyed SusanMar 3Apr 28 – May 12Jul 27 – Oct 5—
Calendula—Apr 21 – May 5Jun 10 – Sep 16Jul 26 – Aug 9
ColeusMar 10May 19 – Jun 2Jul 8 – Sep 28—
Coneflower (echinacea)—May 5 – May 19Aug 3 – Sep 28—
Cosmos—May 19 – Jun 2Aug 2 – Sep 28—
Daffodil—Aug 31 – Oct 5 (fall)Apr 7 – May 5 next year—
Dahlia—May 19 – Jun 2Aug 27 – Sep 28—
Daylily—May 5 – May 19Jul 14 – Sep 8—
Geranium—May 19 – Jun 2Jul 3 – Sep 28—
Gladiolus—May 19 – Jun 2Aug 7 – Sep 11—
Hosta—May 5 – May 19Jul 14 – Sep 8—
ImpatiensMar 10May 19 – Jun 2Jul 8 – Sep 28—
MarigoldApr 7May 19 – Jun 2Jul 8 – Sep 28—
Milkweed—May 12 – May 26Aug 10 – Sep 28—
Nasturtium—May 19 – Jun 2Jul 13 – Sep 28—
Pansy / violaJan 27Apr 7 – Apr 21May 22 – Jul 31Jul 31 – Aug 14
Peony—Apr 21 – May 5Jun 9 – Jun 30 (once established)—
PetuniaMar 3May 12 – May 26Jul 1 – Oct 5—
Phacelia—Apr 21 – May 5Jun 5 – Jul 31—
Rose—Apr 21 – May 5Jun 23 – Oct 6—
Salvia (ornamental)Mar 3May 12 – May 26Jul 21 – Oct 5—
SnapdragonFeb 24Apr 21 – May 5Jul 10 – Oct 2—
StrawflowerApr 7May 19 – Jun 2Aug 17 – Sep 28—
Sunflower—May 19 – Jun 2Aug 7 – Sep 11—
Sweet alyssumMar 17Apr 28 – May 12Jun 17 – Oct 12—
Sweet pea (flower)—Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 7 – Aug 2—
Tulip—Sep 7 – Oct 12 (fall)Apr 28 – Jun 2 next year—
Vinca (periwinkle)Mar 3May 26 – Jun 9Jul 25 – Sep 28—
Zinnia—May 19 – Jun 2Jul 28 – Sep 28—

Cover crops

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Austrian winter peas—Aug 10 – Aug 31 (fall)May 26 – Jun 23 next year—
Buckwheat—May 19 – Jun 2Jun 23 – Jul 21—
Cereal rye (winter rye)—Aug 24 – Oct 5 (fall)May 26 – Jun 23 next year—
Crimson clover—Apr 7 – Apr 21Jun 6 – Jul 11Jul 30 – Aug 13
Hairy vetch—Aug 10 – Sep 7 (fall)Jun 9 – Jul 7 next year—
Oats (cover crop)—Apr 7 – Apr 21Jun 6 – Jul 11Jul 23 – Aug 6
White clover—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 23 – Sep 1Jun 22 – Jul 6

Frost dates in zone 4b

Average last spring frost
May 5
Safe for frost-tender plants
May 19
Average first fall frost
September 28
Growing season
About 146 days

Your own dates can be a few weeks either side, depending on elevation, nearby water, and whether you're in a city or a low frost pocket.

States with zone 4b

Alaska, Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Month by month

January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December

Other zones

Zone 4a · Zone 5a · All zones and states