Zone 5b planting calendar

In USDA hardiness zone 5b, the average last spring frost is around April 25 and the average first fall frost around October 12: a growing season of about 170 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 9, when a late frost is unlikely.

Get exact dates for your ZIP code

Vegetables

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

Fruit

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Apple tree—Apr 4 – Apr 18Aug 3 – Sep 21 (once established)—
Apricot tree—Apr 4 – Apr 18Jul 11 – Aug 1 (once established)—
Blackberry—Apr 4 – Apr 18Jul 11 – Aug 15 (once established)—
Blueberry—Apr 4 – Apr 18Jun 27 – Aug 8 (once established)—
Cantaloupe—May 16 – May 30Aug 4 – Sep 8—
Cherry tree (sweet)—Apr 4 – Apr 18Jun 20 – Jul 11 (once established)—
Currant—Mar 28 – Apr 11Jul 4 – Aug 1 (once established)—
Elderberry—Apr 4 – Apr 18Aug 8 – Sep 12 (once established)—
Fig—May 2 – May 16Aug 3 – Sep 28 (once established)—
Gooseberry—Mar 28 – Apr 11Jul 4 – Aug 1 (once established)—
Grape—Apr 4 – Apr 18Aug 17 – Sep 28 (once established)—
Ground cherryMar 21May 9 – May 23Jul 18 – Sep 26—
Honeyberry (haskap)—Mar 28 – Apr 11Jun 13 – Jul 4 (once established)—
Honeydew—May 16 – May 30Aug 19 – Sep 23—
Meyer lemon—May 16 – May 30Sep 14 – Dec 7 (once established)—
Peach tree—Apr 4 – Apr 18Aug 1 – Sep 12 (once established)—
Pear tree—Apr 4 – Apr 18Jul 20 – Sep 7 (once established)—
Plum tree—Apr 4 – Apr 18Aug 1 – Aug 29 (once established)—
Raspberry (fall-bearing)—Apr 4 – Apr 18Aug 31 – Oct 12—
Raspberry (summer)—Apr 4 – Apr 18Jun 27 – Aug 1 (once established)—
Strawberry (everbearing)—Apr 4 – Apr 18Jul 3 – Oct 9—
Strawberry (June-bearing)—Apr 4 – Apr 18May 23 – Jun 20 (once established)—
Watermelon—May 16 – May 30Aug 9 – Sep 13—

Herbs

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
BasilMar 28May 9 – May 23Jun 8 – Sep 14—
Borage—Apr 25 – May 9Jun 19 – Sep 11—
Cannabis auto—May 9 – May 23Jul 28 – Aug 25Jun 26 – Jul 10
Cannabis regular
Tight season: harvest may be cut short by frost. Choose an early variety.		Apr 11May 9 – May 23Oct 1 – Oct 12—
CatnipFeb 28Apr 11 – Apr 25Jun 10 – Oct 14—
Chamomile—Apr 11 – Apr 25Jun 10 – Aug 19—
Chervil—Apr 4 – Apr 18May 24 – Jul 5Aug 9 – Aug 23
ChivesFeb 7Apr 4 – Apr 18Jun 3 – Nov 4—
Cilantro—Apr 4 – Apr 18May 19 – Jun 23Aug 14 – Aug 28
Dill—May 9 – May 23Jun 23 – Aug 18—
Fennel (bulb)—Apr 25 – May 9Jul 14 – Aug 18Jul 10 – Jul 24
Garlic chivesFeb 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Jun 30 – Nov 2—
LavenderFeb 21May 2 – May 16Jul 31 – Sep 11—
Lemon balmFeb 28Apr 25 – May 9Jun 24 – Oct 26—
Lemongrass—May 9 – May 23Aug 7 – Oct 12—
LovageFeb 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Jun 30 – Nov 2—
MarjoramMar 7May 2 – May 16Jul 11 – Oct 17—
Mint—Apr 18 – May 2May 18 – Oct 19—
OreganoFeb 28Apr 25 – May 9Jun 24 – Oct 26—
ParsleyFeb 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Jun 20 – Oct 24—
Rosemary—May 2 – May 16Jun 16 – Nov 2—
SageFeb 28Apr 25 – May 9Jul 9 – Nov 9—
SteviaMar 14May 9 – May 23Aug 7 – Oct 12—
Summer savory—May 9 – May 23Jul 8 – Sep 16—
Tarragon (French)—May 2 – May 16Jul 1 – Oct 7—
Thai basilMar 28May 9 – May 23Jul 8 – Oct 12—
ThymeFeb 28Apr 25 – May 9Jul 4 – Nov 7—

Flowers

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Bachelor's button—Mar 28 – Apr 11Jun 1 – Aug 10—
Begonia—May 9 – May 23Jun 23 – Oct 12—
Black-eyed SusanFeb 21Apr 18 – May 2Jul 17 – Oct 9—
Calendula—Apr 11 – Apr 25May 31 – Sep 6Aug 9 – Aug 23
ColeusFeb 28May 9 – May 23Jun 28 – Oct 12—
Coneflower (echinacea)—Apr 25 – May 9Jul 24 – Oct 12—
Cosmos—May 9 – May 23Jul 23 – Oct 12—
Daffodil—Sep 14 – Oct 19 (fall)Mar 28 – Apr 25 next year—
Dahlia—May 9 – May 23Aug 17 – Oct 12—
Daylily—Apr 25 – May 9Jul 4 – Aug 29—
Geranium—May 9 – May 23Jun 23 – Oct 12—
Gladiolus—May 9 – May 23Jul 28 – Sep 1—
Hosta—Apr 25 – May 9Jul 4 – Aug 29—
ImpatiensFeb 28May 9 – May 23Jun 28 – Oct 12—
MarigoldMar 28May 9 – May 23Jun 28 – Oct 12—
Milkweed—May 2 – May 16Jul 31 – Oct 9—
Nasturtium—May 9 – May 23Jul 3 – Oct 9—
Pansy / violaJan 17Mar 28 – Apr 11May 12 – Jul 21Aug 14 – Aug 28
Peony—Apr 11 – Apr 25May 30 – Jun 20 (once established)—
PetuniaFeb 21May 2 – May 16Jun 21 – Oct 19—
Phacelia—Apr 11 – Apr 25May 26 – Jul 21—
Rose—Apr 11 – Apr 25Jun 13 – Sep 26—
Salvia (ornamental)Feb 21May 2 – May 16Jul 11 – Oct 19—
SnapdragonFeb 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Jun 30 – Sep 22—
StrawflowerMar 28May 9 – May 23Aug 7 – Oct 12—
Sunflower—May 9 – May 23Jul 28 – Sep 1—
Sweet alyssumMar 7Apr 18 – May 2Jun 7 – Oct 11—
Sweet pea (flower)—Mar 14 – Mar 28May 28 – Jul 23—
Tulip—Sep 21 – Oct 26 (fall)Apr 18 – May 23 next year—
Vinca (periwinkle)Feb 21May 16 – May 30Jul 15 – Oct 12—
Zinnia—May 9 – May 23Jul 18 – Oct 10—

Cover crops

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Austrian winter peas—Aug 24 – Sep 14 (fall)May 16 – Jun 13 next year—
Buckwheat—May 9 – May 23Jun 13 – Jul 11—
Cereal rye (winter rye)—Sep 7 – Oct 19 (fall)May 16 – Jun 13 next year—
Crimson clover—Mar 28 – Apr 11May 27 – Jul 1Aug 13 – Aug 27
Hairy vetch—Aug 24 – Sep 21 (fall)May 30 – Jun 27 next year—
Oats (cover crop)—Mar 28 – Apr 11May 27 – Jul 1Aug 6 – Aug 20
White clover—Apr 4 – Apr 18Jun 13 – Aug 22Jul 6 – Jul 20

Frost dates in zone 5b

Average last spring frost
April 25
Safe for frost-tender plants
May 9
Average first fall frost
October 12
Growing season
About 170 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 5b

Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Month by month

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

Other zones

Zone 5a · Zone 6a · All zones and states