Zone 7a planting calendar

In USDA hardiness zone 7a, the average last spring frost is around April 5 and the average first fall frost around October 28: a growing season of about 206 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 April 19, when a late frost is unlikely.

Get exact dates for your ZIP code

Vegetables

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

Fruit

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Apple tree—Mar 15 – Mar 29Aug 19 – Oct 7 (once established)—
Apricot tree—Mar 15 – Mar 29Jun 21 – Jul 12 (once established)—
Blackberry—Mar 15 – Mar 29Jun 21 – Jul 26 (once established)—
Blueberry—Mar 15 – Mar 29Jun 7 – Jul 19 (once established)—
Cantaloupe—Apr 26 – May 10Jul 15 – Aug 19—
Cherry tree (sweet)—Mar 15 – Mar 29May 31 – Jun 21 (once established)—
Currant—Mar 8 – Mar 22Jun 14 – Jul 12 (once established)—
Elderberry—Mar 15 – Mar 29Jul 19 – Aug 23 (once established)—
Fig—Apr 12 – Apr 26Aug 19 – Oct 14 (once established)—
Gooseberry—Mar 8 – Mar 22Jun 14 – Jul 12 (once established)—
Grape—Mar 15 – Mar 29Sep 2 – Oct 14 (once established)—
Ground cherryMar 1Apr 19 – May 3Jun 28 – Sep 6—
Honeyberry (haskap)—Mar 8 – Mar 22May 24 – Jun 14 (once established)—
Honeydew—Apr 26 – May 10Jul 30 – Sep 3—
Meyer lemon—Apr 26 – May 10Sep 30 – Dec 23 (once established)—
Peach tree—Mar 15 – Mar 29Jul 12 – Aug 23 (once established)—
Pear tree—Mar 15 – Mar 29Aug 5 – Sep 23 (once established)—
Plum tree—Mar 15 – Mar 29Jul 12 – Aug 9 (once established)—
Raspberry (fall-bearing)—Mar 15 – Mar 29Sep 16 – Oct 28—
Raspberry (summer)—Mar 15 – Mar 29Jun 7 – Jul 12 (once established)—
Strawberry (everbearing)—Mar 15 – Mar 29Jun 13 – Sep 19—
Strawberry (June-bearing)—Mar 15 – Mar 29May 3 – May 31 (once established)—
Watermelon—Apr 26 – May 10Jul 20 – Aug 24—

Herbs

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
BasilMar 8Apr 19 – May 3May 19 – Aug 25—
Borage—Apr 5 – Apr 19May 30 – Aug 22—
Cannabis auto—Apr 19 – May 3Jul 8 – Aug 5Jul 12 – Jul 26
Cannabis regularMar 22Apr 19 – May 3Sep 11 – Oct 16—
CatnipFeb 8Mar 22 – Apr 5May 21 – Sep 24—
Chamomile—Mar 22 – Apr 5May 21 – Jul 30—
Chervil—Mar 15 – Mar 29May 4 – Jun 15Aug 25 – Sep 8
ChivesJan 18Mar 15 – Mar 29May 14 – Oct 15—
Cilantro—Mar 15 – Mar 29Apr 29 – Jun 3Aug 30 – Sep 13
Dill—Apr 19 – May 3Jun 3 – Jul 29—
Fennel (bulb)—Apr 5 – Apr 19Jun 24 – Jul 29Jul 26 – Aug 9
Garlic chivesJan 25Mar 22 – Apr 5Jun 10 – Oct 14—
LavenderFeb 1Apr 12 – Apr 26Jul 11 – Aug 22—
Lemon balmFeb 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Jun 4 – Oct 8—
Lemongrass—Apr 19 – May 3Jul 18 – Sep 26—
LovageJan 25Mar 22 – Apr 5Jun 10 – Oct 14—
MarjoramFeb 15Apr 12 – Apr 26Jun 21 – Sep 27—
Mint—Mar 29 – Apr 12Apr 28 – Sep 29—
OreganoFeb 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Jun 4 – Oct 8—
ParsleyJan 25Mar 22 – Apr 5May 31 – Oct 4—
Rosemary—Apr 12 – Apr 26May 27 – Oct 28—
SageFeb 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Jun 19 – Oct 23—
SteviaFeb 22Apr 19 – May 3Jul 18 – Sep 26—
Summer savory—Apr 19 – May 3Jun 18 – Aug 27—
Tarragon (French)—Apr 12 – Apr 26Jun 11 – Sep 17—
Thai basilMar 8Apr 19 – May 3Jun 18 – Sep 24—
ThymeFeb 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Jun 14 – Oct 18—

Flowers

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Bachelor's button—Mar 8 – Mar 22May 12 – Jul 21—
Begonia—Apr 19 – May 3Jun 3 – Oct 28—
Black-eyed SusanFeb 1Mar 29 – Apr 12Jun 27 – Sep 19—
Calendula—Mar 22 – Apr 5May 11 – Aug 17Aug 25 – Sep 8
ColeusFeb 8Apr 19 – May 3Jun 8 – Oct 28—
Coneflower (echinacea)—Apr 5 – Apr 19Jul 4 – Sep 26—
Cosmos—Apr 19 – May 3Jul 3 – Sep 25—
Daffodil—Sep 30 – Nov 4 (fall)Mar 8 – Apr 5 next year—
Dahlia—Apr 19 – May 3Jul 28 – Oct 6—
Daylily—Apr 5 – Apr 19Jun 14 – Aug 9—
Geranium—Apr 19 – May 3Jun 3 – Oct 28—
Gladiolus—Apr 19 – May 3Jul 8 – Aug 12—
Hosta—Apr 5 – Apr 19Jun 14 – Aug 9—
ImpatiensFeb 8Apr 19 – May 3Jun 8 – Oct 28—
MarigoldMar 8Apr 19 – May 3Jun 8 – Sep 28—
Milkweed—Apr 12 – Apr 26Jul 11 – Sep 19—
Nasturtium—Apr 19 – May 3Jun 13 – Sep 19—
Pansy / violaDec 28Mar 8 – Mar 22Apr 22 – Jul 1Aug 30 – Sep 13
Peony—Mar 22 – Apr 5May 10 – May 31 (once established)—
PetuniaFeb 1Apr 12 – Apr 26Jun 1 – Nov 4—
Phacelia—Mar 22 – Apr 5May 6 – Jul 1—
Rose—Mar 22 – Apr 5May 24 – Sep 6—
Salvia (ornamental)Feb 1Apr 12 – Apr 26Jun 21 – Nov 4—
SnapdragonJan 25Mar 22 – Apr 5Jun 10 – Sep 2—
StrawflowerMar 8Apr 19 – May 3Jul 18 – Oct 10—
Sunflower—Apr 19 – May 3Jul 8 – Aug 12—
Sweet alyssumFeb 15Mar 29 – Apr 12May 18 – Sep 21—
Sweet pea (flower)—Feb 22 – Mar 8May 8 – Jul 3—
Tulip—Oct 7 – Nov 11 (fall)Mar 29 – May 3 next year—
Vinca (periwinkle)Feb 1Apr 26 – May 10Jun 25 – Oct 28—
Zinnia—Apr 19 – May 3Jun 28 – Sep 20—

Cover crops

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Austrian winter peas—Sep 9 – Sep 30 (fall)Apr 26 – May 24 next year—
Buckwheat—Apr 19 – May 3May 24 – Jun 21—
Cereal rye (winter rye)—Sep 23 – Nov 4 (fall)Apr 26 – May 24 next year—
Crimson clover—Mar 8 – Mar 22May 7 – Jun 11Aug 29 – Sep 12
Hairy vetch—Sep 9 – Oct 7 (fall)May 10 – Jun 7 next year—
Oats (cover crop)—Mar 8 – Mar 22May 7 – Jun 11Aug 22 – Sep 5
White clover—Mar 15 – Mar 29May 24 – Aug 2Jul 22 – Aug 5

Frost dates in zone 7a

Average last spring frost
April 5
Safe for frost-tender plants
April 19
Average first fall frost
October 28
Growing season
About 206 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 7a

Arkansas, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia

Month by month

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

Other zones

Zone 6b · Zone 7b · All zones and states