Zone 4a planting calendar
USDA zone 4a has average winter lows of -30°F to -25°F. Across 794 ZIP codes in this zone, the typical last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is September 28.
Zone dates are an average — get your own
Zone 4a vegetable planting calendar
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 16
Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant in zone 4a
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 14 – May 19 | Aug 3 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Broccoli | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — |
| Basil | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 26 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 14 – Oct 19 |