Zone 5a planting calendar
USDA zone 5a has average winter lows of -20°F to -15°F. Across 2,427 ZIP codes in this zone, the typical last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 5.
Zone dates are an average — get your own
Zone 5a vegetable planting calendar
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Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Transplant outside: May 17 to Jun 7
Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 26
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant in zone 5a
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 5 – May 10 | Aug 10 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Broccoli | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Okra | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — |
| Basil | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 29 – May 10 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 21 – Oct 26 |