Zone 5b planting calendar
USDA zone 5b has average winter lows of -15°F to -10°F. Across 2,889 ZIP codes in this zone, the typical last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 11.
Zone dates are an average — get your own
Zone 5b vegetable planting calendar
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Nov 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant in zone 5b
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 3 – May 8 | Aug 16 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Okra | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Basil | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 27 – Nov 1 |