Zone 3a planting calendar
Very short, cold season. Start most warm crops indoors and pick fast-maturing varieties.
Coldest temps-40 to -35°F
Avg. last spring frostMay 25
Avg. first fall frostSep 8
Open the interactive calendar for Zone 3a →
What to plant in Zone 3a
| Crop | When to plant |
|---|---|
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors Apr 6–Apr 20 Transplant outdoors Jun 1–Jun 8 |
| Pepper | Start seeds indoors Mar 23–Apr 6 Transplant outdoors Jun 8–Jun 15 |
| Lettuce | Direct sow outdoors Apr 27–May 25 Direct sow outdoors Jul 14–Jul 28 |
| Carrot | Direct sow outdoors May 4–Jun 8 Direct sow outdoors Jun 30–Jul 14 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow outdoors May 25–Jun 22 |
| Cucumber | Start seeds indoors May 4–May 11 Transplant outdoors Jun 1–Jun 8 Direct sow outdoors Jun 1–Jun 15 |
| Zucchini | Direct sow outdoors May 25–Jun 15 |
| Spinach | Direct sow outdoors Apr 13–May 11 Direct sow outdoors Jul 14–Aug 4 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors Apr 13–Apr 27 Transplant outdoors May 11–May 25 Direct sow outdoors May 11–Jun 8 Direct sow outdoors Jun 16–Jul 14 |
| Pea | Direct sow outdoors Apr 13–May 4 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors Apr 13–Apr 27 Transplant outdoors Jun 1–Jun 15 |
| Cilantro | Direct sow outdoors May 4–Jun 1 Direct sow outdoors Jul 14–Aug 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors Apr 6–Apr 20 Transplant outdoors May 11–May 25 Direct sow outdoors Jun 2–Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors Mar 30–Apr 13 Transplant outdoors May 11–May 25 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors Apr 6–Apr 20 Transplant outdoors May 11–May 25 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors Apr 13–Apr 27 Transplant outdoors May 18–Jun 1 |
| Onion | Start seeds indoors Mar 16–Mar 30 Transplant outdoors Apr 27–May 11 |
| Garlic | Direct sow outdoors Aug 11–Aug 25 |
| Beet | Direct sow outdoors Apr 27–May 25 Direct sow outdoors Jun 30–Jul 14 |
| Radish | Direct sow outdoors Apr 27–Jun 8 Direct sow outdoors Jul 14–Aug 11 |
| Swiss Chard | Direct sow outdoors May 11–Jun 8 |
| Potato | Direct sow outdoors May 11–Jun 8 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow outdoors May 25–Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors Mar 30–Apr 13 Transplant outdoors Jun 8–Jun 15 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow outdoors May 25–Jun 15 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow outdoors May 25–Jun 15 |
| Parsley | Start seeds indoors Mar 30–Apr 13 Transplant outdoors May 11–May 25 Direct sow outdoors May 11–Jun 8 |
| Dill | Direct sow outdoors May 11–Jun 8 Direct sow outdoors Jul 14–Jul 28 |
| Chives | Start seeds indoors Mar 30–Apr 13 Transplant outdoors May 11–May 25 |
| Thyme | Start seeds indoors Mar 30–Apr 13 Transplant outdoors May 25–Jun 8 |
| Oregano | Start seeds indoors Mar 30–Apr 13 Transplant outdoors May 25–Jun 8 |
| Sage | Start seeds indoors Mar 30–Apr 13 Transplant outdoors May 25–Jun 8 |
| Rosemary | Start seeds indoors Mar 16–Mar 30 Transplant outdoors Jun 8–Jun 22 |
| Mint | Transplant outdoors May 25–Jun 8 |
| Strawberry | Transplant outdoors Apr 27–May 11 |
| Watermelon | Start seeds indoors Apr 27–May 11 Transplant outdoors Jun 8–Jun 15 Direct sow outdoors Jun 1–Jun 15 |
| Cantaloupe | Start seeds indoors Apr 27–May 11 Transplant outdoors Jun 8–Jun 15 Direct sow outdoors Jun 1–Jun 15 |
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors Apr 6–Apr 20 Transplant outdoors Jun 1–Jun 8 |
| Blueberry | Transplant outdoors Apr 27–May 11 |
| Raspberry | Transplant outdoors Apr 20–May 4 |
| Marigold | Start seeds indoors Apr 13–Apr 27 Transplant outdoors Jun 1–Jun 8 Direct sow outdoors May 25–Jun 8 |
| Zinnia | Start seeds indoors Apr 27–May 11 Transplant outdoors Jun 1–Jun 8 Direct sow outdoors May 25–Jun 8 |
| Sunflower | Direct sow outdoors May 25–Jun 15 |
| Cosmos | Direct sow outdoors May 25–Jun 8 |
| Nasturtium | Direct sow outdoors May 25–Jun 8 |
| Sweet Pea | Direct sow outdoors Apr 13–May 4 |
| Snapdragon | Start seeds indoors Mar 30–Apr 13 Transplant outdoors May 11–May 25 |
| Pansy | Start seeds indoors Mar 16–Mar 30 Transplant outdoors Apr 27–May 11 |
| Dahlia | Start seeds indoors Apr 27–May 11 Transplant outdoors Jun 1–Jun 8 |
| Calendula | Direct sow outdoors May 11–Jun 8 Direct sow outdoors Jul 14–Jul 28 |