Zone 3b planting calendar
Short cold-climate season; cold frames and transplants extend your window.
Coldest temps-35 to -30°F
Avg. last spring frostMay 20
Avg. first fall frostSep 12
Open the interactive calendar for Zone 3b →
What to plant in Zone 3b
| Crop | When to plant |
|---|---|
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors Apr 1–Apr 15 Transplant outdoors May 27–Jun 3 |
| Pepper | Start seeds indoors Mar 18–Apr 1 Transplant outdoors Jun 3–Jun 10 |
| Lettuce | Direct sow outdoors Apr 22–May 20 Direct sow outdoors Jul 18–Aug 1 |
| Carrot | Direct sow outdoors Apr 29–Jun 3 Direct sow outdoors Jul 4–Jul 18 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow outdoors May 20–Jun 17 |
| Cucumber | Start seeds indoors Apr 29–May 6 Transplant outdoors May 27–Jun 3 Direct sow outdoors May 27–Jun 10 |
| Zucchini | Direct sow outdoors May 20–Jun 10 |
| Spinach | Direct sow outdoors Apr 8–May 6 Direct sow outdoors Jul 18–Aug 8 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors Apr 8–Apr 22 Transplant outdoors May 6–May 20 Direct sow outdoors May 6–Jun 3 Direct sow outdoors Jun 20–Jul 18 |
| Pea | Direct sow outdoors Apr 8–Apr 29 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors Apr 8–Apr 22 Transplant outdoors May 27–Jun 10 |
| Cilantro | Direct sow outdoors Apr 29–May 27 Direct sow outdoors Jul 18–Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors Apr 1–Apr 15 Transplant outdoors May 6–May 20 Direct sow outdoors Jun 6–Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors Mar 25–Apr 8 Transplant outdoors May 6–May 20 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors Apr 1–Apr 15 Transplant outdoors May 6–May 20 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors Apr 8–Apr 22 Transplant outdoors May 13–May 27 |
| Onion | Start seeds indoors Mar 11–Mar 25 Transplant outdoors Apr 22–May 6 |
| Garlic | Direct sow outdoors Aug 15–Aug 29 |
| Beet | Direct sow outdoors Apr 22–May 20 Direct sow outdoors Jul 4–Jul 18 |
| Radish | Direct sow outdoors Apr 22–Jun 3 Direct sow outdoors Jul 18–Aug 15 |
| Swiss Chard | Direct sow outdoors May 6–Jun 3 |
| Potato | Direct sow outdoors May 6–Jun 3 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow outdoors May 20–Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors Mar 25–Apr 8 Transplant outdoors Jun 3–Jun 10 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow outdoors May 20–Jun 10 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow outdoors May 20–Jun 10 |
| Parsley | Start seeds indoors Mar 25–Apr 8 Transplant outdoors May 6–May 20 Direct sow outdoors May 6–Jun 3 |
| Dill | Direct sow outdoors May 6–Jun 3 Direct sow outdoors Jul 18–Aug 1 |
| Chives | Start seeds indoors Mar 25–Apr 8 Transplant outdoors May 6–May 20 |
| Thyme | Start seeds indoors Mar 25–Apr 8 Transplant outdoors May 20–Jun 3 |
| Oregano | Start seeds indoors Mar 25–Apr 8 Transplant outdoors May 20–Jun 3 |
| Sage | Start seeds indoors Mar 25–Apr 8 Transplant outdoors May 20–Jun 3 |
| Rosemary | Start seeds indoors Mar 11–Mar 25 Transplant outdoors Jun 3–Jun 17 |
| Mint | Transplant outdoors May 20–Jun 3 |
| Strawberry | Transplant outdoors Apr 22–May 6 |
| Watermelon | Start seeds indoors Apr 22–May 6 Transplant outdoors Jun 3–Jun 10 Direct sow outdoors May 27–Jun 10 |
| Cantaloupe | Start seeds indoors Apr 22–May 6 Transplant outdoors Jun 3–Jun 10 Direct sow outdoors May 27–Jun 10 |
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors Apr 1–Apr 15 Transplant outdoors May 27–Jun 3 |
| Blueberry | Transplant outdoors Apr 22–May 6 |
| Raspberry | Transplant outdoors Apr 15–Apr 29 |
| Marigold | Start seeds indoors Apr 8–Apr 22 Transplant outdoors May 27–Jun 3 Direct sow outdoors May 20–Jun 3 |
| Zinnia | Start seeds indoors Apr 22–May 6 Transplant outdoors May 27–Jun 3 Direct sow outdoors May 20–Jun 3 |
| Sunflower | Direct sow outdoors May 20–Jun 10 |
| Cosmos | Direct sow outdoors May 20–Jun 3 |
| Nasturtium | Direct sow outdoors May 20–Jun 3 |
| Sweet Pea | Direct sow outdoors Apr 8–Apr 29 |
| Snapdragon | Start seeds indoors Mar 25–Apr 8 Transplant outdoors May 6–May 20 |
| Pansy | Start seeds indoors Mar 11–Mar 25 Transplant outdoors Apr 22–May 6 |
| Dahlia | Start seeds indoors Apr 22–May 6 Transplant outdoors May 27–Jun 3 |
| Calendula | Direct sow outdoors May 6–Jun 3 Direct sow outdoors Jul 18–Aug 1 |