Zone 4a planting calendar
Cold winters, short summers. Hardy greens thrive; warm crops need a head start indoors.
Coldest temps-30 to -25°F
Avg. last spring frostMay 15
Avg. first fall frostSep 18
Open the interactive calendar for Zone 4a →
What to plant in Zone 4a
| Crop | When to plant |
|---|---|
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors Mar 27–Apr 10 Transplant outdoors May 22–May 29 |
| Pepper | Start seeds indoors Mar 13–Mar 27 Transplant outdoors May 29–Jun 5 |
| Lettuce | Direct sow outdoors Apr 17–May 15 Direct sow outdoors Jul 24–Aug 7 |
| Carrot | Direct sow outdoors Apr 24–May 29 Direct sow outdoors Jul 10–Jul 24 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow outdoors May 15–Jun 12 |
| Cucumber | Start seeds indoors Apr 24–May 1 Transplant outdoors May 22–May 29 Direct sow outdoors May 22–Jun 5 |
| Zucchini | Direct sow outdoors May 15–Jun 5 |
| Spinach | Direct sow outdoors Apr 3–May 1 Direct sow outdoors Jul 24–Aug 14 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors Apr 3–Apr 17 Transplant outdoors May 1–May 15 Direct sow outdoors May 1–May 29 Direct sow outdoors Jun 26–Jul 24 |
| Pea | Direct sow outdoors Apr 3–Apr 24 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors Apr 3–Apr 17 Transplant outdoors May 22–Jun 5 |
| Cilantro | Direct sow outdoors Apr 24–May 22 Direct sow outdoors Jul 24–Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors Mar 27–Apr 10 Transplant outdoors May 1–May 15 Direct sow outdoors Jun 12–Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors Mar 20–Apr 3 Transplant outdoors May 1–May 15 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors Mar 27–Apr 10 Transplant outdoors May 1–May 15 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors Apr 3–Apr 17 Transplant outdoors May 8–May 22 |
| Onion | Start seeds indoors Mar 6–Mar 20 Transplant outdoors Apr 17–May 1 |
| Garlic | Direct sow outdoors Aug 21–Sep 4 |
| Beet | Direct sow outdoors Apr 17–May 15 Direct sow outdoors Jul 10–Jul 24 |
| Radish | Direct sow outdoors Apr 17–May 29 Direct sow outdoors Jul 24–Aug 21 |
| Swiss Chard | Direct sow outdoors May 1–May 29 |
| Potato | Direct sow outdoors May 1–May 29 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow outdoors May 15–Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors Mar 20–Apr 3 Transplant outdoors May 29–Jun 5 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow outdoors May 15–Jun 5 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow outdoors May 15–Jun 5 |
| Parsley | Start seeds indoors Mar 20–Apr 3 Transplant outdoors May 1–May 15 Direct sow outdoors May 1–May 29 |
| Dill | Direct sow outdoors May 1–May 29 Direct sow outdoors Jul 24–Aug 7 |
| Chives | Start seeds indoors Mar 20–Apr 3 Transplant outdoors May 1–May 15 |
| Thyme | Start seeds indoors Mar 20–Apr 3 Transplant outdoors May 15–May 29 |
| Oregano | Start seeds indoors Mar 20–Apr 3 Transplant outdoors May 15–May 29 |
| Sage | Start seeds indoors Mar 20–Apr 3 Transplant outdoors May 15–May 29 |
| Rosemary | Start seeds indoors Mar 6–Mar 20 Transplant outdoors May 29–Jun 12 |
| Mint | Transplant outdoors May 15–May 29 |
| Strawberry | Transplant outdoors Apr 17–May 1 |
| Watermelon | Start seeds indoors Apr 17–May 1 Transplant outdoors May 29–Jun 5 Direct sow outdoors May 22–Jun 5 |
| Cantaloupe | Start seeds indoors Apr 17–May 1 Transplant outdoors May 29–Jun 5 Direct sow outdoors May 22–Jun 5 |
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors Mar 27–Apr 10 Transplant outdoors May 22–May 29 |
| Blueberry | Transplant outdoors Apr 17–May 1 |
| Raspberry | Transplant outdoors Apr 10–Apr 24 |
| Marigold | Start seeds indoors Apr 3–Apr 17 Transplant outdoors May 22–May 29 Direct sow outdoors May 15–May 29 |
| Zinnia | Start seeds indoors Apr 17–May 1 Transplant outdoors May 22–May 29 Direct sow outdoors May 15–May 29 |
| Sunflower | Direct sow outdoors May 15–Jun 5 |
| Cosmos | Direct sow outdoors May 15–May 29 |
| Nasturtium | Direct sow outdoors May 15–May 29 |
| Sweet Pea | Direct sow outdoors Apr 3–Apr 24 |
| Snapdragon | Start seeds indoors Mar 20–Apr 3 Transplant outdoors May 1–May 15 |
| Pansy | Start seeds indoors Mar 6–Mar 20 Transplant outdoors Apr 17–May 1 |
| Dahlia | Start seeds indoors Apr 17–May 1 Transplant outdoors May 22–May 29 |
| Calendula | Direct sow outdoors May 1–May 29 Direct sow outdoors Jul 24–Aug 7 |