Zone 5a planting calendar
Classic temperate garden zone; most common crops grow well with transplants.
Coldest temps-20 to -15°F
Avg. last spring frostMay 5
Avg. first fall frostOct 1
Open the interactive calendar for Zone 5a →
What to plant in Zone 5a
| Crop | When to plant |
|---|---|
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors Mar 17–Mar 31 Transplant outdoors May 12–May 19 |
| Pepper | Start seeds indoors Mar 3–Mar 17 Transplant outdoors May 19–May 26 |
| Lettuce | Direct sow outdoors Apr 7–May 5 Direct sow outdoors Aug 6–Aug 20 |
| Carrot | Direct sow outdoors Apr 14–May 19 Direct sow outdoors Jul 23–Aug 6 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow outdoors May 5–Jun 2 |
| Cucumber | Start seeds indoors Apr 14–Apr 21 Transplant outdoors May 12–May 19 Direct sow outdoors May 12–May 26 |
| Zucchini | Direct sow outdoors May 5–May 26 |
| Spinach | Direct sow outdoors Mar 24–Apr 21 Direct sow outdoors Aug 6–Aug 27 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors Mar 24–Apr 7 Transplant outdoors Apr 21–May 5 Direct sow outdoors Apr 21–May 19 Direct sow outdoors Jul 9–Aug 6 |
| Pea | Direct sow outdoors Mar 24–Apr 14 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors Mar 24–Apr 7 Transplant outdoors May 12–May 26 |
| Cilantro | Direct sow outdoors Apr 14–May 12 Direct sow outdoors Aug 6–Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors Mar 17–Mar 31 Transplant outdoors Apr 21–May 5 Direct sow outdoors Jun 25–Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors Mar 10–Mar 24 Transplant outdoors Apr 21–May 5 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors Mar 17–Mar 31 Transplant outdoors Apr 21–May 5 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors Mar 24–Apr 7 Transplant outdoors Apr 28–May 12 |
| Onion | Start seeds indoors Feb 24–Mar 10 Transplant outdoors Apr 7–Apr 21 |
| Garlic | Direct sow outdoors Sep 3–Sep 17 |
| Beet | Direct sow outdoors Apr 7–May 5 Direct sow outdoors Jul 23–Aug 6 |
| Radish | Direct sow outdoors Apr 7–May 19 Direct sow outdoors Aug 6–Sep 3 |
| Swiss Chard | Direct sow outdoors Apr 21–May 19 |
| Potato | Direct sow outdoors Apr 21–May 19 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow outdoors May 5–May 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors Mar 10–Mar 24 Transplant outdoors May 19–May 26 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow outdoors May 5–May 26 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow outdoors May 5–May 26 |
| Parsley | Start seeds indoors Mar 10–Mar 24 Transplant outdoors Apr 21–May 5 Direct sow outdoors Apr 21–May 19 |
| Dill | Direct sow outdoors Apr 21–May 19 Direct sow outdoors Aug 6–Aug 20 |
| Chives | Start seeds indoors Mar 10–Mar 24 Transplant outdoors Apr 21–May 5 |
| Thyme | Start seeds indoors Mar 10–Mar 24 Transplant outdoors May 5–May 19 |
| Oregano | Start seeds indoors Mar 10–Mar 24 Transplant outdoors May 5–May 19 |
| Sage | Start seeds indoors Mar 10–Mar 24 Transplant outdoors May 5–May 19 |
| Rosemary | Start seeds indoors Feb 24–Mar 10 Transplant outdoors May 19–Jun 2 |
| Mint | Transplant outdoors May 5–May 19 |
| Strawberry | Transplant outdoors Apr 7–Apr 21 |
| Watermelon | Start seeds indoors Apr 7–Apr 21 Transplant outdoors May 19–May 26 Direct sow outdoors May 12–May 26 |
| Cantaloupe | Start seeds indoors Apr 7–Apr 21 Transplant outdoors May 19–May 26 Direct sow outdoors May 12–May 26 |
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors Mar 17–Mar 31 Transplant outdoors May 12–May 19 |
| Blueberry | Transplant outdoors Apr 7–Apr 21 |
| Raspberry | Transplant outdoors Mar 31–Apr 14 |
| Marigold | Start seeds indoors Mar 24–Apr 7 Transplant outdoors May 12–May 19 Direct sow outdoors May 5–May 19 |
| Zinnia | Start seeds indoors Apr 7–Apr 21 Transplant outdoors May 12–May 19 Direct sow outdoors May 5–May 19 |
| Sunflower | Direct sow outdoors May 5–May 26 |
| Cosmos | Direct sow outdoors May 5–May 19 |
| Nasturtium | Direct sow outdoors May 5–May 19 |
| Sweet Pea | Direct sow outdoors Mar 24–Apr 14 |
| Snapdragon | Start seeds indoors Mar 10–Mar 24 Transplant outdoors Apr 21–May 5 |
| Pansy | Start seeds indoors Feb 24–Mar 10 Transplant outdoors Apr 7–Apr 21 |
| Dahlia | Start seeds indoors Apr 7–Apr 21 Transplant outdoors May 12–May 19 |
| Calendula | Direct sow outdoors Apr 21–May 19 Direct sow outdoors Aug 6–Aug 20 |