Zone 5b planting calendar
A generous frost-free window for a full vegetable garden.
Coldest temps-15 to -10°F
Avg. last spring frostApr 30
Avg. first fall frostOct 5
Open the interactive calendar for Zone 5b →
What to plant in Zone 5b
| Crop | When to plant |
|---|---|
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors Mar 12–Mar 26 Transplant outdoors May 7–May 14 |
| Pepper | Start seeds indoors Feb 26–Mar 12 Transplant outdoors May 14–May 21 |
| Lettuce | Direct sow outdoors Apr 2–Apr 30 Direct sow outdoors Aug 10–Aug 24 |
| Carrot | Direct sow outdoors Apr 9–May 14 Direct sow outdoors Jul 27–Aug 10 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow outdoors Apr 30–May 28 |
| Cucumber | Start seeds indoors Apr 9–Apr 16 Transplant outdoors May 7–May 14 Direct sow outdoors May 7–May 21 |
| Zucchini | Direct sow outdoors Apr 30–May 21 |
| Spinach | Direct sow outdoors Mar 19–Apr 16 Direct sow outdoors Aug 10–Aug 31 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors Mar 19–Apr 2 Transplant outdoors Apr 16–Apr 30 Direct sow outdoors Apr 16–May 14 Direct sow outdoors Jul 13–Aug 10 |
| Pea | Direct sow outdoors Mar 19–Apr 9 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors Mar 19–Apr 2 Transplant outdoors May 7–May 21 |
| Cilantro | Direct sow outdoors Apr 9–May 7 Direct sow outdoors Aug 10–Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors Mar 12–Mar 26 Transplant outdoors Apr 16–Apr 30 Direct sow outdoors Jun 29–Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors Mar 5–Mar 19 Transplant outdoors Apr 16–Apr 30 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors Mar 12–Mar 26 Transplant outdoors Apr 16–Apr 30 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors Mar 19–Apr 2 Transplant outdoors Apr 23–May 7 |
| Onion | Start seeds indoors Feb 19–Mar 5 Transplant outdoors Apr 2–Apr 16 |
| Garlic | Direct sow outdoors Sep 7–Sep 21 |
| Beet | Direct sow outdoors Apr 2–Apr 30 Direct sow outdoors Jul 27–Aug 10 |
| Radish | Direct sow outdoors Apr 2–May 14 Direct sow outdoors Aug 10–Sep 7 |
| Swiss Chard | Direct sow outdoors Apr 16–May 14 |
| Potato | Direct sow outdoors Apr 16–May 14 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow outdoors Apr 30–May 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors Mar 5–Mar 19 Transplant outdoors May 14–May 21 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow outdoors Apr 30–May 21 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow outdoors Apr 30–May 21 |
| Parsley | Start seeds indoors Mar 5–Mar 19 Transplant outdoors Apr 16–Apr 30 Direct sow outdoors Apr 16–May 14 |
| Dill | Direct sow outdoors Apr 16–May 14 Direct sow outdoors Aug 10–Aug 24 |
| Chives | Start seeds indoors Mar 5–Mar 19 Transplant outdoors Apr 16–Apr 30 |
| Thyme | Start seeds indoors Mar 5–Mar 19 Transplant outdoors Apr 30–May 14 |
| Oregano | Start seeds indoors Mar 5–Mar 19 Transplant outdoors Apr 30–May 14 |
| Sage | Start seeds indoors Mar 5–Mar 19 Transplant outdoors Apr 30–May 14 |
| Rosemary | Start seeds indoors Feb 19–Mar 5 Transplant outdoors May 14–May 28 |
| Mint | Transplant outdoors Apr 30–May 14 |
| Strawberry | Transplant outdoors Apr 2–Apr 16 |
| Watermelon | Start seeds indoors Apr 2–Apr 16 Transplant outdoors May 14–May 21 Direct sow outdoors May 7–May 21 |
| Cantaloupe | Start seeds indoors Apr 2–Apr 16 Transplant outdoors May 14–May 21 Direct sow outdoors May 7–May 21 |
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors Mar 12–Mar 26 Transplant outdoors May 7–May 14 |
| Blueberry | Transplant outdoors Apr 2–Apr 16 |
| Raspberry | Transplant outdoors Mar 26–Apr 9 |
| Marigold | Start seeds indoors Mar 19–Apr 2 Transplant outdoors May 7–May 14 Direct sow outdoors Apr 30–May 14 |
| Zinnia | Start seeds indoors Apr 2–Apr 16 Transplant outdoors May 7–May 14 Direct sow outdoors Apr 30–May 14 |
| Sunflower | Direct sow outdoors Apr 30–May 21 |
| Cosmos | Direct sow outdoors Apr 30–May 14 |
| Nasturtium | Direct sow outdoors Apr 30–May 14 |
| Sweet Pea | Direct sow outdoors Mar 19–Apr 9 |
| Snapdragon | Start seeds indoors Mar 5–Mar 19 Transplant outdoors Apr 16–Apr 30 |
| Pansy | Start seeds indoors Feb 19–Mar 5 Transplant outdoors Apr 2–Apr 16 |
| Dahlia | Start seeds indoors Apr 2–Apr 16 Transplant outdoors May 7–May 14 |
| Calendula | Direct sow outdoors Apr 16–May 14 Direct sow outdoors Aug 10–Aug 24 |