Planting Zone 3a

Min winter temp -40 to -35°F · last frost ~May · first frost ~September

Last spring frost

May 15

First fall frost

Sep 15

Growing season

123 days

In Zone 3a, the average last spring frost is around May and the first fall frost around September, about a 123-day growing season. Start tender crops indoors before the last frost and move them out once it passes.

Zone 3a planting calendar

Start indoors Transplant Direct sow Harvest

Crop	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep
Tomatoes	●		●			●
Peppers	●		●			●
Cucumbers		●	●		●
Lettuce		●	●	●
Zucchini		●	●		●
Carrots			●		●
Beans (bush)			●		●
Peas		●		●
Broccoli		●	●		●
Spinach		●	●
Kale		●	●	●
Onions	●		●			●
Garlic
Potatoes			●		●
Squash (winter)		●	●				●
Corn			●			●
Radishes		●	●
Beets		●		●
Eggplant	●		●			●
Basil		●	●		●
Cilantro			●	●
Parsley	●		●		●
Pumpkins		●	●				●
Sunflowers			●			●

When to plant popular crops in Zone 3a

Tomatoes

~75 days

When to plant

Peppers

~80 days

When to plant

Cucumbers

~60 days

When to plant

Lettuce

~50 days

When to plant

Tomatoes Peppers Cucumbers Lettuce Zucchini Carrots Beans (bush) Peas Broccoli Spinach Kale Onions Garlic Potatoes Squash (winter) Corn Radishes Beets Eggplant Basil Cilantro Parsley Pumpkins Sunflowers

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Zone 3a?

On average, the last spring frost in Zone 3a is around May; the first fall frost is around September.

What can I grow in Zone 3a?

Nearly all common vegetables and herbs grow in Zone 3a; the difference is timing. Use the planting calendar above, calculated from Zone 3a frost dates.

How long is the growing season in Zone 3a?

About 123 days between the average last spring and first fall frost.