Planting Zone 4a

Min winter temp -30 to -25°F · last frost ~May · first frost ~September

Last spring frost

May 10

First fall frost

Sep 22

Growing season

135 days

In Zone 4a, the average last spring frost is around May and the first fall frost around September, about a 135-day growing season. Start tender crops indoors before the last frost and move them out once it passes.

Zone 4a 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 4a

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 4a?

On average, the last spring frost in Zone 4a is around May; the first fall frost is around September.

What can I grow in Zone 4a?

Nearly all common vegetables and herbs grow in Zone 4a; the difference is timing. Use the planting calendar above, calculated from Zone 4a frost dates.

How long is the growing season in Zone 4a?

About 135 days between the average last spring and first fall frost.