Planting Zone 5a

Min winter temp -20 to -15°F · last frost ~April · first frost ~October

Last spring frost

Apr 30

First fall frost

Oct 3

Growing season

156 days

In Zone 5a, the average last spring frost is around April and the first fall frost around October, about a 156-day growing season. Start tender crops indoors before the last frost and move them out once it passes.

Zone 5a planting calendar

Start indoors Transplant Direct sow Harvest

Crop	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug
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 5a

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 5a?

On average, the last spring frost in Zone 5a is around April; the first fall frost is around October.

What can I grow in Zone 5a?

Nearly all common vegetables and herbs grow in Zone 5a; the difference is timing. Use the planting calendar above, calculated from Zone 5a frost dates.

How long is the growing season in Zone 5a?

About 156 days between the average last spring and first fall frost.