Zone 3a planting calendar

In USDA hardiness zone 3a, the average last spring frost is around May 18 and the average first fall frost around September 12: a growing season of about 117 days. Here is when to start seeds, plant, and harvest 157 vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers.

Zones measure winter cold, not frost dates, so these are regional averages. Frost-tender crops wait until about June 1, when a late frost is unlikely.

Get exact dates for your ZIP code

Vegetables

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Amaranth (greens)—Jun 1 – Jun 15Jul 16 – Sep 12—
ArtichokeMar 2May 11 – May 25Aug 29 – Sep 19—
Arugula—Apr 20 – May 4May 25 – Jun 29Jul 25 – Aug 8
Asparagus—Apr 20 – May 4May 4 – Jun 29 (once established)—
Beet—Apr 27 – May 11Jun 21 – Aug 2Jul 12 – Jul 26
Bok choy—Apr 27 – May 11Jun 11 – Jul 9Jul 15 – Jul 29
BroccoliMar 16Apr 27 – May 11Jun 26 – Jul 31Jul 7 – Jul 21
Broccoli raab (rapini)—Apr 20 – May 4Jun 4 – Jul 2Jul 15 – Jul 29
Brussels sproutsMar 23May 4 – May 18Aug 12 – Oct 7—
CabbageMar 9Apr 20 – May 4Jun 29 – Aug 3Jul 4 – Jul 18
Carrot—Apr 27 – May 11Jul 6 – Aug 17Jul 4 – Jul 18
CauliflowerMar 23May 4 – May 18Jul 8 – Aug 5Jun 25 – Jul 9
CeleriacMar 16May 25 – Jun 8Sep 12 – Oct 3—
CeleryMar 16May 25 – Jun 8Sep 2 – Sep 19—
Cherry tomatoApr 13Jun 1 – Jun 15Jul 31 – Sep 12—
Collard greensMar 9Apr 20 – May 4Jun 19 – Sep 25Jul 28 – Aug 11
CucamelonApr 20Jun 1 – Jun 15Aug 10 – Sep 12—
Cucumber—Jun 1 – Jun 15Jul 26 – Sep 12—
Daikon radish—Apr 27 – May 11Jun 26 – Jul 31Jul 7 – Jul 21
Dry beans
Tight season: harvest may be cut short by frost. Choose an early variety.		—Jun 1 – Jun 15Sep 4 – Sep 12—
Edamame—Jun 1 – Jun 15Aug 25 – Sep 12—
EggplantApr 6Jun 8 – Jun 22Aug 22 – Sep 12—
Endive / escarole—May 4 – May 18Jul 28 – Sep 1—
Fava beans—Apr 6 – Apr 20Jun 30 – Aug 4—
Garlic—Sep 5 – Sep 26 (fall)Jul 13 – Aug 3 next year—
Green beans (bush)—Jun 1 – Jun 15Jul 26 – Sep 6—
Horseradish—Apr 27 – May 11Sep 12 – Oct 24—
Hot pepperMar 30Jun 1 – Jun 15Aug 10 – Sep 12—
KaleMar 9Apr 20 – May 4Jun 14 – Sep 6Aug 2 – Aug 16
Kohlrabi—Apr 20 – May 4Jun 9 – Jul 7Jul 10 – Jul 24
LeeksFeb 23May 4 – May 18Aug 22 – Oct 24—
Lettuce—Apr 20 – May 4Jun 4 – Jul 16Jul 15 – Jul 29
Lima beans—Jun 1 – Jun 15Aug 20 – Sep 12—
Mâche (corn salad)—Apr 6 – Apr 20May 26 – Jul 7Aug 21 – Sep 4
Malabar spinachApr 20Jun 1 – Jun 15Aug 10 – Sep 12—
Mizuna—Apr 20 – May 4May 30 – Jul 11Jul 27 – Aug 10
Mustard greens—Apr 20 – May 4May 30 – Jul 11Jul 27 – Aug 10
Napa cabbageMar 30May 4 – May 18Jul 13 – Aug 10Jun 20 – Jul 4
Okra—Jun 8 – Jun 22Aug 7 – Sep 12—
Onion (sets)—Apr 13 – Apr 27Jul 22 – Aug 26—
Onion (transplants)Feb 9Apr 20 – May 4Jul 29 – Sep 2—
Parsnip—May 4 – May 18Sep 1 – Oct 27—
Peanuts
Growing season (~117 days) is likely too short. Try a fast-maturing variety, start indoors, or use row covers.		—Jun 1 – Jun 15season too short—
Peas—Apr 6 – Apr 20Jun 5 – Jul 10Jun 23 – Jul 7
PepperMar 30Jun 1 – Jun 15Aug 15 – Sep 12—
Pole beans—Jun 1 – Jun 15Aug 5 – Sep 12—
Popcorn
Tight season: harvest may be cut short by frost. Choose an early variety.		—Jun 1 – Jun 15Sep 9 – Sep 12—
Potato—Apr 27 – May 11Jul 26 – Aug 30—
Pumpkin
Growing season (~117 days) is likely too short. Try a fast-maturing variety, start indoors, or use row covers.		—Jun 1 – Jun 15season too short—
RadicchioMar 30May 4 – May 18Jul 23 – Aug 27—
Radish—Apr 13 – Apr 27May 8 – Jun 5Aug 4 – Aug 18
Rhubarb—Apr 20 – May 4May 18 – Jul 27 (once established)—
Rutabaga—May 4 – May 18Aug 2 – Sep 13—
Scallions—Apr 20 – May 4Jun 19 – Aug 28Jul 7 – Jul 21
Shallots—Apr 20 – May 4Jul 29 – Sep 2—
Snap peas—Apr 6 – Apr 20Jun 10 – Jul 15Jun 18 – Jul 2
Sorrel—Apr 20 – May 4Jun 19 – Oct 24—
Southern peas (cowpeas)—Jun 8 – Jun 22Aug 17 – Sep 12—
Spinach—Apr 6 – Apr 20May 16 – Jun 27Aug 3 – Aug 17
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)—May 4 – May 18Sep 12 – Nov 21—
Sweet corn—Jun 1 – Jun 15Aug 15 – Sep 12—
Sweet potato
Growing season (~117 days) is likely too short. Try a fast-maturing variety, start indoors, or use row covers.		Apr 27Jun 8 – Jun 22season too short—
Swiss chard—May 4 – May 18Jun 28 – Oct 3Jul 12 – Jul 26
Tatsoi—Apr 20 – May 4Jun 4 – Jul 16Jul 29 – Aug 12
TomatilloApr 13Jun 1 – Jun 15Aug 15 – Sep 12—
TomatoApr 13Jun 1 – Jun 15Aug 10 – Sep 12—
Turnip—Apr 20 – May 4Jun 9 – Jul 14Jul 17 – Jul 31
Winter squash
Tight season: harvest may be cut short by frost. Choose an early variety.		—Jun 1 – Jun 15Sep 4 – Sep 12—
Zucchini / Summer squash—Jun 1 – Jun 15Jul 21 – Sep 12—

Fruit

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Apple tree—Apr 27 – May 11Jul 4 – Aug 22 (once established)—
Apricot tree—Apr 27 – May 11Aug 3 – Aug 24 (once established)—
Blackberry—Apr 27 – May 11Aug 3 – Sep 7 (once established)—
Blueberry—Apr 27 – May 11Jul 20 – Aug 31 (once established)—
Cantaloupe—Jun 8 – Jun 22Aug 27 – Sep 12—
Cherry tree (sweet)—Apr 27 – May 11Jul 13 – Aug 3 (once established)—
Currant—Apr 20 – May 4Jul 27 – Aug 24 (once established)—
Elderberry—Apr 27 – May 11Aug 31 – Oct 5 (once established)—
Fig—May 25 – Jun 8Jul 4 – Aug 29 (once established)—
Gooseberry—Apr 20 – May 4Jul 27 – Aug 24 (once established)—
Grape—Apr 27 – May 11Jul 18 – Aug 29 (once established)—
Ground cherryApr 13Jun 1 – Jun 15Aug 10 – Sep 12—
Honeyberry (haskap)—Apr 20 – May 4Jul 6 – Jul 27 (once established)—
Honeydew
Tight season: harvest may be cut short by frost. Choose an early variety.		—Jun 8 – Jun 22Sep 11 – Sep 12—
Meyer lemon—Jun 8 – Jun 22Aug 15 – Nov 7 (once established)—
Peach tree—Apr 27 – May 11Aug 24 – Oct 5 (once established)—
Pear tree—Apr 27 – May 11Jun 20 – Aug 8 (once established)—
Plum tree—Apr 27 – May 11Aug 24 – Sep 21 (once established)—
Raspberry (fall-bearing)—Apr 27 – May 11Aug 1 – Sep 12—
Raspberry (summer)—Apr 27 – May 11Jul 20 – Aug 24 (once established)—
Strawberry (everbearing)—Apr 27 – May 11Jul 26 – Sep 19—
Strawberry (June-bearing)—Apr 27 – May 11Jun 15 – Jul 13 (once established)—
Watermelon
Tight season: harvest may be cut short by frost. Choose an early variety.		—Jun 8 – Jun 22Sep 1 – Sep 12—

Herbs

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
BasilApr 20Jun 1 – Jun 15Jul 1 – Sep 12—
Borage—May 18 – Jun 1Jul 12 – Sep 19—
Cannabis auto—Jun 1 – Jun 15Aug 20 – Sep 12—
Cannabis regular
Growing season (~117 days) is likely too short. Try a fast-maturing variety, start indoors, or use row covers.		May 4Jun 1 – Jun 15season too short—
CatnipMar 23May 4 – May 18Jul 3 – Sep 26—
Chamomile—May 4 – May 18Jul 3 – Sep 11—
Chervil—Apr 27 – May 11Jun 16 – Jul 28Jul 10 – Jul 24
ChivesMar 2Apr 27 – May 11Jun 26 – Oct 24—
Cilantro—Apr 27 – May 11Jun 11 – Jul 16Jul 15 – Jul 29
Dill—Jun 1 – Jun 15Jul 16 – Sep 10—
Fennel (bulb)—May 18 – Jun 1Aug 6 – Sep 10—
Garlic chivesMar 9May 4 – May 18Jul 23 – Oct 3—
LavenderMar 16May 25 – Jun 8Aug 23 – Sep 12—
Lemon balmMar 23May 18 – Jun 1Jul 17 – Sep 26—
Lemongrass
Tight season: harvest may be cut short by frost. Choose an early variety.		—Jun 1 – Jun 15Aug 30 – Sep 12—
LovageMar 9May 4 – May 18Jul 23 – Oct 3—
MarjoramMar 30May 25 – Jun 8Aug 3 – Sep 19—
Mint—May 11 – May 25Jun 10 – Sep 26—
OreganoMar 23May 18 – Jun 1Jul 17 – Sep 26—
ParsleyMar 9May 4 – May 18Jul 13 – Oct 10—
Rosemary—May 25 – Jun 8Jul 9 – Oct 3—
SageMar 23May 18 – Jun 1Aug 1 – Oct 10—
Stevia
Tight season: harvest may be cut short by frost. Choose an early variety.		Apr 6Jun 1 – Jun 15Aug 30 – Sep 12—
Summer savory—Jun 1 – Jun 15Jul 31 – Sep 12—
Tarragon (French)—May 25 – Jun 8Jul 24 – Sep 26—
Thai basilApr 20Jun 1 – Jun 15Jul 31 – Sep 12—
ThymeMar 23May 18 – Jun 1Jul 27 – Oct 10—

Flowers

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Bachelor's button—Apr 20 – May 4Jun 24 – Sep 2—
Begonia—Jun 1 – Jun 15Jul 16 – Sep 12—
Black-eyed SusanMar 16May 11 – May 25Aug 9 – Sep 19—
Calendula—May 4 – May 18Jun 23 – Sep 26Jul 10 – Jul 24
ColeusMar 23Jun 1 – Jun 15Jul 21 – Sep 12—
Coneflower (echinacea)—May 18 – Jun 1Aug 16 – Sep 12—
Cosmos—Jun 1 – Jun 15Aug 15 – Sep 12—
Daffodil—Aug 15 – Sep 19 (fall)Apr 20 – May 18 next year—
Dahlia
Tight season: harvest may be cut short by frost. Choose an early variety.		—Jun 1 – Jun 15Sep 9 – Sep 12—
Daylily—May 18 – Jun 1Jul 27 – Sep 12—
Geranium—Jun 1 – Jun 15Jul 16 – Sep 12—
Gladiolus—Jun 1 – Jun 15Aug 20 – Sep 12—
Hosta—May 18 – Jun 1Jul 27 – Sep 12—
ImpatiensMar 23Jun 1 – Jun 15Jul 21 – Sep 12—
MarigoldApr 20Jun 1 – Jun 15Jul 21 – Sep 12—
Milkweed—May 25 – Jun 8Aug 23 – Sep 12—
Nasturtium—Jun 1 – Jun 15Jul 26 – Sep 12—
Pansy / violaFeb 9Apr 20 – May 4Jun 4 – Aug 13Jul 15 – Jul 29
Peony—May 4 – May 18Jun 22 – Jul 13 (once established)—
PetuniaMar 16May 25 – Jun 8Jul 14 – Sep 19—
Phacelia—May 4 – May 18Jun 18 – Aug 13—
Rose—May 4 – May 18Jul 6 – Oct 19—
Salvia (ornamental)Mar 16May 25 – Jun 8Aug 3 – Sep 19—
SnapdragonMar 9May 4 – May 18Jul 23 – Sep 26—
Strawflower
Tight season: harvest may be cut short by frost. Choose an early variety.		Apr 20Jun 1 – Jun 15Aug 30 – Sep 12—
Sunflower—Jun 1 – Jun 15Aug 20 – Sep 12—
Sweet alyssumMar 30May 11 – May 25Jun 30 – Sep 26—
Sweet pea (flower)—Apr 6 – Apr 20Jun 20 – Aug 15—
Tulip—Aug 22 – Sep 26 (fall)May 11 – Jun 15 next year—
Vinca (periwinkle)Mar 16Jun 8 – Jun 22Aug 7 – Sep 12—
Zinnia—Jun 1 – Jun 15Aug 10 – Sep 12—

Cover crops

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Austrian winter peas—Jul 25 – Aug 15 (fall)Jun 8 – Jul 6 next year—
Buckwheat—Jun 1 – Jun 15Jul 6 – Aug 3—
Cereal rye (winter rye)—Aug 8 – Sep 19 (fall)Jun 8 – Jul 6 next year—
Crimson clover—Apr 20 – May 4Jun 19 – Jul 24Jul 14 – Jul 28
Hairy vetch—Jul 25 – Aug 22 (fall)Jun 22 – Jul 20 next year—
Oats (cover crop)—Apr 20 – May 4Jun 19 – Jul 24Jul 7 – Jul 21
White clover—Apr 27 – May 11Jul 6 – Sep 12—

Frost dates in zone 3a

Average last spring frost
May 18
Safe for frost-tender plants
June 1
Average first fall frost
September 12
Growing season
About 117 days

Your own dates can be a few weeks either side, depending on elevation, nearby water, and whether you're in a city or a low frost pocket.

Month by month

January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December

Other zones

Zone 3b · All zones and states