Zone 3b planting calendar

In USDA hardiness zone 3b, the average last spring frost is around May 12 and the average first fall frost around September 18: a growing season of about 129 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 May 26, when a late frost is unlikely.

Get exact dates for your ZIP code

Vegetables

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Amaranth (greens)—May 26 – Jun 9Jul 10 – Sep 18—
ArtichokeFeb 24May 5 – May 19Aug 23 – Sep 25—
Arugula—Apr 14 – Apr 28May 19 – Jun 23Jul 31 – Aug 14
Asparagus—Apr 14 – Apr 28Apr 28 – Jun 23 (once established)—
Beet—Apr 21 – May 5Jun 15 – Jul 27Jul 18 – Aug 1
Bok choy—Apr 21 – May 5Jun 5 – Jul 3Jul 21 – Aug 4
BroccoliMar 10Apr 21 – May 5Jun 20 – Jul 25Jul 13 – Jul 27
Broccoli raab (rapini)—Apr 14 – Apr 28May 29 – Jun 26Jul 21 – Aug 4
Brussels sproutsMar 17Apr 28 – May 12Aug 6 – Oct 1—
CabbageMar 3Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 23 – Jul 28Jul 10 – Jul 24
Carrot—Apr 21 – May 5Jun 30 – Aug 11Jul 10 – Jul 24
CauliflowerMar 17Apr 28 – May 12Jul 2 – Jul 30Jul 1 – Jul 15
CeleriacMar 10May 19 – Jun 2Sep 6 – Oct 9—
CeleryMar 10May 19 – Jun 2Aug 27 – Sep 25—
Cherry tomatoApr 7May 26 – Jun 9Jul 25 – Sep 18—
Collard greensMar 3Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 13 – Sep 19Aug 3 – Aug 17
CucamelonApr 14May 26 – Jun 9Aug 4 – Sep 18—
Cucumber—May 26 – Jun 9Jul 20 – Sep 7—
Daikon radish—Apr 21 – May 5Jun 20 – Jul 25Jul 13 – Jul 27
Dry beans—May 26 – Jun 9Aug 29 – Sep 18—
Edamame—May 26 – Jun 9Aug 19 – Sep 16—
EggplantMar 31Jun 2 – Jun 16Aug 16 – Sep 18—
Endive / escarole—Apr 28 – May 12Jul 22 – Aug 26Jun 18 – Jul 2
Fava beans—Mar 31 – Apr 14Jun 24 – Jul 29—
Garlic—Sep 11 – Oct 2 (fall)Jul 7 – Jul 28 next year—
Green beans (bush)—May 26 – Jun 9Jul 20 – Aug 31—
Horseradish—Apr 21 – May 5Sep 18 – Oct 30—
Hot pepperMar 24May 26 – Jun 9Aug 4 – Sep 18—
KaleMar 3Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 8 – Aug 31Aug 8 – Aug 22
Kohlrabi—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 3 – Jul 1Jul 16 – Jul 30
LeeksFeb 17Apr 28 – May 12Aug 16 – Oct 25—
Lettuce—Apr 14 – Apr 28May 29 – Jul 10Jul 21 – Aug 4
Lima beans—May 26 – Jun 9Aug 14 – Sep 18—
Mâche (corn salad)—Mar 31 – Apr 14May 20 – Jul 1Aug 27 – Sep 10
Malabar spinachApr 14May 26 – Jun 9Aug 4 – Sep 18—
Mizuna—Apr 14 – Apr 28May 24 – Jul 5Aug 2 – Aug 16
Mustard greens—Apr 14 – Apr 28May 24 – Jul 5Aug 2 – Aug 16
Napa cabbageMar 24Apr 28 – May 12Jul 7 – Aug 4Jun 26 – Jul 10
Okra—Jun 2 – Jun 16Aug 1 – Sep 18—
Onion (sets)—Apr 7 – Apr 21Jul 16 – Aug 20—
Onion (transplants)Feb 3Apr 14 – Apr 28Jul 23 – Aug 27—
Parsnip—Apr 28 – May 12Aug 26 – Oct 21—
Peanuts
Growing season (~129 days) is likely too short. Try a fast-maturing variety, start indoors, or use row covers.		—May 26 – Jun 9season too short—
Peas—Mar 31 – Apr 14May 30 – Jul 4Jun 29 – Jul 13
PepperMar 24May 26 – Jun 9Aug 9 – Sep 18—
Pole beans—May 26 – Jun 9Jul 30 – Sep 18—
Popcorn—May 26 – Jun 9Sep 3 – Sep 18—
Potato—Apr 21 – May 5Jul 20 – Aug 24—
Pumpkin
Tight season: harvest may be cut short by frost. Choose an early variety.		—May 26 – Jun 9Sep 8 – Sep 18—
RadicchioMar 24Apr 28 – May 12Jul 17 – Aug 21Jun 23 – Jul 7
Radish—Apr 7 – Apr 21May 2 – May 30Aug 10 – Aug 24
Rhubarb—Apr 14 – Apr 28May 12 – Jul 21 (once established)—
Rutabaga—Apr 28 – May 12Jul 27 – Sep 7Jun 20 – Jul 4
Scallions—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 13 – Aug 22Jul 13 – Jul 27
Shallots—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jul 23 – Aug 27—
Snap peas—Mar 31 – Apr 14Jun 4 – Jul 9Jun 24 – Jul 8
Sorrel—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 13 – Oct 30—
Southern peas (cowpeas)—Jun 2 – Jun 16Aug 11 – Sep 18—
Spinach—Mar 31 – Apr 14May 10 – Jun 21Aug 9 – Aug 23
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)—Apr 28 – May 12Sep 18 – Nov 27—
Sweet corn—May 26 – Jun 9Aug 9 – Sep 6—
Sweet potato
Tight season: harvest may be cut short by frost. Choose an early variety.		Apr 21Jun 2 – Jun 16Sep 10 – Sep 18—
Swiss chard—Apr 28 – May 12Jun 22 – Oct 9Jul 18 – Aug 1
Tatsoi—Apr 14 – Apr 28May 29 – Jul 10Aug 4 – Aug 18
TomatilloApr 7May 26 – Jun 9Aug 9 – Sep 18—
TomatoApr 7May 26 – Jun 9Aug 4 – Sep 18—
Turnip—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 3 – Jul 8Jul 23 – Aug 6
Winter squash—May 26 – Jun 9Aug 29 – Sep 18—
Zucchini / Summer squash—May 26 – Jun 9Jul 15 – Sep 18—

Fruit

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Apple tree—Apr 21 – May 5Jul 10 – Aug 28 (once established)—
Apricot tree—Apr 21 – May 5Jul 28 – Aug 18 (once established)—
Blackberry—Apr 21 – May 5Jul 28 – Sep 1 (once established)—
Blueberry—Apr 21 – May 5Jul 14 – Aug 25 (once established)—
Cantaloupe—Jun 2 – Jun 16Aug 21 – Sep 18—
Cherry tree (sweet)—Apr 21 – May 5Jul 7 – Jul 28 (once established)—
Currant—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jul 21 – Aug 18 (once established)—
Elderberry—Apr 21 – May 5Aug 25 – Sep 29 (once established)—
Fig—May 19 – Jun 2Jul 10 – Sep 4 (once established)—
Gooseberry—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jul 21 – Aug 18 (once established)—
Grape—Apr 21 – May 5Jul 24 – Sep 4 (once established)—
Ground cherryApr 7May 26 – Jun 9Aug 4 – Sep 18—
Honeyberry (haskap)—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 30 – Jul 21 (once established)—
Honeydew
Tight season: harvest may be cut short by frost. Choose an early variety.		—Jun 2 – Jun 16Sep 5 – Sep 18—
Meyer lemon—Jun 2 – Jun 16Aug 21 – Nov 13 (once established)—
Peach tree—Apr 21 – May 5Aug 18 – Sep 29 (once established)—
Pear tree—Apr 21 – May 5Jun 26 – Aug 14 (once established)—
Plum tree—Apr 21 – May 5Aug 18 – Sep 15 (once established)—
Raspberry (fall-bearing)—Apr 21 – May 5Aug 7 – Sep 18—
Raspberry (summer)—Apr 21 – May 5Jul 14 – Aug 18 (once established)—
Strawberry (everbearing)—Apr 21 – May 5Jul 20 – Sep 25—
Strawberry (June-bearing)—Apr 21 – May 5Jun 9 – Jul 7 (once established)—
Watermelon—Jun 2 – Jun 16Aug 26 – Sep 18—

Herbs

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
BasilApr 14May 26 – Jun 9Jun 25 – Sep 18—
Borage—May 12 – May 26Jul 6 – Sep 25—
Cannabis auto—May 26 – Jun 9Aug 14 – Sep 11—
Cannabis regular
Growing season (~129 days) is likely too short. Try a fast-maturing variety, start indoors, or use row covers.		Apr 28May 26 – Jun 9season too short—
CatnipMar 17Apr 28 – May 12Jun 27 – Oct 2—
Chamomile—Apr 28 – May 12Jun 27 – Sep 5—
Chervil—Apr 21 – May 5Jun 10 – Jul 22Jul 16 – Jul 30
ChivesFeb 24Apr 21 – May 5Jun 20 – Oct 30—
Cilantro—Apr 21 – May 5Jun 5 – Jul 10Jul 21 – Aug 4
Dill—May 26 – Jun 9Jul 10 – Sep 4—
Fennel (bulb)—May 12 – May 26Jul 31 – Sep 4—
Garlic chivesMar 3Apr 28 – May 12Jul 17 – Oct 9—
LavenderMar 10May 19 – Jun 2Aug 17 – Sep 18—
Lemon balmMar 17May 12 – May 26Jul 11 – Oct 2—
Lemongrass—May 26 – Jun 9Aug 24 – Sep 18—
LovageMar 3Apr 28 – May 12Jul 17 – Oct 9—
MarjoramMar 24May 19 – Jun 2Jul 28 – Sep 25—
Mint—May 5 – May 19Jun 4 – Oct 2—
OreganoMar 17May 12 – May 26Jul 11 – Oct 2—
ParsleyMar 3Apr 28 – May 12Jul 7 – Oct 16—
Rosemary—May 19 – Jun 2Jul 3 – Oct 9—
SageMar 17May 12 – May 26Jul 26 – Oct 16—
SteviaMar 31May 26 – Jun 9Aug 24 – Sep 18—
Summer savory—May 26 – Jun 9Jul 25 – Sep 18—
Tarragon (French)—May 19 – Jun 2Jul 18 – Oct 2—
Thai basilApr 14May 26 – Jun 9Jul 25 – Sep 18—
ThymeMar 17May 12 – May 26Jul 21 – Oct 16—

Flowers

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Bachelor's button—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 18 – Aug 27—
Begonia—May 26 – Jun 9Jul 10 – Sep 18—
Black-eyed SusanMar 10May 5 – May 19Aug 3 – Sep 25—
Calendula—Apr 28 – May 12Jun 17 – Sep 23Jul 16 – Jul 30
ColeusMar 17May 26 – Jun 9Jul 15 – Sep 18—
Coneflower (echinacea)—May 12 – May 26Aug 10 – Sep 18—
Cosmos—May 26 – Jun 9Aug 9 – Sep 18—
Daffodil—Aug 21 – Sep 25 (fall)Apr 14 – May 12 next year—
Dahlia—May 26 – Jun 9Sep 3 – Sep 18—
Daylily—May 12 – May 26Jul 21 – Sep 15—
Geranium—May 26 – Jun 9Jul 10 – Sep 18—
Gladiolus—May 26 – Jun 9Aug 14 – Sep 18—
Hosta—May 12 – May 26Jul 21 – Sep 15—
ImpatiensMar 17May 26 – Jun 9Jul 15 – Sep 18—
MarigoldApr 14May 26 – Jun 9Jul 15 – Sep 18—
Milkweed—May 19 – Jun 2Aug 17 – Sep 18—
Nasturtium—May 26 – Jun 9Jul 20 – Sep 18—
Pansy / violaFeb 3Apr 14 – Apr 28May 29 – Aug 7Jul 21 – Aug 4
Peony—Apr 28 – May 12Jun 16 – Jul 7 (once established)—
PetuniaMar 10May 19 – Jun 2Jul 8 – Sep 25—
Phacelia—Apr 28 – May 12Jun 12 – Aug 7—
Rose—Apr 28 – May 12Jun 30 – Oct 13—
Salvia (ornamental)Mar 10May 19 – Jun 2Jul 28 – Sep 25—
SnapdragonMar 3Apr 28 – May 12Jul 17 – Oct 2—
StrawflowerApr 14May 26 – Jun 9Aug 24 – Sep 18—
Sunflower—May 26 – Jun 9Aug 14 – Sep 18—
Sweet alyssumMar 24May 5 – May 19Jun 24 – Oct 2—
Sweet pea (flower)—Mar 31 – Apr 14Jun 14 – Aug 9—
Tulip—Aug 28 – Oct 2 (fall)May 5 – Jun 9 next year—
Vinca (periwinkle)Mar 10Jun 2 – Jun 16Aug 1 – Sep 18—
Zinnia—May 26 – Jun 9Aug 4 – Sep 18—

Cover crops

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Austrian winter peas—Jul 31 – Aug 21 (fall)Jun 2 – Jun 30 next year—
Buckwheat—May 26 – Jun 9Jun 30 – Jul 28—
Cereal rye (winter rye)—Aug 14 – Sep 25 (fall)Jun 2 – Jun 30 next year—
Crimson clover—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 13 – Jul 18Jul 20 – Aug 3
Hairy vetch—Jul 31 – Aug 28 (fall)Jun 16 – Jul 14 next year—
Oats (cover crop)—Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 13 – Jul 18Jul 13 – Jul 27
White clover—Apr 21 – May 5Jun 30 – Sep 8Jun 12 – Jun 26

Frost dates in zone 3b

Average last spring frost
May 12
Safe for frost-tender plants
May 26
Average first fall frost
September 18
Growing season
About 129 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.

States with zone 3b

Minnesota, North Dakota

Month by month

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

Other zones

Zone 3a · Zone 4a · All zones and states