Zone 4a planting calendar

In USDA hardiness zone 4a, the average last spring frost is around May 10 and the average first fall frost around September 22: a growing season of about 135 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 24, when a late frost is unlikely.

Get exact dates for your ZIP code

Vegetables

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

Fruit

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Apple tree—Apr 19 – May 3Jul 14 – Sep 1 (once established)—
Apricot tree—Apr 19 – May 3Jul 26 – Aug 16 (once established)—
Blackberry—Apr 19 – May 3Jul 26 – Aug 30 (once established)—
Blueberry—Apr 19 – May 3Jul 12 – Aug 23 (once established)—
Cantaloupe—May 31 – Jun 14Aug 19 – Sep 22—
Cherry tree (sweet)—Apr 19 – May 3Jul 5 – Jul 26 (once established)—
Currant—Apr 12 – Apr 26Jul 19 – Aug 16 (once established)—
Elderberry—Apr 19 – May 3Aug 23 – Sep 27 (once established)—
Fig—May 17 – May 31Jul 14 – Sep 8 (once established)—
Gooseberry—Apr 12 – Apr 26Jul 19 – Aug 16 (once established)—
Grape—Apr 19 – May 3Jul 28 – Sep 8 (once established)—
Ground cherryApr 5May 24 – Jun 7Aug 2 – Sep 22—
Honeyberry (haskap)—Apr 12 – Apr 26Jun 28 – Jul 19 (once established)—
Honeydew—May 31 – Jun 14Sep 3 – Sep 22—
Meyer lemon—May 31 – Jun 14Aug 25 – Nov 17 (once established)—
Peach tree—Apr 19 – May 3Aug 16 – Sep 27 (once established)—
Pear tree—Apr 19 – May 3Jun 30 – Aug 18 (once established)—
Plum tree—Apr 19 – May 3Aug 16 – Sep 13 (once established)—
Raspberry (fall-bearing)—Apr 19 – May 3Aug 11 – Sep 22—
Raspberry (summer)—Apr 19 – May 3Jul 12 – Aug 16 (once established)—
Strawberry (everbearing)—Apr 19 – May 3Jul 18 – Sep 29—
Strawberry (June-bearing)—Apr 19 – May 3Jun 7 – Jul 5 (once established)—
Watermelon—May 31 – Jun 14Aug 24 – Sep 22—

Herbs

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
BasilApr 12May 24 – Jun 7Jun 23 – Sep 22—
Borage—May 10 – May 24Jul 4 – Sep 26—
Cannabis auto—May 24 – Jun 7Aug 12 – Sep 9—
Cannabis regular
Growing season (~135 days) is likely too short. Try a fast-maturing variety, start indoors, or use row covers.		Apr 26May 24 – Jun 7season too short—
CatnipMar 15Apr 26 – May 10Jun 25 – Oct 6—
Chamomile—Apr 26 – May 10Jun 25 – Sep 3—
Chervil—Apr 19 – May 3Jun 8 – Jul 20Jul 20 – Aug 3
ChivesFeb 22Apr 19 – May 3Jun 18 – Nov 3—
Cilantro—Apr 19 – May 3Jun 3 – Jul 8Jul 25 – Aug 8
Dill—May 24 – Jun 7Jul 8 – Sep 2—
Fennel (bulb)—May 10 – May 24Jul 29 – Sep 2—
Garlic chivesMar 1Apr 26 – May 10Jul 15 – Oct 13—
LavenderMar 8May 17 – May 31Aug 15 – Sep 22—
Lemon balmMar 15May 10 – May 24Jul 9 – Oct 6—
Lemongrass—May 24 – Jun 7Aug 22 – Sep 22—
LovageMar 1Apr 26 – May 10Jul 15 – Oct 13—
MarjoramMar 22May 17 – May 31Jul 26 – Sep 29—
Mint—May 3 – May 17Jun 2 – Oct 6—
OreganoMar 15May 10 – May 24Jul 9 – Oct 6—
ParsleyMar 1Apr 26 – May 10Jul 5 – Oct 20—
Rosemary—May 17 – May 31Jul 1 – Oct 13—
SageMar 15May 10 – May 24Jul 24 – Oct 20—
SteviaMar 29May 24 – Jun 7Aug 22 – Sep 22—
Summer savory—May 24 – Jun 7Jul 23 – Sep 22—
Tarragon (French)—May 17 – May 31Jul 16 – Oct 6—
Thai basilApr 12May 24 – Jun 7Jul 23 – Sep 22—
ThymeMar 15May 10 – May 24Jul 19 – Oct 20—

Flowers

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Bachelor's button—Apr 12 – Apr 26Jun 16 – Aug 25—
Begonia—May 24 – Jun 7Jul 8 – Sep 22—
Black-eyed SusanMar 8May 3 – May 17Aug 1 – Sep 29—
Calendula—Apr 26 – May 10Jun 15 – Sep 21Jul 20 – Aug 3
ColeusMar 15May 24 – Jun 7Jul 13 – Sep 22—
Coneflower (echinacea)—May 10 – May 24Aug 8 – Sep 22—
Cosmos—May 24 – Jun 7Aug 7 – Sep 22—
Daffodil—Aug 25 – Sep 29 (fall)Apr 12 – May 10 next year—
Dahlia—May 24 – Jun 7Sep 1 – Sep 22—
Daylily—May 10 – May 24Jul 19 – Sep 13—
Geranium—May 24 – Jun 7Jul 8 – Sep 22—
Gladiolus—May 24 – Jun 7Aug 12 – Sep 16—
Hosta—May 10 – May 24Jul 19 – Sep 13—
ImpatiensMar 15May 24 – Jun 7Jul 13 – Sep 22—
MarigoldApr 12May 24 – Jun 7Jul 13 – Sep 22—
Milkweed—May 17 – May 31Aug 15 – Sep 22—
Nasturtium—May 24 – Jun 7Jul 18 – Sep 22—
Pansy / violaFeb 1Apr 12 – Apr 26May 27 – Aug 5Jul 25 – Aug 8
Peony—Apr 26 – May 10Jun 14 – Jul 5 (once established)—
PetuniaMar 8May 17 – May 31Jul 6 – Sep 29—
Phacelia—Apr 26 – May 10Jun 10 – Aug 5—
Rose—Apr 26 – May 10Jun 28 – Oct 11—
Salvia (ornamental)Mar 8May 17 – May 31Jul 26 – Sep 29—
SnapdragonMar 1Apr 26 – May 10Jul 15 – Oct 6—
StrawflowerApr 12May 24 – Jun 7Aug 22 – Sep 22—
Sunflower—May 24 – Jun 7Aug 12 – Sep 16—
Sweet alyssumMar 22May 3 – May 17Jun 22 – Oct 6—
Sweet pea (flower)—Mar 29 – Apr 12Jun 12 – Aug 7—
Tulip—Sep 1 – Oct 6 (fall)May 3 – Jun 7 next year—
Vinca (periwinkle)Mar 8May 31 – Jun 14Jul 30 – Sep 22—
Zinnia—May 24 – Jun 7Aug 2 – Sep 22—

Cover crops

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Austrian winter peas—Aug 4 – Aug 25 (fall)May 31 – Jun 28 next year—
Buckwheat—May 24 – Jun 7Jun 28 – Jul 26—
Cereal rye (winter rye)—Aug 18 – Sep 29 (fall)May 31 – Jun 28 next year—
Crimson clover—Apr 12 – Apr 26Jun 11 – Jul 16Jul 24 – Aug 7
Hairy vetch—Aug 4 – Sep 1 (fall)Jun 14 – Jul 12 next year—
Oats (cover crop)—Apr 12 – Apr 26Jun 11 – Jul 16Jul 17 – Jul 31
White clover—Apr 19 – May 3Jun 28 – Sep 6Jun 16 – Jun 30

Frost dates in zone 4a

Average last spring frost
May 10
Safe for frost-tender plants
May 24
Average first fall frost
September 22
Growing season
About 135 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 4a

Alaska, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota

Month by month

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

Other zones

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