Spring Planting Calendar: When to Plant What in Your Zone

Timing is everything in gardening. Plant too early and seedlings may be killed by frost. Plant too late and you'll miss prime growing conditions. This guide helps you time spring planting perfectly. ## Understanding Your Last Frost Date Your last frost date is the average date of the last spring frost in your area. This critical date determines your entire spring planting schedule. **Find Your Last Frost Date:** - Zone 3: Late May to early June - Zone 4: Mid to late May - Zone 5: Early to mid May - Zone 6: Mid to late April - Zone 7: Early to mid April - Zone 8: Mid to late March **Important:** These are averages. Check your local extension office for your specific area. ## Seed Starting Indoor Timeline Start seeds indoors to get a head start on the growing season. Count backward from your last frost date: ### 10-12 Weeks Before Last Frost - Onions and leeks - Pansies and violas ### 8-10 Weeks Before Last Frost - Peppers (slow to germinate) - Eggplant - Artichokes - Lavender and rosemary ### 6-8 Weeks Before Last Frost - Tomatoes - Cabbage and broccoli - Cauliflower and Brussels sprouts - Annual flowers (petunias, marigolds, zinnias) - Basil and parsley ### 4-6 Weeks Before Last Frost - Lettuce and spinach - Chard and kale - Cucumber and squash - Melons ## Direct Sowing Schedule Some plants prefer direct sowing in the garden. Here's when to plant based on your last frost date: ### 4-6 Weeks Before Last Frost (Cold Hardy Crops) **Soil temp: 40-50°F** - Peas - Fava beans - Lettuce, arugula, spinach - Radishes and turnips - Carrots - Beets - Kale, chard, and Asian greens - Cilantro and dill **Pro tip:** These crops actually prefer cool weather and may struggle in summer heat. ### 2-4 Weeks Before Last Frost (Cool Season Crops) **Soil temp: 50-60°F** - Potatoes - Onion sets - Broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower transplants - Snap peas - Early corn varieties ### At Last Frost Date (Frost-Sensitive Crops) **Soil temp: 60-70°F** - Tomato transplants - Pepper transplants - Bush beans - Early squash varieties ### 1-2 Weeks After Last Frost (Warm Season Crops) **Soil temp: 65-75°F** - Pole beans - Corn - Cucumber - Summer squash - Melons - Basil ### 2-4 Weeks After Last Frost (Heat Lovers) **Soil temp: 70°F+** - Winter squash - Pumpkins - Southern peas - Eggplant transplants - Okra ## Succession Planting For continuous harvests, plant in waves: **Lettuce:** Plant every 2 weeks from early spring through late spring **Radishes:** Plant every 10 days for constant supply **Beans:** Plant every 2-3 weeks through mid-summer **Carrots:** Plant every 3-4 weeks from early spring through summer **Corn:** Plant every 2 weeks for extended harvest ## Hardening Off Transplants Don't rush transplants outside. Harden them off gradually: **Week 1:** Place outdoors in shade for 2-3 hours daily **Week 2:** Increase to 4-5 hours with some morning sun **Week 3:** Leave outside all day, bring in at night **Week 4:** Leave outside overnight if temperatures permit This process toughens plants and prevents transplant shock. ## Perennials and Shrubs Spring is ideal for planting perennials and shrubs: **Early Spring (soil workable but cool):** - Bare-root roses - Fruit trees and berry bushes - Bare-root perennials - Cool-season grasses **Mid to Late Spring:** - Container-grown perennials - Warm-season grasses - Tender perennials after last frost ## Regional Considerations ### Short Season Areas (Zones 3-4) - Focus on quick-maturing varieties - Use season extenders (row covers, cold frames) - Start most crops indoors - Choose "days to maturity" carefully ### Long Season Areas (Zones 7-8) - Can direct-sow many crops - Plant cool-season crops early for spring harvest - Plan for heat-tolerant summer varieties - Fall garden becomes important ## Soil Temperature Tips Don't rely solely on air temperature. Soil temperature matters more: **Check Soil Temperature:** - Insert a soil thermometer 2-4 inches deep - Check mid-morning for most accurate reading - Seeds won't germinate if soil is too cold **Warm Soil Faster:** - Use black plastic mulch - Cover beds with row covers - Build raised beds (warm faster) - Choose south-facing planting areas ## Common Mistakes to Avoid 1. **Planting too early:** Better to wait a week than lose plants to frost 2. **Ignoring soil temperature:** Cold, wet soil causes seeds to rot 3. **Overcrowding:** Give plants proper spacing for air circulation 4. **Neglecting hardening off:** Results in weak, stressed transplants 5. **Forgetting succession planting:** Leads to feast-or-famine harvests ## Weather Watching Monitor local forecasts closely in spring: **If Late Frost Threatens:** - Cover transplants with row covers or sheets - Water plants (moist soil holds heat better) - Use cloches for individual plant protection - Wait to remove covers until temperatures rise ## Record Keeping Document your planting dates and results: - What you planted and when - First and last frost dates - What succeeded or failed - Harvest dates and yields This information becomes invaluable for future planning. **Plan Your Perfect Spring Garden:** Use our [AI Garden Planner](/projects/new) to get customized planting recommendations based on your zone and conditions. Our tool considers your specific frost dates and suggests the ideal planting calendar. **Track Your Planting Schedule:** Use our [Care Schedule](/care-schedule) feature to set reminders for seed starting, transplanting, and succession planting throughout the spring season.