Brought to you by garden.gg Brought to you by garden.gg Zone 4 is a cold continental climate with long, freezing winters (annual minimum temperatures of -30 to -20 F) and a short, often variable growing season of about four months. Hard frosts persist into late spring and return by mid-September, making variety selection and season extension essential.
States & regions in Zone 4: Northern Minnesota, Northern Wisconsin, Northern Maine, Upper Michigan, Montana (much of the state), North Dakota, Northern New York / Adirondacks, Vermont & New Hampshire mountains, Wyoming valleys, Northern Iowa
Zone 4 gives you just enough season to grow the classics — tomatoes, peppers, corn — but you need to be strategic. Start indoors early, harden off carefully, and know exactly when your last frost hits. No room for winging it.
Pro tip: Succession plant lettuce and radishes every 2 weeks from April through August. You'll never run out of salad greens.
Start tracking your zone 4 garden — free
The right crops and methods for each season, based on zone 4's climate and frost timing.
Spring is short and the soil is slow to warm. The real work begins indoors in late winter under lights, with cold-hardy greens and roots direct-sown outdoors as soon as soil is workable in April-early May, well ahead of the late-May last frost.
Late Mar - Apr
Start 6-8 weeks before last frost; do not transplant out until after May 25.
Mid Mar - Apr
Slow to start; sow 8-10 weeks before last frost with bottom heat.
Mid Mar - Apr
Needs warmth and a long start; choose short-season varieties.
Late Mar - Apr
Start with tomatoes; plant at least two for pollination.
Late Mar - Apr
Slow germinator; start 8 weeks early.
Late Feb - Mar
Long-day types for the north; start 10-12 weeks early or use sets in May.
Late Feb - Mar
Very long season; start early indoors.
Mar - Apr
Slow; needs steady warmth and moisture to germinate.
Mar - Apr
Long season; start 10 weeks before transplanting.
Late Mar - Apr
Transplant out mid-May; tolerates light frost.
Late Mar - Apr
Start indoors for an early summer crop.
Late Mar - Apr
Hardy transplant; can set out before last frost.
Late Mar - Apr
Long season; start early to mature before hard fall freezes.
Apr
Can also be direct-sown in early May.
Apr
Prone to bolting; a fall crop is often more reliable.
Mid Apr - Early May
Very cold tolerant; trellis tall types.
Mid Apr - Early May
Direct sow early; declines in summer heat.
Mid Apr - Early May
Very frost hardy; plant as soon as soil thaws.
Mid Apr - May
Direct sow early; bolts in heat.
Mid Apr - May
Succession sow every 2 weeks; tolerates light frost.
Mid Apr - May
Fast and cold-tolerant.
Mid Apr - May
Quick cool-season green.
Mid Apr - May
Quick crop; ready in 25-30 days.
Late Apr - May
Sow once soil reaches 45 F; keep evenly moist.
Late Apr - May
Tolerates frost; thin seedlings.
Apr - May
Fast cool-season root.
Apr - May
Slow germinator; needs the full season, sweetens after frost.
Late Apr - May
Plant seed potatoes ~2 weeks before last frost; hill as they grow.
Late Apr - May
Plant sets in early spring for summer harvest.
Apr - May
Very hardy; flavor improves with frost.
Late Apr - May
Heat and cold tolerant; long harvest.
Apr - May
Hardy brassica green; tolerates frost.
Apr - May
Bolts in heat; succession sow.
Apr - May
Direct sow; self-seeds readily.
Mar - Apr
Slow to germinate; soak seed first.
Apr - May
Hardy perennial; returns each spring.
Late Apr - May
Plant crowns; perennial bed, no harvest year one.
Apr - May
Plant crowns; cold-loving perennial ideal for zone 4.
Apr - May
Set out bare-root crowns; mulch for winter survival.
Apr - May
Cold-tolerant; direct sow early.
Apr - May
Loves cool weather; sow as soon as soil is workable.
Mar - Apr
Frost tolerant; start early for long bloom.
Apr - May
Hardy perennial green.
Apr - May
Extremely cold hardy salad green.
Summer is the brief warm window (June-August) when frost-tender crops finally go in the ground. After the May 25 last frost, transplant heat-lovers and direct-sow warm-season crops quickly, since first frost returns by mid-September.
Late May - Early Jun
Harden off; protect from any late frost with row cover.
Early Jun
Wait for warm soil and settled nights above 50 F.
Early Jun
Needs the warmest spot; black plastic mulch helps.
Late May - Early Jun
Vigorous; give cages and space.
Late May - Early Jun
Sprawling; harvest fallen husks when papery.
Early - Mid Jun
Direct sow in warm soil or transplant; trellis to save space.
Early - Mid Jun
Direct sow after frost; very productive.
Early - Mid Jun
Harvest young and often.
Early Jun
Choose short-season varieties; needs full season to cure.
Early Jun
Pick early-maturing types for zone 4 (90-100 days).
Early Jun
Compact pie types fit the short season well.
Early - Mid Jun
Use transplants and black plastic; choose 70-75 day varieties.
Early - Mid Jun
Only short-season icebox types reliably ripen; use transplants.
Late May - Early Jun
Sow in blocks for pollination; choose early varieties.
Early - Mid Jun
Direct sow in warm soil; succession sow for steady harvest.
Early - Mid Jun
Trellis; longer harvest than bush types.
Early - Mid Jun
Choose early varieties for a single harvest.
Early - Mid Jun
Tolerates cool nights better than common beans; ornamental too.
Early - Mid Jun
Very frost-sensitive; wait until nights are warm.
Early Jun
Warm-season annual herb.
Early Jun
Heat-loving green; sow in warm soil.
Late May - Jun
Direct sow; choose shorter-season varieties for seed heads.
Late May - Jun
Edible flowers; thrives in poor soil.
Late May - Jun
Plant after frost; deters some pests.
Late May - Jun
Heat-loving cut flower; sow after frost.
Late May - Jun
Easy from seed; long bloom.
Late May - Jun
Bee magnet; self-seeds.
Jun - Jul
Sow heat-tolerant types in light shade through summer.
Jun
A June sowing yields a fall storage crop.
Jun
Sow again in June for fall harvest.
Fall comes early and fast in zone 4, with first frost around September 15. The focus is harvesting and curing storage crops, plus quick cold-hardy greens and roots sown in mid-to-late summer that mature or sweeten as temperatures drop. Plant garlic in October for next year.
Aug
Late-summer sowing yields a fall crop and can overwinter under mulch.
Aug
Cool-season comeback crop; protect from early frost with row cover.
Aug - Early Sep
Fast and frost-tolerant; great for fall.
Aug - Early Sep
Quick fall crop before hard freeze.
Aug
Cool-weather green; pungency mellows with frost.
Aug
Fast Asian green; cold tolerant.
Aug
Very cold hardy rosette green.
Aug
Less likely to bolt sown in late summer for fall.
Late Jul - Early Aug
More reliable as a fall crop than spring.
Jul - Aug
Sweetens markedly after fall frosts; very hardy.
Jul - Early Aug
Fall roots and greens; frost improves flavor.
Jun - Early Jul
Long-season storage root; harvest after first frosts.
Late Jul - Aug
Fall storage radish; harvest before ground freezes.
Aug - Sep
Extremely hardy; can be harvested through hard frost and snow.
Aug - Sep
Cold-hardy winter salad green under cover.
Oct
Plant cloves 3-4 weeks before ground freezes; mulch heavily for next-summer harvest.
Outdoor planting in zone 4 winter is effectively nil — the ground is frozen and snow-covered from roughly November through March. Winter is for indoor seed-starting under lights, garden planning and seed ordering, and protecting overwintering crops (mulched garlic, parsnips, cold-frame greens).
Late Feb
Long-day onions need the earliest indoor start of the season.
Late Feb
Start under lights; very long season crop.
Late Feb - Mar
Begin slow-growing peppers indoors with bottom heat.
Feb - Mar
Needs a long warm start indoors.
Feb - Mar
Slow; start very early under lights.
Start-indoors, direct-sow, transplant, and harvest windows for every crop in zone 4.
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amaranth (Leaf) | — | Early Jun | — | — | Heat-loving green; sow in warm soil. |
| Arugula | — | Mid Apr - May | — | — | Fast and frost-tolerant; great for fall. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Late Apr - May | — | Plant crowns; perennial bed, no harvest year one. |
| Beet | — | Late Apr - May | — | Sep - Oct | Tolerates frost; thin seedlings. |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | — | Aug | — | — | Less likely to bolt sown in late summer for fall. |
| Broccoli | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | — | Transplant out mid-May; tolerates light frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | Sep - Oct | Long season; start early to mature before hard fall freezes. |
| Bush Bean | — | Early - Mid Jun | — | — | Direct sow in warm soil; succession sow for steady harvest. |
| Cabbage | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | — | Hardy transplant; can set out before last frost. |
| Carrot | — | Late Apr - May | — | — | Sow once soil reaches 45 F; keep evenly moist. |
| Cauliflower | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | — | Start indoors for an early summer crop. |
| Celeriac | Mar - Apr | — | — | — | Slow; start very early under lights. |
| Celery | Mar - Apr | — | — | — | Needs a long warm start indoors. |
| Claytonia (Miner's Lettuce) | — | Aug - Sep | — | — | Cold-hardy winter salad green under cover. |
| Collards | — | Apr - May | — | — | Hardy brassica green; tolerates frost. |
| Corn (Sweet) | — | Late May - Early Jun | — | — | Sow in blocks for pollination; choose early varieties. |
| Cucumber | — | Early - Mid Jun | — | — | Direct sow in warm soil or transplant; trellis to save space. |
| Daikon Radish | — | Late Jul - Aug | — | — | Fall storage radish; harvest before ground freezes. |
| Edamame (Soybean) | — | Early - Mid Jun | — | — | Choose early varieties for a single harvest. |
| Eggplant | Mid Mar - Apr | — | Early Jun | — | Needs the warmest spot; black plastic mulch helps. |
| Fava Bean | — | Mid Apr - Early May | — | — | Very frost hardy; plant as soon as soil thaws. |
| Garden Pea | — | Mid Apr - Early May | — | — | Very cold tolerant; trellis tall types. |
| Garlic | — | — | Oct | — | Plant cloves 3-4 weeks before ground freezes; mulch heavily for next-summer harvest. |
| Husk-less / Pie Pumpkin | — | Early Jun | — | — | Compact pie types fit the short season well. |
| Kale | — | Jul - Aug | — | — | Sweetens markedly after fall frosts; very hardy. |
| Kohlrabi | Apr | — | — | — | Can also be direct-sown in early May. |
| Leek | Late Feb - Mar | — | — | Sep - Oct | Start under lights; very long season crop. |
| Lettuce | — | Mid Apr - May | — | — | Cool-season comeback crop; protect from early frost with row cover. |
| Mizuna | — | Aug | — | — | Fast Asian green; cold tolerant. |
| Mustard Greens | — | Mid Apr - May | — | — | Cool-weather green; pungency mellows with frost. |
| Napa Cabbage | Apr | Late Jul - Early Aug | — | — | More reliable as a fall crop than spring. |
| Onion (Bulb) | Late Feb - Mar | — | — | — | Long-day onions need the earliest indoor start of the season. |
| Pac/Corn Salad (Mâche) | — | Aug - Sep | — | — | Extremely hardy; can be harvested through hard frost and snow. |
| Parsnip | — | Apr - May | — | — | Slow germinator; needs the full season, sweetens after frost. |
| Pepper (Bell & Hot) | Mid Mar - Apr | — | Early Jun | — | Wait for warm soil and settled nights above 50 F. |
| Pole Bean | — | Early - Mid Jun | — | — | Trellis; longer harvest than bush types. |
| Pole/Runner Bean (Scarlet) | — | Early - Mid Jun | — | — | Tolerates cool nights better than common beans; ornamental too. |
| Potato | — | — | Late Apr - May | Sep | Plant seed potatoes ~2 weeks before last frost; hill as they grow. |
| Pumpkin | — | Early Jun | — | Sep | Pick early-maturing types for zone 4 (90-100 days). |
| Radish | — | Mid Apr - May | — | — | Quick fall crop before hard freeze. |
| Rhubarb | — | — | Apr - May | — | Plant crowns; cold-loving perennial ideal for zone 4. |
| Rutabaga | — | Jun - Early Jul | — | — | Long-season storage root; harvest after first frosts. |
| Shallot | — | — | Late Apr - May | — | Plant sets in early spring for summer harvest. |
| Snap / Snow Pea | — | Mid Apr - Early May | — | — | Direct sow early; declines in summer heat. |
| Spinach | — | Mid Apr - May | — | — | Late-summer sowing yields a fall crop and can overwinter under mulch. |
| Summer Squash | — | Early - Mid Jun | — | — | Harvest young and often. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Late Apr - May | — | Sep - Oct | Heat and cold tolerant; long harvest. |
| Tatsoi | — | Aug | — | — | Very cold hardy rosette green. |
| Tomatillo | Late Mar - Apr | — | Late May - Early Jun | — | Start with tomatoes; plant at least two for pollination. |
| Tomato | Late Mar - Apr | — | Late May - Early Jun | — | Harden off; protect from any late frost with row cover. |
| Turnip | — | Jul - Early Aug | — | — | Fall roots and greens; frost improves flavor. |
| Winter Squash | — | Early Jun | — | Sep | Choose short-season varieties; needs full season to cure. |
| Zucchini | — | Early - Mid Jun | — | — | Direct sow after frost; very productive. |
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | — | — | Early - Mid Jun | — | Very frost-sensitive; wait until nights are warm. |
| Chives | — | Apr - May | — | — | Hardy perennial; returns each spring. |
| Cilantro / Coriander | — | Apr - May | — | — | Bolts in heat; succession sow. |
| Dill | — | Apr - May | — | — | Direct sow; self-seeds readily. |
| Parsley | Mar - Apr | — | — | — | Slow to germinate; soak seed first. |
| Sorrel | — | Apr - May | — | — | Hardy perennial green. |
| Summer Savory | — | Early Jun | — | — | Warm-season annual herb. |
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Cherry | Late Mar - Apr | — | Late May - Early Jun | — | Sprawling; harvest fallen husks when papery. |
| Muskmelon / Cantaloupe | — | — | Early - Mid Jun | — | Use transplants and black plastic; choose 70-75 day varieties. |
| Strawberry | — | — | Apr - May | — | Set out bare-root crowns; mulch for winter survival. |
| Watermelon | — | — | Early - Mid Jun | — | Only short-season icebox types reliably ripen; use transplants. |
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borage | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Bee magnet; self-seeds. |
| Calendula | — | Apr - May | — | — | Cold-tolerant; direct sow early. |
| Cosmos | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Easy from seed; long bloom. |
| Marigold | — | — | Late May - Jun | — | Plant after frost; deters some pests. |
| Nasturtium | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Edible flowers; thrives in poor soil. |
| Snapdragon | Mar - Apr | — | — | — | Frost tolerant; start early for long bloom. |
| Sunflower | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Direct sow; choose shorter-season varieties for seed heads. |
| Sweet Pea | — | Apr - May | — | — | Loves cool weather; sow as soon as soil is workable. |
| Zinnia | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Heat-loving cut flower; sow after frost. |
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Sign Up FreeIn zone 4, spring planting includes Tomato, Pepper (Bell & Hot), Eggplant, Tomatillo, Ground Cherry, Onion (Bulb), Leek, Celery, and more. See the spring section above for each crop's timing.
The average last spring frost date for USDA zone 4 is May 25. The first fall frost typically arrives around Sep 15, giving a growing season of approximately 113 days.
In zone 4, start crops like Tomato indoors around Late Mar - Apr. Check the seasonal sections above for each crop's indoor-sowing window.
Fall planting in zone 4 includes Spinach, Lettuce, Arugula, Radish, Mustard Greens, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Bok Choy / Pak Choi, and more.
Zone 4 has an average growing season of 113 days, from the last spring frost around May 25 to the first fall frost around Sep 15.
Month-specific guides for zone 4, hand-tuned to current frost dates and crop windows.
Learn more: When to plant vegetables by zone