Brought to you by garden.gg Zone 5 Planting Calendar
Zone 5 has cold, snowy winters (annual lows of -20 to -10°F) and warm summers, giving a moderate but distinctly four-season climate with a roughly 5-month frost-free growing window. Spring warms slowly and the first hard fall freeze arrives by mid-October, so heat-loving crops must be started indoors and frost-tender work is bracketed tightly between mid-May and early October.
Zone 5 is the classic upper-Midwest and Northeast garden belt: Iowa, Nebraska, the Chicago area, Ohio, Indiana, interior Pennsylvania, central New York, and Colorado's Front Range. Lows of -20 to -10°F and a 146-day season support one full main season of corn, tomatoes, and squash. Sow a second round of lettuce, spinach, and radishes by early August and the salad harvest runs into October.
States & regions in Zone 5: Iowa, Nebraska, southern Wisconsin, southern Minnesota, northern Illinois (Chicago area), Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania (interior), much of Colorado's Front Range foothills, central New York, New England interior (Vermont, New Hampshire valleys), northern Missouri
America's most popular gardening zone.
More vegetable gardens grow in zone 5 than any other. With 180 days of growing season, you can grow almost anything — but timing is everything. A week too early and frost gets your tomatoes. A week too late and you're harvesting green pumpkins.
Pro tip: Track your actual last frost date each year. Zone 5 averages can vary by 2-3 weeks depending on your microclimate.
Save a planting for your zone 5 garden — free
What to Plant in Zone 5 This Fall (September–November)
The average first fall frost in zone 5 is Oct 8. To find the last safe planting date for any fall crop, count back from that date by its days to maturity plus a 14-day fall factor — growth slows as days shorten and soil cools. Applied to zone 5's frost date, that gives these plant-by dates:
Plant by Jul 16
70 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Jul 26
60 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Jul 31
55 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Aug 10
45 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Zone 5a and 5b: these dates are zone 5 averages. In zone 5a, first frost tends to arrive about a week earlier, so plant about a week before the dates above; in zone 5b you get roughly a week of extra time. Half-zone pages shift every date for you: zone 5a fall dates and zone 5b fall dates.
Fall crops on this zone 5 calendar include Spinach, Lettuce, Arugula, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Mustard Greens, Radish, Daikon Radish, Turnip, Beet, Carrot, Kale, and 13 more. Each crop's sowing and transplant window is in the fall planting section below.
For month-by-month detail, see what to plant in October across every zone, what to plant in September, and the fall vegetable planting guide by zone.
What to Plant by Season in Zone 5
The right crops and methods for each season, based on zone 5's climate and frost timing.
What to Plant in Spring
Spring is the busiest planting window in zone 5: cold-hardy greens, roots, peas and brassicas go in as soon as soil is workable (late March to April), while warm-season crops are started indoors under lights for transplanting after the May 15 last frost. Watch for late frosts through late May and harden off transplants gradually.
Late Mar - Apr
Sow as soon as soil can be worked; tolerates light frost.
Late Mar - Apr
Direct sow early; trellis tall varieties.
Late Mar - Apr
Cold-hardy; bolts once heat arrives, so sow early.
Late Mar - May
Succession sow every 2 weeks; transplants also work.
Late Mar - Apr
Fast and frost-tolerant.
Late Mar - May
Ready in 25-30 days; succession sow.
Apr - May
Sow once soil is workable; keep seedbed moist for germination.
Apr - May
Tolerates light frost; thin for good roots.
Apr - May
Quick spring crop; harvest before summer heat.
Apr - early May
Slow to germinate; flavor improves with fall frost.
Apr - early May
Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost; hill as they grow.
Apr
Use long-day varieties; transplant seedlings or sets early.
Apr - May
Very cold tolerant.
Apr
Plant sets early; harvest mid-summer.
Apr - May
Start indoors in Feb-Mar; transplant and blanch stems.
Apr - early May
Start indoors 5-6 weeks earlier; tolerates light frost.
Apr - early May
Needs steady moisture; blanch heads.
Apr - early May
Hardy transplant; set out before last frost.
Apr - May
Fast brassica; harvest before bulbs get woody.
Apr - May
Very cold-hardy; direct sow also works.
Apr - May
Heat and cold tolerant; one of the longest-cropping greens.
Apr - May
Hardy and heat tolerant; long harvest.
Apr - May
Fast spicy greens; bolt in heat.
Apr
Bolts in heat; best as a cool-spring crop.
Apr - May
Bolts in summer heat; succession sow.
Apr - May
Direct sow; self-seeds readily.
Apr - May
Slow germinator; start indoors or buy transplants.
Apr - May
Perennial; divides easily.
Late Mar - Apr
Cool-season legume; sow as early as soil permits.
Late Mar - Apr
Start indoors 6-8 weeks before May 15; transplant after frost.
Mar
Start indoors 8-10 weeks early; slow growers.
Mar
Needs warmth; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost.
Apr
Very frost-sensitive; start indoors, set out late May.
Apr - early May
Plant crowns in a permanent bed; first real harvest year 3.
Apr
Plant crowns; perennial, do not harvest first year.
Apr - May
Plant bare-root crowns in early spring; pinch first-year blooms.
What to Plant in Summer
Summer is the main warm-season window: after the May 15 last frost, transplant tomatoes, peppers and other heat-lovers and direct sow beans, squash and corn into warm soil. Mid-summer is also the time to start fall brassicas and to sow heat-tolerant successions before the days shorten.
Late May - early Jun
Set out after May 15; stake or cage and mulch.
Late May - early Jun
Wait for warm nights (above 55°F) before transplanting.
Late May - early Jun
Loves heat; use row cover early to hold warmth.
Late May - early Jun
Plant at least two for pollination.
Late May - early Jun
Sprawling habit; fruit ready when husks drop.
Late May - Jun
Sow in warm soil; trellis to save space.
Late May - Jun
Extremely productive; one or two plants is plenty.
Late May - Jun
Harvest young and often.
Late May - early Jun
Needs full season; sow promptly after frost to mature by October.
Late May - early Jun
Long season; sow early for Halloween-size fruit.
Late May - early Jun
Sow promptly to reach maturity before fall frost.
Late May - early Jun
Use black plastic mulch and row cover for heat in zone 5.
Late May - early Jun
Choose short-season varieties; needs warm soil and heat.
Late May - Jun
Plant in blocks for pollination; soil must be warm.
Late May - Jul
Succession sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest.
Late May - Jun
Trellis; produces over a long window.
Late May - Jun
Needs warm soil and full season; choose early varieties in zone 5.
Late May - Jun
Harvest pods when plump and bright green.
Late May - Jun
Attractive flowers; pick pods young.
Jun
Heat-loving; sow once soil is thoroughly warm.
Jun
Needs steady heat; start indoors and transplant into the warmest spot.
Late May - Jun
Heat-tolerant green; harvest leaves young.
Late May - Jun
Heat-tolerant spinach substitute for summer harvest.
Late May - Jun
Pinch tops to keep it bushy; never let it frost.
Late May - Jun
Direct sow; choose dwarf or mammoth as desired.
Late May - Jun
Heat-loving cut flower; deadhead for more blooms.
Late May - Jun
Good pest-deterrent companion among vegetables.
Late May - Jun
Thrives in lean soil; great pollinator plant.
Late May - Jun
Edible flowers; trap crop for aphids.
Jun - Jul
Start fall crop indoors mid-summer for a September harvest.
Jun - Jul
Start fall heads now; transplant in late July.
What to Plant in Fall
Fall in zone 5 is for cool-season successions and harvest: quick greens and roots sown in late summer mature into the cooler, sweeter days of September and October, and fall-planted garlic goes in for next year. Use row covers and cold frames to push harvests past the October 8 first frost.
Aug - early Sep
Cold-hardy; can overwinter under mulch for an early spring crop.
Aug - early Sep
Cooler fall days improve flavor; protect from first frosts.
Aug - Sep
Thrives in fall cool; very frost-tolerant.
Aug - Sep
Fast mild mustard; great in fall salad mixes.
Aug - Sep
Cold-hardy Asian green; sweetens after frost.
Aug - Sep
Spicy fall green; tolerates light frost.
Aug - Sep
Quick fall crop; sow up to ~4 weeks before frost.
Aug
Sow by mid-August for full-size roots before hard freeze.
Aug
Fall roots sweeten with frost; greens are edible too.
Late Jul - Aug
Fall crop matures in cool weather; mulch to extend.
Late Jul - early Aug
Fall carrots are sweetest after frost; mulch heavily to overwinter.
Aug
Frost makes it sweeter; harvest well into November under cover.
Aug
Very frost-hardy; flavor improves after a freeze.
Late Jul - Aug
Keeps cropping into fall; protect from hard freezes.
Late Jul - Aug
Set out summer-started transplants for a fall harvest.
Late Jul - Aug
Fall heads form in cool weather; needs steady moisture.
Late Jul - Aug
Fall cabbage stores well; tolerates frost.
Late Jul - Aug
Best as a fall crop; bolts in spring heat.
Aug
Fall planting avoids spring bolting.
Aug
Fast fall bulbs; sweetens in cool weather.
Sep
Extremely cold-hardy; overwinters for very early spring greens.
Sep
Cold-frame green; harvests through winter under cover.
Aug - Sep
Fall cool keeps it from bolting quickly.
Late Sep - Oct
Plant cloves 4-6 weeks before ground freezes; mulch heavily.
Late Jul - early Aug
Fall pea crop matures before hard frost if sown early enough.
What to Plant in Winter
Outdoor planting essentially stops in zone 5 winter — the ground freezes and snow cover is common. This is the season for indoor seed-starting under lights, garden planning and ordering, protecting overwintering crops (mulched garlic, carrots, mâche in cold frames), and harvesting from cold frames or storage rather than sowing outdoors.
Late Feb - Mar
Slow to germinate; start indoors under lights for May transplant.
Jan - Feb
Long-day onions need an early indoor start to size up.
Feb
Start indoors early; long season to maturity.
Feb
Very slow from seed; needs a long indoor head start.
Feb
Long season; start indoors in late winter.
Late Feb - Mar
Needs warmth and a long start; sow indoors under lights.
Mar
Start 6-8 weeks before May 15; not before late winter to avoid leggy plants.
Save a planting from your zone 5 calendar
Choose a crop and a date that suits your local conditions. Create a free account or sign in, then review and save your planting plan. Your saved plan is available on web, iOS, and Android.
Zone calendars are starting points, not local forecasts. Check local frost dates, soil temperature, and the crop's planting instructions before choosing a date. This does not change your profile's zone.
Full Planting Timing Table
Start-indoors, direct-sow, transplant, and harvest windows for every crop in zone 5.
Vegetables
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amaranth (Leaf) | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Heat-tolerant green; harvest leaves young. |
| Arugula | — | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | Thrives in fall cool; very frost-tolerant. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Apr - early May | — | Plant crowns in a permanent bed; first real harvest year 3. |
| Beet | — | Late Jul - Aug | — | — | Tolerates light frost; thin for good roots. |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | — | Aug | Apr | — | Fall planting avoids spring bolting. |
| Broccoli | Jun - Jul | — | Late Jul - Aug | — | Set out summer-started transplants for a fall harvest. |
| Bush Bean | — | Late May - Jul | — | — | Succession sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest. |
| Cabbage | Jun - Jul | — | Late Jul - Aug | — | Fall cabbage stores well; tolerates frost. |
| Carrot | — | Late Jul - early Aug | — | — | Sow once soil is workable; keep seedbed moist for germination. |
| Cauliflower | — | — | Late Jul - Aug | — | Fall heads form in cool weather; needs steady moisture. |
| Celeriac | Feb | — | — | — | Long season; start indoors in late winter. |
| Celery | Feb | — | — | — | Very slow from seed; needs a long indoor head start. |
| Claytonia (Miner's Lettuce) | — | Sep | — | — | Cold-frame green; harvests through winter under cover. |
| Collards | — | — | Aug | — | Very frost-hardy; flavor improves after a freeze. |
| Corn (Sweet) | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Plant in blocks for pollination; soil must be warm. |
| Cowpea / Southern Pea | — | Jun | — | — | Heat-loving; sow once soil is thoroughly warm. |
| Cucumber | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Sow in warm soil; trellis to save space. |
| Daikon Radish | — | Aug | — | — | Sow by mid-August for full-size roots before hard freeze. |
| Edamame (Soybean) | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Harvest pods when plump and bright green. |
| Eggplant | Mar | — | Late May - early Jun | — | Loves heat; use row cover early to hold warmth. |
| Fava Bean | — | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | Cool-season legume; sow as early as soil permits. |
| Garden Pea | — | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | Sow as soon as soil can be worked; tolerates light frost. |
| Garlic | — | — | Late Sep - Oct | — | Plant cloves 4-6 weeks before ground freezes; mulch heavily. |
| Husk-less / Pie Pumpkin | — | Late May - early Jun | — | — | Sow promptly to reach maturity before fall frost. |
| Kale | — | — | Aug | — | Frost makes it sweeter; harvest well into November under cover. |
| Kohlrabi | — | Aug | Apr - May | — | Fast brassica; harvest before bulbs get woody. |
| Leek | Feb | — | Apr - May | — | Start indoors early; long season to maturity. |
| Lettuce | — | Late Mar - May | — | — | Cooler fall days improve flavor; protect from first frosts. |
| Lima Bean | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Needs warm soil and full season; choose early varieties in zone 5. |
| Mizuna | — | Aug - Sep | — | — | Fast mild mustard; great in fall salad mixes. |
| Mustard Greens | — | Aug - Sep | — | — | Spicy fall green; tolerates light frost. |
| Napa Cabbage | — | — | Late Jul - Aug | — | Best as a fall crop; bolts in spring heat. |
| New Zealand Spinach | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Heat-tolerant spinach substitute for summer harvest. |
| Okra | — | — | Jun | — | Needs steady heat; start indoors and transplant into the warmest spot. |
| Onion (Bulb) | Jan - Feb | — | Apr | — | Long-day onions need an early indoor start to size up. |
| Pac/Corn Salad (Mâche) | — | Sep | — | — | Extremely cold-hardy; overwinters for very early spring greens. |
| Parsnip | — | Apr - early May | — | — | Slow to germinate; flavor improves with fall frost. |
| Pepper (Bell & Hot) | Mar | — | Late May - early Jun | — | Slow to germinate; start indoors under lights for May transplant. |
| Pole Bean | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Trellis; produces over a long window. |
| Pole/Runner Bean (Scarlet) | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Attractive flowers; pick pods young. |
| Potato | — | Apr - early May | — | — | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost; hill as they grow. |
| Pumpkin | — | Late May - early Jun | — | — | Long season; sow early for Halloween-size fruit. |
| Radish | — | Late Mar - May | — | — | Ready in 25-30 days; succession sow. |
| Rhubarb | — | — | Apr | — | Plant crowns; perennial, do not harvest first year. |
| Scallion / Green Onion | — | Apr - May | — | — | Very cold tolerant. |
| Shallot | — | — | Apr | — | Plant sets early; harvest mid-summer. |
| Snap / Snow Pea | — | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | Direct sow early; trellis tall varieties. |
| Spinach | — | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | Cold-hardy; can overwinter under mulch for an early spring crop. |
| Summer Squash | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Harvest young and often. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Late Jul - Aug | — | — | Keeps cropping into fall; protect from hard freezes. |
| Tatsoi | — | Aug - Sep | — | — | Cold-hardy Asian green; sweetens after frost. |
| Tomatillo | — | — | Late May - early Jun | — | Plant at least two for pollination. |
| Tomato | Mar | — | Late May - early Jun | — | Set out after May 15; stake or cage and mulch. |
| Turnip | — | Aug | — | — | Quick spring crop; harvest before summer heat. |
| Winter Squash | — | Late May - early Jun | — | — | Needs full season; sow promptly after frost to mature by October. |
| Zucchini | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Extremely productive; one or two plants is plenty. |
Herbs
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Apr | — | Late May - Jun | — | Pinch tops to keep it bushy; never let it frost. |
| Chives | — | — | Apr - May | — | Perennial; divides easily. |
| Cilantro / Coriander | — | Aug - Sep | — | — | Fall cool keeps it from bolting quickly. |
| Dill | — | Apr - May | — | — | Direct sow; self-seeds readily. |
| Parsley | — | — | Apr - May | — | Slow germinator; start indoors or buy transplants. |
Fruits
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Cherry | — | — | Late May - early Jun | — | Sprawling habit; fruit ready when husks drop. |
| Muskmelon / Cantaloupe | — | — | Late May - early Jun | — | Use black plastic mulch and row cover for heat in zone 5. |
| Strawberry | — | — | Apr - May | — | Plant bare-root crowns in early spring; pinch first-year blooms. |
| Watermelon | — | — | Late May - early Jun | — | Choose short-season varieties; needs warm soil and heat. |
Flowers
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmos | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Thrives in lean soil; great pollinator plant. |
| Marigold | — | — | Late May - Jun | — | Good pest-deterrent companion among vegetables. |
| Nasturtium | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Edible flowers; trap crop for aphids. |
| Sunflower | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Direct sow; choose dwarf or mammoth as desired. |
| Zinnia | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Heat-loving cut flower; deadhead for more blooms. |
Zone 5a vs Zone 5b
USDA divides every hardiness zone into two half-zones based on average annual minimum temperature: zone 5a is the cooler half and zone 5b the warmer, 5°F apart. Seed packets and nursery tags usually quote the full zone, but the half-zone is what decides your edge cases — the borderline perennial that survives in 5b and dies in 5a, or the extra week of fall growing 5b buys you.
The dates on this page are zone 5 averages. If you're in zone 5a, treat your last spring frost as about a week later and your first fall frost as about a week earlier than the dates above. In zone 5b, you get roughly a week of grace on each end. Your own microclimate — slope, shelter, pavement, elevation — can swing dates as much as the half-zone does, which is why tracking your garden's actual frost dates beats any table within a season or two.
Want the dates already shifted? See the zone 5a planting schedule and the zone 5b planting guide.
Zone 5 Growing Tips
- ✓ Count back from the May 15 average last frost when starting seeds indoors: tomatoes 6-8 weeks (mid-to-late March), peppers and eggplant 8-10 weeks (early-to-mid March), onions and leeks 10-12 weeks (January-February).
- ✓ Harden off all indoor-started transplants over 7-10 days before setting them out, and keep row cover or old sheets handy through late May for surprise frosts (10% of years see frost as late as May 28).
- ✓ Use season-extension gear aggressively: black plastic mulch and row cover give melons, watermelon and okra the soil warmth they need to ripen, and cold frames or low tunnels push spinach, mâche and kale harvests well past the October 8 first frost.
- ✓ Plant garlic in late September to mid-October, 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes, then mulch heavily with straw; harvest the following July.
- ✓ Sow fall successions of carrots, beets and brassicas in late July through August so they mature in the cool, sweet days of September-October before hard freeze; frost actually improves flavor of kale, carrots and parsnips.
- ✓ Choose short-season varieties for marginal heat-lovers (watermelon, lima bean, winter squash, melons) since zone 5's ~146-day season is tight for long-maturity types — pick cultivars rated under ~85-90 days where possible.
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Sign Up FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What can I plant in spring in zone 5?
In zone 5, spring planting includes Garden Pea, Snap / Snow Pea, Spinach, Lettuce, Arugula, Radish, Carrot, Beet, and more. See the spring section above for each crop's timing.
What is the last frost date for zone 5?
The average last spring frost date for USDA zone 5 is May 15. The first fall frost typically arrives around Oct 8, giving a growing season of approximately 146 days.
When is the first frost in zone 5?
The average first fall frost in USDA zone 5 arrives around Oct 8. That is an average, not a guarantee — the actual first frost varies by up to 2 weeks either way, so watch your local forecast from a few weeks before that date and have row covers ready for tender crops still in the ground.
When can I start seeds indoors in zone 5?
In zone 5, start crops like Tomato indoors around Late Mar - Apr. Check the seasonal sections above for each crop's indoor-sowing window.
What can I plant in fall in zone 5?
Fall planting in zone 5 includes Spinach, Lettuce, Arugula, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Mustard Greens, Radish, Daikon Radish, and more.
How long is the growing season in zone 5?
Zone 5 has an average growing season of 146 days, from the last spring frost around May 15 to the first fall frost around Oct 8.
What is the difference between zone 5a and zone 5b?
USDA splits every zone into two half-zones 5°F apart: zone 5a is the cooler half and zone 5b the warmer. The planting dates on this page are zone 5 averages — if you're in 5a, shift spring plantings about a week later and fall plantings about a week earlier; in 5b, shift about a week the other way.
What to plant right now
Month-specific guides for zone 5, hand-tuned to current frost dates and crop windows.
- What to Plant in October: Garlic Month, Cover Crops, and the Southern Fall Garden — What to plant in October: garlic goes in across zones 3-7, cover crops hit their deadline, and zones 8-10 plant the best garden of their year.
Learn more: When to plant vegetables by zone