Zone 5a planting calendar
When to start vegetables in USDA hardiness zone 5a. Typical last spring frost around May 4, 2027 (±9 days year to year), first fall frost around Oct 6, 2027 (±9 days). Based on 2,453 ZIP codes in the zone — exact dates vary by location.
Playing it safe? Spring frost holds off until about May 15, 2027 in roughly 9 years out of 10 — a good target for tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
Zone 5a covers a lot of ground. Enter your ZIP for frost dates from your nearest weather station and a month-by-month calendar:
Month by month in zone 5a
January
- Start seeds indoors: Bunching Onion
- Start seeds indoors: Leek
- Start seeds indoors: Onion
- Start seeds indoors: Shallot
February
- Start seeds indoors: Agastache
- Start seeds indoors: Alpine Strawberry
- Start seeds indoors: Artichoke
- Start seeds indoors: Arugula
- Start seeds indoors: Celeriac
- Start seeds indoors: Celery
- Start seeds indoors: Chinese Celery
- Start seeds indoors: Chive
- Start seeds indoors: Collard
- Start seeds indoors: Echinacea
- Start seeds indoors: Garlic Chives
- Start seeds indoors: Hamburg Parsley
- Start seeds indoors: Horehound
- Start seeds indoors: Kale
- Start seeds indoors: Lavender
- Start seeds indoors: Parsley
- Start seeds indoors: Sage
- Start seeds indoors: Siberian Kale
- Start seeds indoors: Tarragon
- Start seeds indoors: Tat Soi
- Start seeds indoors: Thyme
- Start seeds indoors: Veined Catmint
March
- Start seeds indoors: Achillea
- Start seeds indoors: Aji Pepper
- Start seeds indoors: Angelica
- Start seeds indoors: Bee Balm
- Start seeds indoors: Bishop's Flower
- Start seeds indoors: Bok Choy
- Start seeds indoors: Broccoli
- Start seeds indoors: Broccoli Raab
- Start seeds indoors: Brussels Sprouts
- Start seeds indoors: Cabbage
- Start seeds indoors: Calendula
- Start seeds indoors: Cape Gooseberry
- Start seeds indoors: Cardoon
- Start seeds indoors: Catnip
- Start seeds indoors: Cauliflower
- Start seeds indoors: Celtuce / Stem Lettuce
- Start seeds indoors: Chicory
- Start seeds indoors: Chiltepin Pepper
- Start seeds indoors: Chinese Broccoli
- Start seeds indoors: Chinese Cabbage
- Start seeds indoors: Chrysanthemum Greens
- Start seeds indoors: Clasping Coneflower
- Start seeds indoors: Creeping Thyme
- Start seeds indoors: Dandelion
- Start seeds indoors: Eggplant
- Start seeds indoors: Endive
- Start seeds indoors: Ethiopian Eggplant
- Start seeds indoors: Ethiopian Kale
- Start seeds indoors: Evening Primrose
- Start seeds indoors: Ground Cherry
- Start seeds indoors: Hybrid Coneflower
- Start seeds indoors: Hyssop
- Start seeds indoors: Japanese Mugwort
- Start seeds indoors: Kohlrabi
- Start seeds indoors: Komatsuna Mustard
- Start seeds indoors: Korean Mint
- Start seeds indoors: Lemon Balm
- Start seeds indoors: Lemon Mint
- Start seeds indoors: Lettuce
- Start seeds indoors: Lovage
- Start seeds indoors: Malabar Spinach
- Start seeds indoors: Marjoram
- Start seeds indoors: Mexican Tarragon
- Start seeds indoors: Mibuna
- Start seeds indoors: Mitsuba
- Start seeds indoors: Mizuna
- Start seeds indoors: Oregano
- Start seeds indoors: Paracress
- Start seeds indoors: Pennyroyal Mint
- Start seeds indoors: Pepper (Habanero)
- Start seeds indoors: Pepper (Hot)
- Start seeds indoors: Pepper (Sweet & Hot)
- Start seeds indoors: Pepper (Tabasco)
- Start seeds indoors: Purple Yu Choy Sum
- Start seeds indoors: Radicchio
- Start seeds indoors: Roman Chamomile
- Start seeds indoors: Romanesco Broccoli
- Start seeds indoors: Roselle
- Start seeds indoors: Rue
- Start seeds indoors: Russian Kale
- Start seeds indoors: Russian Sage
- Start seeds indoors: Salad Burnet
- Start seeds indoors: Savory
- Start seeds indoors: Sheep Sorrel
- Start seeds indoors: Soapwort
- Start seeds indoors: Stevia
- Start seeds indoors: Sweet Woodruff
- Start seeds indoors: Tansy
- Start seeds indoors: Tomatillo
- Start seeds indoors: Tomato
- Start seeds indoors: Vietnamese Culantro
- Start seeds indoors: Water Pepper
- Start seeds indoors: Wormwood
- Start seeds indoors: Yarrow
- Start seeds indoors: Yu Choy Sum
- Start hardening off: Arugula
- Start hardening off: Collard
- Start hardening off: Kale
- Start hardening off: Siberian Kale
- Start hardening off: Tat Soi
April
- Start seeds indoors: Amaranth
- Start seeds indoors: Amaranthus
- Start seeds indoors: Armenian Cucumber
- Start seeds indoors: Basil
- Start seeds indoors: Black Cumin / Nigella
- Start seeds indoors: Burdock
- Start seeds indoors: Chamomile
- Start seeds indoors: Chinese Toon
- Start seeds indoors: Cucamelon
- Start seeds indoors: Cucumber
- Start seeds indoors: Epazote
- Start seeds indoors: Feverfew
- Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Angled Luffa)
- Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Bitter)
- Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Bottle)
- Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Luffa)
- Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Ornamental)
- Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Turban)
- Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Wax)
- Start seeds indoors: Grain Amaranth
- Start seeds indoors: Holy Basil
- Start seeds indoors: Huauzontle
- Start seeds indoors: Korean Summer Squash
- Start seeds indoors: Lemon Basil
- Start seeds indoors: Lime Basil
- Start seeds indoors: Misome
- Start seeds indoors: Nasturtium
- Start seeds indoors: Orach
- Start seeds indoors: Pumpkin
- Start seeds indoors: Pumpkin (Maxima)
- Start seeds indoors: Pumpkin (Moschata)
- Start seeds indoors: Shiso
- Start seeds indoors: Strawberry Spinach
- Start seeds indoors: Summer Savory
- Start seeds indoors: Summer Squash
- Start seeds indoors: Sweet Annie
- Start seeds indoors: Thai Basil
- Start seeds indoors: Watermelon
- Start seeds indoors: West Indian Gherkin
- Start seeds indoors: Wild Arugula
- Start seeds indoors: Winged Bean
- Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Acorn)
- Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Banana)
- Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Buttercup)
- Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Butternut)
- Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Cushaw)
- Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Delicata)
- Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Hubbard)
- Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Spaghetti)
- Start hardening off: Achillea
- Start hardening off: Agastache
- Start hardening off: Angelica
- Start hardening off: Artichoke
- Start hardening off: Bee Balm
- Start hardening off: Bishop's Flower
- Start hardening off: Bok Choy
- Start hardening off: Broccoli
- Start hardening off: Broccoli Raab
- Start hardening off: Brussels Sprouts
- Start hardening off: Bunching Onion
- Start hardening off: Burdock
- Start hardening off: Cabbage
- Start hardening off: Calendula
- Start hardening off: Cardoon
- Start hardening off: Catnip
- Start hardening off: Cauliflower
- Start hardening off: Celeriac
- Start hardening off: Celery
- Start hardening off: Celtuce / Stem Lettuce
- Start hardening off: Chicory
- Start hardening off: Chinese Broccoli
- Start hardening off: Chinese Cabbage
- Start hardening off: Chinese Celery
- Start hardening off: Chive
- Start hardening off: Chrysanthemum Greens
- Start hardening off: Clasping Coneflower
- Start hardening off: Dandelion
- Start hardening off: Echinacea
- Start hardening off: Endive
- Start hardening off: Ethiopian Kale
- Start hardening off: Evening Primrose
- Start hardening off: Garlic Chives
- Start hardening off: Hamburg Parsley
- Start hardening off: Horehound
- Start hardening off: Huauzontle
- Start hardening off: Hyssop
- Start hardening off: Kohlrabi
- Start hardening off: Komatsuna Mustard
- Start hardening off: Leek
- Start hardening off: Lemon Balm
- Start hardening off: Lemon Mint
- Start hardening off: Lettuce
- Start hardening off: Lovage
- Start hardening off: Mibuna
- Start hardening off: Misome
- Start hardening off: Mitsuba
- Start hardening off: Mizuna
- Start hardening off: Onion
- Start hardening off: Orach
- Start hardening off: Parsley
- Start hardening off: Purple Yu Choy Sum
- Start hardening off: Radicchio
- Start hardening off: Roman Chamomile
- Start hardening off: Romanesco Broccoli
- Start hardening off: Rue
- Start hardening off: Russian Kale
- Start hardening off: Sage
- Start hardening off: Salad Burnet
- Start hardening off: Shallot
- Start hardening off: Sheep Sorrel
- Start hardening off: Soapwort
- Start hardening off: Strawberry Spinach
- Start hardening off: Sweet Woodruff
- Start hardening off: Tansy
- Start hardening off: Tarragon
- Start hardening off: Thyme
- Start hardening off: Veined Catmint
- Start hardening off: Wormwood
- Start hardening off: Yu Choy Sum
- Direct sow outdoors: Arugula
- Direct sow outdoors: Asian Greens
- Direct sow outdoors: Beet
- Direct sow outdoors: Carrot
- Direct sow outdoors: Cilantro
- Direct sow outdoors: Corn Salad
- Direct sow outdoors: Daikon Radish
- Direct sow outdoors: Fava Bean
- Direct sow outdoors: Leaf Radish
- Direct sow outdoors: Miner's Lettuce
- Direct sow outdoors: New Zealand Spinach
- Direct sow outdoors: Parsnip
- Direct sow outdoors: Pea
- Direct sow outdoors: Radish
- Direct sow outdoors: Red-Veined Sorrel
- Direct sow outdoors: Rutabaga
- Direct sow outdoors: Shell Pea
- Direct sow outdoors: Snap Pea
- Direct sow outdoors: Snow Pea
- Direct sow outdoors: Sorrel
- Direct sow outdoors: Spinach
- Direct sow outdoors: Swiss Chard
- Direct sow outdoors: Turnip
- Transplant outdoors: Arugula
- Transplant outdoors: Bok Choy
- Transplant outdoors: Broccoli
- Transplant outdoors: Broccoli Raab
- Transplant outdoors: Brussels Sprouts
- Transplant outdoors: Bunching Onion
- Transplant outdoors: Cabbage
- Transplant outdoors: Cauliflower
- Transplant outdoors: Celtuce / Stem Lettuce
- Transplant outdoors: Chicory
- Transplant outdoors: Chinese Broccoli
- Transplant outdoors: Chinese Cabbage
- Transplant outdoors: Chive
- Transplant outdoors: Collard
- Transplant outdoors: Echinacea
- Transplant outdoors: Endive
- Transplant outdoors: Garlic Chives
- Transplant outdoors: Hamburg Parsley
- Transplant outdoors: Kale
- Transplant outdoors: Kohlrabi
- Transplant outdoors: Komatsuna Mustard
- Transplant outdoors: Leek
- Transplant outdoors: Lettuce
- Transplant outdoors: Mibuna
- Transplant outdoors: Mizuna
- Transplant outdoors: Onion
- Transplant outdoors: Parsley
- Transplant outdoors: Purple Yu Choy Sum
- Transplant outdoors: Radicchio
- Transplant outdoors: Romanesco Broccoli
- Transplant outdoors: Russian Kale
- Transplant outdoors: Shallot
- Transplant outdoors: Siberian Kale
- Transplant outdoors: Tat Soi
- Transplant outdoors: Yu Choy Sum
- Plant outdoors: Horseradish
- Plant outdoors: Jerusalem Artichoke
- Plant outdoors: Potato
May
- Start seeds indoors: Melon
- Start seeds indoors: Melon (Pickling)
- Start seeds indoors: Okra
- Start hardening off: Aji Pepper
- Start hardening off: Alpine Strawberry
- Start hardening off: Amaranth
- Start hardening off: Amaranthus
- Start hardening off: Armenian Cucumber
- Start hardening off: Basil
- Start hardening off: Black Cumin / Nigella
- Start hardening off: Cape Gooseberry
- Start hardening off: Chamomile
- Start hardening off: Chiltepin Pepper
- Start hardening off: Chinese Toon
- Start hardening off: Creeping Thyme
- Start hardening off: Cucamelon
- Start hardening off: Cucumber
- Start hardening off: Eggplant
- Start hardening off: Epazote
- Start hardening off: Ethiopian Eggplant
- Start hardening off: Feverfew
- Start hardening off: Gourd (Angled Luffa)
- Start hardening off: Gourd (Bitter)
- Start hardening off: Gourd (Bottle)
- Start hardening off: Gourd (Luffa)
- Start hardening off: Gourd (Ornamental)
- Start hardening off: Gourd (Turban)
- Start hardening off: Gourd (Wax)
- Start hardening off: Grain Amaranth
- Start hardening off: Ground Cherry
- Start hardening off: Holy Basil
- Start hardening off: Hybrid Coneflower
- Start hardening off: Japanese Mugwort
- Start hardening off: Korean Mint
- Start hardening off: Korean Summer Squash
- Start hardening off: Lavender
- Start hardening off: Lemon Basil
- Start hardening off: Lime Basil
- Start hardening off: Malabar Spinach
- Start hardening off: Marjoram
- Start hardening off: Melon
- Start hardening off: Melon (Pickling)
- Start hardening off: Mexican Tarragon
- Start hardening off: Nasturtium
- Start hardening off: Okra
- Start hardening off: Oregano
- Start hardening off: Paracress
- Start hardening off: Pennyroyal Mint
- Start hardening off: Pepper (Habanero)
- Start hardening off: Pepper (Hot)
- Start hardening off: Pepper (Sweet & Hot)
- Start hardening off: Pepper (Tabasco)
- Start hardening off: Pumpkin
- Start hardening off: Pumpkin (Maxima)
- Start hardening off: Pumpkin (Moschata)
- Start hardening off: Roselle
- Start hardening off: Russian Sage
- Start hardening off: Savory
- Start hardening off: Shiso
- Start hardening off: Stevia
- Start hardening off: Summer Savory
- Start hardening off: Summer Squash
- Start hardening off: Sweet Annie
- Start hardening off: Thai Basil
- Start hardening off: Tomatillo
- Start hardening off: Tomato
- Start hardening off: Vietnamese Culantro
- Start hardening off: Water Pepper
- Start hardening off: Watermelon
- Start hardening off: West Indian Gherkin
- Start hardening off: Wild Arugula
- Start hardening off: Winged Bean
- Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Acorn)
- Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Banana)
- Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Buttercup)
- Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Butternut)
- Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Cushaw)
- Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Delicata)
- Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Hubbard)
- Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Spaghetti)
- Start hardening off: Yarrow
- Direct sow outdoors: Anise
- Direct sow outdoors: Bean
- Direct sow outdoors: Black Salsify
- Direct sow outdoors: Borage
- Direct sow outdoors: Bronze Fennel
- Direct sow outdoors: Caraway
- Direct sow outdoors: Catmint
- Direct sow outdoors: Chervil
- Direct sow outdoors: Corn
- Direct sow outdoors: Cress
- Direct sow outdoors: Cumin
- Direct sow outdoors: Dill
- Direct sow outdoors: Fennel
- Direct sow outdoors: Fenugreek
- Direct sow outdoors: Lemongrass
- Direct sow outdoors: Lima Bean
- Direct sow outdoors: Mugwort
- Direct sow outdoors: Mustard
- Direct sow outdoors: Oregano (Greek)
- Direct sow outdoors: Peppermint
- Direct sow outdoors: Purslane
- Direct sow outdoors: Rosemary
- Direct sow outdoors: Runner Bean
- Direct sow outdoors: Salsify
- Direct sow outdoors: Soy Bean
- Direct sow outdoors: Spearmint
- Direct sow outdoors: Strawberry
- Direct sow outdoors: Watercress
- Direct sow outdoors: Yardlong Bean
- Transplant outdoors: Achillea
- Transplant outdoors: Agastache
- Transplant outdoors: Aji Pepper
- Transplant outdoors: Alpine Strawberry
- Transplant outdoors: Amaranth
- Transplant outdoors: Amaranthus
- Transplant outdoors: Angelica
- Transplant outdoors: Armenian Cucumber
- Transplant outdoors: Artichoke
- Transplant outdoors: Basil
- Transplant outdoors: Bee Balm
- Transplant outdoors: Bishop's Flower
- Transplant outdoors: Black Cumin / Nigella
- Transplant outdoors: Burdock
- Transplant outdoors: Calendula
- Transplant outdoors: Cape Gooseberry
- Transplant outdoors: Cardoon
- Transplant outdoors: Catnip
- Transplant outdoors: Celeriac
- Transplant outdoors: Celery
- Transplant outdoors: Chamomile
- Transplant outdoors: Chiltepin Pepper
- Transplant outdoors: Chinese Celery
- Transplant outdoors: Chinese Toon
- Transplant outdoors: Chrysanthemum Greens
- Transplant outdoors: Clasping Coneflower
- Transplant outdoors: Creeping Thyme
- Transplant outdoors: Cucamelon
- Transplant outdoors: Cucumber
- Transplant outdoors: Dandelion
- Transplant outdoors: Eggplant
- Transplant outdoors: Epazote
- Transplant outdoors: Ethiopian Eggplant
- Transplant outdoors: Ethiopian Kale
- Transplant outdoors: Evening Primrose
- Transplant outdoors: Feverfew
- Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Angled Luffa)
- Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Bitter)
- Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Bottle)
- Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Luffa)
- Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Ornamental)
- Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Turban)
- Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Wax)
- Transplant outdoors: Grain Amaranth
- Transplant outdoors: Ground Cherry
- Transplant outdoors: Holy Basil
- Transplant outdoors: Horehound
- Transplant outdoors: Huauzontle
- Transplant outdoors: Hybrid Coneflower
- Transplant outdoors: Hyssop
- Transplant outdoors: Japanese Mugwort
- Transplant outdoors: Korean Mint
- Transplant outdoors: Korean Summer Squash
- Transplant outdoors: Lavender
- Transplant outdoors: Lemon Balm
- Transplant outdoors: Lemon Basil
- Transplant outdoors: Lemon Mint
- Transplant outdoors: Lime Basil
- Transplant outdoors: Lovage
- Transplant outdoors: Malabar Spinach
- Transplant outdoors: Marjoram
- Transplant outdoors: Melon
- Transplant outdoors: Melon (Pickling)
- Transplant outdoors: Mexican Tarragon
- Transplant outdoors: Misome
- Transplant outdoors: Mitsuba
- Transplant outdoors: Nasturtium
- Transplant outdoors: Okra
- Transplant outdoors: Orach
- Transplant outdoors: Oregano
- Transplant outdoors: Paracress
- Transplant outdoors: Pennyroyal Mint
- Transplant outdoors: Pepper (Habanero)
- Transplant outdoors: Pepper (Hot)
- Transplant outdoors: Pepper (Sweet & Hot)
- Transplant outdoors: Pepper (Tabasco)
- Transplant outdoors: Pumpkin
- Transplant outdoors: Pumpkin (Maxima)
- Transplant outdoors: Pumpkin (Moschata)
- Transplant outdoors: Roman Chamomile
- Transplant outdoors: Roselle
- Transplant outdoors: Rue
- Transplant outdoors: Russian Sage
- Transplant outdoors: Sage
- Transplant outdoors: Salad Burnet
- Transplant outdoors: Savory
- Transplant outdoors: Sheep Sorrel
- Transplant outdoors: Shiso
- Transplant outdoors: Soapwort
- Transplant outdoors: Stevia
- Transplant outdoors: Strawberry Spinach
- Transplant outdoors: Summer Savory
- Transplant outdoors: Summer Squash
- Transplant outdoors: Sweet Annie
- Transplant outdoors: Sweet Woodruff
- Transplant outdoors: Tansy
- Transplant outdoors: Tarragon
- Transplant outdoors: Thai Basil
- Transplant outdoors: Thyme
- Transplant outdoors: Tomatillo
- Transplant outdoors: Tomato
- Transplant outdoors: Veined Catmint
- Transplant outdoors: Vietnamese Culantro
- Transplant outdoors: Water Pepper
- Transplant outdoors: Watermelon
- Transplant outdoors: West Indian Gherkin
- Transplant outdoors: Wild Arugula
- Transplant outdoors: Winged Bean
- Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Acorn)
- Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Banana)
- Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Buttercup)
- Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Butternut)
- Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Cushaw)
- Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Delicata)
- Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Hubbard)
- Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Spaghetti)
- Transplant outdoors: Wormwood
- Transplant outdoors: Yarrow
- Plant outdoors: Asparagus
- Plant outdoors: Blueberry
- Plant outdoors: Ginger
- Plant outdoors: Rhubarb
- Plant outdoors: Sweet Potato
- Plant outdoors: Turmeric
August
- Plant outdoors: Elephant Garlic
- Plant outdoors: Garlic
When to plant each crop in zone 5a
Exact indoor-sow, transplant, and direct-sow windows for zone 5a’s most-planted vegetables.
- Arugula
- Arugula
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Bean
- Beet
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrot
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Cilantro
- Collard
- Corn
- Cucumber
- Dill
- Eggplant
- Garlic
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Leek
- Lettuce
- Melon
- Mustard
- Okra
- Onion
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- Pea
- Pepper (Hot)
- Pepper (Sweet & Hot)
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Radish
- Snap Pea
- Spinach
- Strawberry
- Summer Squash
- Sweet Potato
- Swiss Chard
- Tomato
- Turnip
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash (Acorn)
- Winter Squash (Butternut)
- Winter Squash (Spaghetti)
Where these dates come from
Frost dates for zone 5aare NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from a representative location (Mexico, ME). A hardiness zone spans thousands of miles, so no single station speaks for all of it. The guide to zones and frost dates covers what that means for your timing.
Your exact dates depend on your address and microclimate. Schedules are guidance, not guarantees.