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Zone 5b planting calendar

When to start vegetables in USDA hardiness zone 5b. Typical last spring frost around May 1, 2026 11 days year to year), first fall frost around Oct 12, 202610 days). Based on 2,951 ZIP codes in the zone — exact dates vary by location.

Playing it safe? Spring frost holds off until about May 15, 2026 in roughly 9 years out of 10 — a good target for tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.

Want exact dates for your address, a drag-and-drop bed layout, and reminders when it’s time to sow? Enter your ZIP:

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Still time to plant

As of today, these crops can still reach harvest before zone 5b’s first frost (~Oct 12, 2026) — fastest first.

Month by month in zone 5b

January

February

March

April

May

August

Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals for a representative location (Beloit, WI) in zone 5b; your exact dates depend on your address. Schedules are guidance, not guarantees.