Seasonal Planting Calendar: What to Plant Each Month by Zone
Francis Karuri
Landscape & AI Correspondent
Most planting calendars tell you to plant tomatoes in spring and garlic in fall. That is the whole advice. They do not tell you whether you live in a zone where tomatoes are direct-sown in late April or started indoors in February and transplanted out in June. The gap between those two answers is the difference between a productive season and a wasted one.
This calendar is organised by USDA zone first, month second. Every entry tells you what to sow indoors, what to direct-sow outside, what to plant out, and what to harvest — specific to where you actually garden. Zones 3 through 9 are covered. Use the month you are in, read across to your zone group, and you have a practical task list for this week.
How to Use This Calendar
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map divides the contiguous United States into zones based on average annual extreme minimum winter temperatures. Zones are numbered 1 (coldest) through 13 (warmest). This calendar groups zones into four practical bands that share similar last-frost and first-frost windows:
Northern states: MN, ND, WI, ME, northern MI, mountainous MT and ID. Last frost: late May to early June. First fall frost: early to mid-September.
Mid-states: IL, OH, PA, most of OR, NY, northern VA, KS, MO. Last frost: mid-April to early May. First fall frost: mid to late October.
Mid-south and Pacific Northwest coast: VA, NC, GA, SC, PNW coast, TN, AR, western WA and OR. Last frost: late March to mid-April. First fall frost: late October to mid-November.
Warm climates: coastal CA, FL, southern TX, AZ, HI. No reliable frost in Zone 10; Zone 9 sees occasional light frosts December–February.
Find your zone at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map by entering your zip code. Once you know your zone, go to the month you are currently in and read across the table for your zone band. For a full species-by-species zone reference, see the USDA Zone Plant Guide.
Each month section uses four task categories: Sow indoors (start seeds under lights in trays), Direct sow (seeds straight into garden soil), Plant out (move transplants or bare-root plants into the ground), and Harvest (what is ready to pick).
January & February
The planning months for cold climates. The growing season for warm ones.
January
| Zone | Sow Indoors | Direct Sow | Plant Out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zones 3–4 | Nothing yet; order seeds, plan crop rotation | Not possible (frozen ground) | Nothing | Stored root vegetables, greenhouse greens |
| Zones 5–6 | Onions, leeks, celery, celeriac (8–10 wks before last frost) | Nothing outdoors yet | Bare-root fruit trees and roses during dormancy | Overwintered kale, Brussels sprouts, stored crops |
| Zones 7–8 | Onions, leeks, peppers, early tomatoes (if last frost before April) | Spinach, mache, claytonia, peas (cold-hardy) | Bare-root trees and shrubs, garlic (if not done in fall) | Overwintered spinach, kale, carrots, leeks |
| Zones 9–10 | Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (start for spring planting) | Beets, carrots, lettuce, radishes, peas, chard, cilantro | Broccoli transplants, cabbage, onion sets, bare-root fruit trees | Broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, citrus, root vegetables |
February
| Zone | Sow Indoors | Direct Sow | Plant Out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zones 3–4 | Onions, leeks (late Feb) | Still frozen; not possible | Nothing | Stored crops, greenhouse greens |
| Zones 5–6 | Peppers, onions, leeks, celery, petunias (10 wks before last frost) | Cold frame: spinach, mache, claytonia | Bare-root fruit trees (late Feb) | Overwintered greens, Brussels sprouts |
| Zones 7–8 | Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, summer squash (6–8 wks before last frost) | Peas, spinach, radishes, turnips, arugula | Broccoli, cabbage, onion transplants (in mild zones) | Kale, leeks, carrots, parsnips |
| Zones 9–10 | Cucumbers, melons, squash (for March transplant) | Beans (late Feb Zone 10), beets, carrots, chard, lettuce, peas | Tomato and pepper transplants (Zone 10), broccoli, cauliflower | Broccoli, lettuce, citrus, strawberries (Zone 10) |
March & April
The busiest indoor-sowing months for most of the country.
March
| Zone | Sow Indoors | Direct Sow | Plant Out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zones 3–4 | Onions, leeks, celery, peppers, early tomatoes | Cold frame only: spinach, lettuce | Nothing yet (frost likely through May) | Cold frame greens |
| Zones 5–6 | Tomatoes, basil, squash, cucumbers (late March) | Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, beets (early March) | Bare-root asparagus crowns, onion sets, shallots | Overwintered kale, early cold-frame spinach |
| Zones 7–8 | Basil, annual flowers, late squash succession | Beets, carrots, peas, turnips, chard, kale, lettuce | Broccoli, cabbage, onion, lettuce transplants | Spinach, kale, lettuce, radishes, early peas |
| Zones 9–10 | Second succession of squash and beans for summer | Beans, corn (Zone 10), cucumber, summer squash | Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, melons | Lettuce, peas, artichokes, broccoli, beets |
April
| Zone | Sow Indoors | Direct Sow | Plant Out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zones 3–4 | Tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, annual flowers | Peas, spinach, lettuce (late April, soil workable) | Onion sets, cold-hardy brassica transplants (late April) | Cold frame greens, early asparagus |
| Zones 5–6 | Last succession basil, annual flowers | Beets, carrots, chard, kale, arugula, peas, radishes | Broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, onion transplants; bare-root strawberries | Spinach, lettuce, radishes, asparagus |
| Zones 7–8 | Nothing needed — focus shifts to outdoor planting | Beans, corn, cucumbers, squash, sunflowers, beets, carrots | Tomatoes, peppers, basil, eggplant (after last frost) | Lettuce, peas, broccoli, spinach, radishes, asparagus |
| Zones 9–10 | Start fall crop seeds: broccoli, cauliflower (late April) | Beans, corn, basil; last cool-season crops ending | Sweet potatoes (slips), melons, heat-lovers | Tomatoes, lettuce (bolting soon), peas, fava beans |
May & June
The main outdoor planting window for most of the US.
May
| Zone | Sow Indoors | Direct Sow | Plant Out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zones 3–4 | Final successions: cucumbers, squash (late May) | Beets, carrots, peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes (early May) | Broccoli, cabbage, onions (early May); tomatoes and peppers after last frost | Asparagus, cold-frame lettuce, spinach, radishes |
| Zones 5–6 | Fall brassica starts (late May) | Beans, corn, cucumbers, squash, sunflowers, beets, chard | Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, basil, sweet potato slips | Lettuce, spinach, radishes, asparagus, strawberries |
| Zones 7–8 | Fall crop starts: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage | Second succession beans, cucumbers, squash | Sweet potato slips, okra, melons | Lettuce (before bolting), peas, beets, broccoli, strawberries, garlic scapes |
| Zones 9–10 | Broccoli, cauliflower, kale for fall | Okra, heat-tolerant cowpeas, sweet potatoes | Very little — heat limits planting; mulch and protect existing crops | Tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, peaches, early figs |
June
| Zone | Sow Indoors | Direct Sow | Plant Out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zones 3–4 | Fall brassica starts (late June: broccoli, cabbage) | Beans, corn, cucumbers, squash, beets, carrots; succession lettuce | Tomatoes, peppers, squash, basil (after last frost) | Strawberries, lettuce, radishes, early peas |
| Zones 5–6 | Fall broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower (10 wks before fall frost) | Succession beans, cucumbers, summer squash, beets | Sweet potato slips, okra, late pepper transplants | Peas, lettuce, strawberries, summer squash, garlic |
| Zones 7–8 | Fall crops: kale, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts | Heat-lovers: okra, Southern peas, sweet corn | Sweet potatoes, okra transplants | Tomatoes, cucumbers, summer squash, garlic, blueberries, peaches |
| Zones 9–10 | Prepare for fall garden: start tomatoes, peppers for second crop | Okra, sweet potatoes, heat-tolerant herbs | Minimal — summer heat window; maintain irrigation | Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, figs, stone fruit, mangoes (Zone 10) |
Planning a perennial border for your summer garden? See the Perennials for Your Garden guide for species that come back year after year with no replanting. Spring-flowering bulbs planted now to bloom next year are covered in the Bulbs in the Garden guide.
July & August
Peak harvest in most zones; the start of fall planning in warm climates.
July
| Zone | Sow Indoors | Direct Sow | Plant Out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zones 3–4 | Broccoli, cabbage for fall (8 wks before frost) | Succession beans, beets, kale, turnips, radishes | Late squash, early fall brassica transplants | Peas, early tomatoes, summer squash, beans, lettuce (bolting) |
| Zones 5–6 | Kale, chard, Chinese cabbage for fall | Succession carrots, beets, fall radishes, arugula, spinach (late July) | Fall broccoli and cabbage transplants | Tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, beans, blueberries, garlic (cured) |
| Zones 7–8 | Fall tomatoes (Zone 8, 8 wks before first frost) | Southern peas, okra, heat-tolerant basil | Fall broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts transplants (late July) | Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, peaches, blackberries |
| Zones 9–10 | Tomatoes, peppers for fall second crop (8–10 wks before Nov) | Okra, sweet potatoes; avoid starting new cool-season until mid-August | Little planting; focus on watering and shade | Summer squash, peppers, eggplant, figs, mangoes (Zone 10), okra |
August
| Zone | Sow Indoors | Direct Sow | Plant Out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zones 3–4 | Indoor sowing season winding down | Fast-maturing crops only: radishes, spinach, arugula, lettuce | Fall broccoli and cabbage transplants (early August) | Tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, corn, summer squash, blueberries |
| Zones 5–6 | Nothing needed | Spinach, arugula, kale, beets, radishes, turnips, carrots (succession) | Kale, chard, Chinese cabbage transplants; garlic (late August) | Tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, summer squash, peppers, onions (cured) |
| Zones 7–8 | Nothing needed — direct-sow fall crops | Carrots, beets, turnips, kale, lettuce, chard, spinach, arugula | Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage transplants; garlic (late August) | Tomatoes, peppers, sweet corn, melons, figs, peaches, summer squash |
| Zones 9–10 | Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage for Oct transplant | Beans (late Aug), beets, carrots — fall garden begins | Fall tomatoes and peppers from July starts | Peppers, eggplant, okra, sweet potatoes (some zones), figs |
September & October
Fall planting season — the most underused window in American gardening.
September
| Zone | Sow Indoors | Direct Sow | Plant Out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zones 3–4 | Season is effectively over for new plantings | Garlic (late Sept–Oct), winter rye cover crop | Spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils) | Winter squash, pumpkins, dry beans, potatoes, apples, root vegetables |
| Zones 5–6 | Nothing needed | Spinach, mache, arugula, lettuce (with row cover), garlic (late Sept) | Spring bulbs, cover crops, overwintering onions | Tomatoes (end of season), winter squash, apples, pears, root vegetables |
| Zones 7–8 | Nothing needed | Garlic, spinach, arugula, lettuce, kale, beets, radishes, carrots, turnips | Broccoli and cabbage transplants (Zone 8), spring bulbs | Fall tomatoes (Zone 8), peppers, winter squash, sweet potatoes, figs, grapes |
| Zones 9–10 | Onions, leeks (9–10 wks before transplant) | All cool-season crops: lettuce, spinach, peas, beets, carrots, radishes, chard | Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale transplants | Fall tomatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes, okra, pomegranates |
October
| Zone | Sow Indoors | Direct Sow | Plant Out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zones 3–4 | Nothing | Garlic (before ground freezes), winter rye cover crop | Spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils, alliums) | Root vegetables, storage crops, late apples, final herbs before frost |
| Zones 5–6 | Nothing needed | Garlic, spinach, mache (with cover); cover crops | Spring bulbs, bare-root trees and shrubs (late Oct) | Kale, Brussels sprouts, beets, carrots, parsnips, turnips, late apples |
| Zones 7–8 | Nothing needed | Spinach, arugula, kale, beets, carrots, lettuce, peas, cilantro | Garlic, onion sets, bare-root shrubs and trees, spring bulbs | Broccoli, cabbage, fall tomatoes (Zone 8), sweet potatoes, pecans |
| Zones 9–10 | Start warm-season crops for late winter (Zone 10): tomatoes, peppers | Peas, fava beans, onions, garlic, beets, carrots, chard, cilantro | Broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce transplants; bare-root fruit trees (late Oct) | Cool-season crops: lettuce, beets, chard; citrus starting; pomegranates |
Fall planting is one of the biggest productivity gains you can make in a home garden. The Fall Planting Guide covers the full autumn-to-spring strategy, including which crops survive frost under row cover and what to plant for early spring harvest. For a complete view of how to keep something growing across all four seasons, see the Year-Round Garden Plants guide.
November & December
The planning and preparation season in cold climates; a productive cool-season window in warm ones.
November
| Zone | Sow Indoors | Direct Sow | Plant Out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zones 3–4 | Nothing | Nothing (frozen) | Nothing | Stored root vegetables, greenhouse crops only |
| Zones 5–6 | Nothing | Nothing outdoors; cold frame: mache, spinach maintenance | Nothing (ground hardening) | Kale (improves with frost), Brussels sprouts, parsnips, stored crops |
| Zones 7–8 | Nothing needed | Spinach, mache, arugula; cover crop maintenance | Bare-root fruit trees and shrubs, spring bulbs (late planting) | Broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, beets, carrots, turnips, late lettuce |
| Zones 9–10 | Tomatoes, peppers for late-winter crop (Zone 10) | Peas, fava beans, beets, carrots, radishes, cilantro, turnips | Onion transplants, broccoli, cauliflower, bare-root fruit trees | Lettuce, broccoli, carrots, citrus (Zone 9–10), avocados (Zone 10) |
December
| Zone | Sow Indoors | Direct Sow | Plant Out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zones 3–4 | Nothing; plan next year's crop rotation | Nothing | Nothing | Stored crops; greenhouse micro-greens if set up |
| Zones 5–6 | Onions, leeks (late Dec for early transplants) | Nothing outdoors | Nothing | Kale, Brussels sprouts, cold-frame spinach, mache, stored crops |
| Zones 7–8 | Onions, leeks (8–10 wks before spring transplant) | Mache, spinach, claytonia (cold-hardy varieties) | Bare-root fruit trees (good window in mild zones) | Broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, winter carrots, parsnips, late citrus |
| Zones 9–10 | Tomatoes, peppers (for late-Feb Zone 10 transplant) | Peas, fava beans, beets, carrots, radishes, lettuce, spinach, cilantro | Onion sets, broccoli transplants, bare-root fruit trees | Lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, citrus, avocados (Zone 10) |
Key Tasks by Season
Beyond what you sow and plant, each season carries a set of maintenance tasks that determine how well your garden performs. These apply broadly across most zones — adjust timing to your last and first frost dates.
Spring
- →Soil preparation: Turn beds, add 2–3 inches of compost before first plantings. Test pH if you have not done so in two years.
- →Hardening off: Move indoor seedlings outside for 7–10 days (start 1 hour/day, extend gradually) before transplanting.
- →Irrigation setup: Clean and test drip lines before the season starts. Install timer if not already in place.
- →Mulching: Apply 2–3 inches of mulch around transplants after soil has warmed to hold moisture and suppress weeds.
- →Lawn: Overseed bare patches once soil exceeds 50°F. First mow at 3–3.5 inch height to encourage deep roots.
Summer
- →Succession sowing: Sow fast-maturing crops (beans, salad greens, radishes) every 2–3 weeks to extend harvest.
- →Deep watering: Water deeply 1–2×/week rather than daily shallow watering. Aim for 1 inch of water per week including rainfall.
- →Garlic harvest: Harvest when lower 3–4 leaves have yellowed. Cure in a dry, ventilated space for 4–6 weeks before storage.
- →Tomato support: Stake or cage early; prune to 1–2 leaders for indeterminate varieties to improve airflow and fruit size.
- →Lawn: Raise mower height to 3.5–4 inches in heat; never remove more than one-third of blade length in a single cut.
Fall
- →Garlic planting: Plant individual cloves 4–6 inches deep and 6 inches apart after first frost threat but before ground freezes. Mulch with 4 inches of straw.
- →Cover crops: Sow winter rye, clover, or hairy vetch after summer crops are cleared to protect and improve soil over winter.
- →Perennial cutback: Leave ornamental grasses and seed heads standing for winter wildlife; cut back in early spring.
- →Soil amendment: Spread compost over empty beds in fall so it integrates through winter. No-till approach: apply as top-dressing only.
- →Lawn: Fall is the best time to overseed cool-season lawns (fescue, bluegrass, ryegrass) in Zones 3–7. Aerate before overseeding for best germination.
Winter
- →Planning: Order seeds before desirable varieties sell out (January). Map crop rotation to prevent disease build-up.
- →Tool maintenance: Clean, sharpen, and oil all hand tools. Flush and drain drip irrigation lines before deep freeze.
- →Mulch inspection: Check that perennials and garlic are still adequately mulched after heavy rain or wind.
- →Pruning: Dormant pruning of fruit trees (December–February) is ideal in Zones 5–8. Prune roses in late winter before bud break.
- →Zone 9–10 irrigation: Cool-season crops in warm climates need consistent watering — even in winter. Adjust drip timer to account for shorter days and reduced evaporation.
Hadaa Biological Engine
Your USDA Zone, Built Into Every Plant Recommendation
Using a planting calendar is one half of zone-aware gardening. The other half is knowing which plant species are actually viable in your zone — and which will die at your first hard frost regardless of when you plant them.
Hadaa's Biological Engine cross-references your location against the USDA hardiness zone map and filters every plant in its library to those rated compatible with your zone. When you upload a photo of your garden and run the AI design pipeline, the planting guide PDF generated for your project lists:
- →Botanical names with exact planting quantities
- →Mature size and coverage per species
- →Zone hardiness confirmation for every plant listed
- →Planting timing recommendations specific to your zone
- →Cubic yard estimates for mulch and ground cover materials
The calendar above tells you when to plant. Hadaa tells you exactly what to plant — matched to your climate, your yard's dimensions, and the design style you chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a USDA hardiness zone and how do I find mine?
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones divide the US into 13 zones based on average annual extreme minimum winter temperature. Each zone spans 10°F; sub-zones a and b split it into 5°F increments. Find your zone at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (planthardiness.ars.usda.gov) by entering your zip code. Most seed packets and plant tags reference this system directly.
When should I start seeds indoors?
Count back from your last frost date. Most cool-season crops (broccoli, onions, leeks) need 8–10 weeks indoors; tomatoes and peppers need 6–8 weeks; squash and cucumbers need 3–4 weeks. In Zone 5, last frost is typically mid-April to early May; in Zone 7, late March to mid-April; in Zone 9, late January to mid-February.
Can I follow a planting calendar if I live in a microclimate?
Yes, but adjust by 1–2 weeks. South-facing slopes, urban heat islands, and coastal fog belts shift planting windows relative to the published zone average. If you are consistently warmer than neighboring areas, plant 1–2 weeks earlier. Cooler or frost-prone pockets: push 1–2 weeks later. A min/max thermometer tracked over one winter will characterize your microclimate accurately.
What is the difference between direct sowing and transplanting?
Direct sowing places seeds in the garden soil where the plant will grow to maturity — suitable for root vegetables (carrots, beets, parsnips), beans, peas, and corn, which resent root disturbance. Transplanting means starting seeds indoors in trays and moving the young plant outside after hardening off. Transplanting gives a 4–8 week head start and lets you grow heat-loving crops in shorter-season zones.
How does Hadaa use USDA zones to generate planting recommendations?
When you upload a photo to Hadaa, the Biological Engine cross-references your reported location against the USDA zone map and filters every plant species in its library to those rated hardy in your zone. The planting guide PDF generated for your project lists species with confirmed zone compatibility, mature dimensions, and planting timing specific to your region — so nothing in the guide will fail your first winter.
Plan Your Planting Year
Zone-Matched Plant Picks for Every Month
This calendar tells you when to plant. Hadaa's Biological Engine tells you exactly what to plant — filtered to your USDA zone and sized to your yard. Upload a photo and get a complete zone-verified planting guide, 22 photorealistic renders of your redesigned garden, and a contractor-ready plant list. Every Studio subscription also includes a personal onboarding call so you get the most out of your first project.
Results in minutes. No landscape design experience required.