Planting Calendars by State

Every garden calendar starts with one number: your average last spring frost date. Pick your state for regional frost dates, USDA zones, and a crop-by-crop planting schedule, or browse frost dates by city.

About these dates: Timings are counted from your average last spring frost date, which is only an average — a frost can still occur after it. Dates vary within a state by elevation, distance from water, and microclimate. Look up the frost date for your ZIP code (your state Cooperative Extension office or NOAA climate normals are good sources) and adjust for the current season’s weather and soil temperature.

Mid-Atlantic guides

DEPlanting guide

Delaware

USDA zones 7a–7b. Last frost Mar 29 – Apr 19.

View calendar →MDPlanting guide

Maryland

USDA zones 5b–8a. Last frost Mar 22 – May 6.

View calendar →PAPlanting guide

Pennsylvania

USDA zones 5a–7b. Last frost Mar 30 – May 24.

View calendar →NJPlanting guide

New Jersey

USDA zones 6a–7b. Last frost Mar 26 – May 1.

View calendar →VAPlanting guide

Virginia

USDA zones 5b–8a. Last frost Mar 17 – May 9.

View calendar →

All states

General planting timeline

CropWhen to plant (relative to last frost)Notes
PeasDirect sow 4–6 weeks before last frostTolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable
SpinachDirect sow 4–6 weeks before last frostAlso sow 6–8 weeks before first fall frost
LettuceDirect sow or transplant 2–4 weeks before last frostBolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too
RadishesDirect sow 2–5 weeks before last frostFast (3–4 weeks); sow again in late summer
KaleStart indoors 8–10 weeks before; transplant 2–4 weeks before last frostSow again 8–10 weeks before fall frost; frost sweetens leaves
Onions (sets/transplants)Plant 2–4 weeks before last frostChoose day-length type suited to your latitude
PotatoesPlant 2–4 weeks before last frostSoil about 45°F+; hill as plants grow
BroccoliStart indoors 8–10 weeks before; transplant 2–4 weeks before last frostCool-season; harden off; good fall crop
CabbageStart indoors 8–10 weeks before; transplant 2–4 weeks before last frostCool-season; harden off; good fall crop
TomatoesStart indoors 6–8 weeks before; transplant 1–2 weeks after last frostWait for nights reliably above 50°F
PeppersStart indoors 8–10 weeks before; transplant 2–3 weeks after last frostNeed warm soil (65°F+)
EggplantStart indoors 8–10 weeks before; transplant 2–3 weeks after last frostNeed warm soil (65°F+)
Beans (bush & pole)Direct sow 1–2 weeks after last frostSeeds rot in cold, wet soil
Sweet cornDirect sow 1–2 weeks after last frostSoil 60°F+; plant in blocks for pollination
CucumbersDirect sow 1–2 weeks after last frostFrost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles
SquashDirect sow 1–2 weeks after last frostFrost-tender; watch for squash vine borer
PumpkinsDirect sow 1–3 weeks after last frost (count back ~90–120 days from target harvest)For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June
BasilStart indoors 4–6 weeks before; transplant 1–2 weeks after last frostVery cold-sensitive
MarigoldsStart indoors 4–6 weeks before or direct sow after last frostEasy warm-season annual
ZinniasStart indoors 4–6 weeks before or direct sow after last frostEasy warm-season annual
TulipsPlant in fall when soil cools below ~60°FTypically around first fall frost, before ground freezes
DaffodilsPlant in fall when soil cools below ~60°FSlightly earlier than tulips is fine
GarlicPlant cloves in fall, a few weeks before the ground freezesHarvest the following early summer