When to Plant in Oklahoma: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar
Quick answer
Plant around your local last spring frost: across the 665 Oklahoma ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median is Apr 4 and the median first fall frost is Nov 2 (nearest NOAA station, 1991–2020). Transplant tomatoes 1–2 weeks after your last frost: Zone 7 areas: Apr 11 – Apr 18; Zone 8 areas: Apr 5 – Apr 12.
Oklahoma spans USDA hardiness zones 6b–8a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). For the 665 of its 665 ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the nearest NOAA station’s median last spring frost (32°F, 1991–2020) is Apr 4 (middle 80% of ZIP codes: Mar 28 – Apr 11) and the median first fall frost is Nov 2 (Oct 27 – Nov 6). Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting and fall planting.
Where these dates come from: every date range is counted from the median (50% probability) 32°F last spring and first fall frost dates in NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the area shown. The rule under each date, such as “4–6 weeks before last frost,” shows how it was counted. These are averages: in about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date, and elevation, nearby water and microclimate can shift your yard by a week or more. For dates for your exact location, enter your ZIP code in the planner.
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Oklahoma frost dates by zone area
| Zone areas | Most common nearest NOAA stations | Median last spring frost (32°F) | Median first fall frost (32°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 7 (549 ZIP codes) | Tulsa Intl Airport, OK, Oklahoma City Post Airport, OK, Oklahoma City Will Rogers Airport, OK | Apr 4middle 80%: Mar 30 – Apr 11 | Nov 2middle 80%: Oct 27 – Nov 5 |
| Zone 8 (99 ZIP codes) | Healdton 3 E, OK, Durant 6Sse Mesonet, OK, Idabel, OK | Mar 29middle 80%: Mar 19 – Apr 6 | Nov 5middle 80%: Nov 1 – Nov 12 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.
How this table is built: each Oklahoma ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles) and grouped by its 2023 USDA hardiness zone; dates are medians across the ZIP codes in each group. Zone groups with fewer than 5% of ZIP codes (15 ZIP codes) are left out of the columns. Some nearest stations are across the state line (Anderson 3W, MO, Bonita 7Nw, TX, Coffeyville Wtr Wks, KS, De Queen Sevier Co Airport, AR, Elkhart, KS, Follett, TX…). For your own ZIP, use the planner.
Oklahoma vegetable planting calendar
Planting dates for each zone area of Oklahoma, counted from that area’s median frost dates (shown under each column). Rows run in calendar order. For your exact dates, enter your ZIP.
| Plant, task and rule | Zone 7 areasLast frost Apr 4 · First frost Nov 2 | Zone 8 areasLast frost Mar 29 · First frost Nov 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Jan 18 – Feb 1 |
| Cabbage · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Jan 18 – Feb 1 |
| Kale · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Jan 18 – Feb 1 |
| Tomatoes · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Peppers · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Eggplant · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Peas · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Feb 21 – Mar 7Harvest (est.) Apr 22 – May 26 | Feb 15 – Mar 1Harvest (est.) Apr 16 – May 20 |
| Spinach · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Feb 21 – Mar 7Harvest (est.) Apr 7 – May 6 | Feb 15 – Mar 1Harvest (est.) Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Basil · Start indoors4–6 weeks before last frost | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Radishes · Direct sow2–5 weeks before last frost | Feb 28 – Mar 21Harvest (est.) Mar 20 – Apr 20 | Feb 22 – Mar 15Harvest (est.) Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Lettuce · Direct sow2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 7 – Mar 21Harvest (est.) May 6 – Jun 9 | Mar 1 – Mar 15Harvest (est.) Apr 30 – Jun 3 |
| Onions (sets/transplants) · Plant sets/transplants2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 7 – Mar 21Harvest (est.) May 31 – Jul 19 | Mar 1 – Mar 15Harvest (est.) May 25 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 7 – Mar 21Harvest (est.) Apr 26 – May 30 | Mar 1 – Mar 15Harvest (est.) Apr 20 – May 24 |
| Cabbage · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 7 – Mar 21Harvest (est.) May 16 – Jun 19 | Mar 1 – Mar 15Harvest (est.) May 10 – Jun 13 |
| Kale · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Marigolds · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Mar 8 – Mar 29 |
| Zinnias · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Mar 8 – Mar 29 |
| Potatoes · Plant seed potatoes1–2 weeks before last frost | Mar 21 – Mar 28Harvest (est.) Jun 14 – Jul 16 | Mar 15 – Mar 22Harvest (est.) Jun 8 – Jul 10 |
| Marigolds · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Zinnias · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Tomatoes · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 11 – Apr 18Harvest (est.) Jun 20 – Jul 17 | Apr 5 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) Jun 14 – Jul 11 |
| Beans (bush & pole) · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 11 – Apr 18Harvest (est.) May 26 – Jun 27 | Apr 5 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) May 20 – Jun 21 |
| Sweet corn · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 11 – Apr 18Harvest (est.) Jun 15 – Jul 17 | Apr 5 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) Jun 9 – Jul 11 |
| Cucumbers · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 11 – Apr 18Harvest (est.) May 21 – Jun 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) May 15 – Jun 16 |
| Squash · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 11 – Apr 18Harvest (est.) May 21 – Jun 7 | Apr 5 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) May 15 – Jun 1 |
| Pumpkins · Direct sow1–3 weeks after last frost | Apr 11 – Apr 25Harvest (est.) Jun 30 – Aug 3 | Apr 5 – Apr 19Harvest (est.) Jun 24 – Jul 28 |
| Basil · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 11 – Apr 18Harvest (est.) May 23 – May 30 | Apr 5 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) May 17 – May 24 |
| Peppers · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | Apr 18 – Apr 25Harvest (est.) Jun 22 – Jul 9 | Apr 12 – Apr 19Harvest (est.) Jun 16 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | Apr 18 – Apr 25Harvest (est.) Jun 27 – Jul 24 | Apr 12 – Apr 19Harvest (est.) Jun 21 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 10 – Aug 24Harvest (est.) Sep 29 – Nov 2 | Aug 13 – Aug 27Harvest (est.) Oct 2 – Nov 5 |
| Cabbage · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 10 – Aug 24Harvest (est.) Oct 19 – Nov 22 | Aug 13 – Aug 27Harvest (est.) Oct 22 – Nov 25 |
| Kale · Fall sow8–10 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 24 – Sep 7Harvest (est.) Oct 13 – Nov 16 | Aug 27 – Sep 10Harvest (est.) Oct 16 – Nov 19 |
| Lettuce · Fall sow6–8 weeks before first fall frost | Sep 7 – Sep 21Harvest (est.) Nov 6 – Dec 10 | Sep 10 – Sep 24Harvest (est.) Nov 9 – Dec 13 |
| Spinach · Fall sow4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech) | Sep 14 – Oct 5Harvest (est.) Oct 29 – Dec 4 | Sep 17 – Oct 8Harvest (est.) Nov 1 – Dec 7 |
| Radishes · Fall sow4–6 weeks before first fall frost | Sep 21 – Oct 5Harvest (est.) Oct 11 – Nov 4 | Sep 24 – Oct 8Harvest (est.) Oct 14 – Nov 7 |
| Daffodils · Fall plant bulbs4 weeks before to 2 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Oct 5 – Nov 16 | Oct 8 – Nov 19 |
| Tulips · Fall plant bulbs2 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Oct 19 – Nov 30 | Oct 22 – Dec 3 |
| Garlic · Fall plant cloves2 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) | Oct 19 – Nov 23Harvest (est.) Jun 26, 2027 – Aug 20, 2027 | Oct 22 – Nov 26Harvest (est.) Jun 29, 2027 – Aug 23, 2027 |
About the harvest estimates
Each expected harvest window adds the days to harvest from the sources below to the planting window. Days count from sowing seed (or planting seed potatoes, onion sets or garlic cloves) or, where marked, from setting transplants out; “Start indoors” rows have no harvest of their own. Harvest timing varies with variety and weather, and many crops keep producing for weeks after the first picking. For frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, basil) the window stops at the first fall frost: harvest may end early at the first fall frost. Flowers and bulbs show no harvest window, and kale has no sourced figure for spring transplants.
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Onions in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Basil in a Home Garden.
Growing notes for each crop
- Peas: Tolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable
- Spinach: Fall crop too: sow 4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech)
- Lettuce: Bolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too
- Radishes: Fast (3–4 weeks); sow again for fall (see Fall sow dates)
- Kale: Fall crop too (see Fall sow dates); frost sweetens leaves
- Onions (sets/transplants): Choose day-length type suited to your latitude
- Potatoes: Soil at least 45°F (UMD); hill as plants grow
- Broccoli: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Cabbage: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Tomatoes: Wait for nights reliably above about 52°F (Colorado State)
- Peppers: Need warm soil: about 65°F is optimal for transplanting (UC ANR)
- Eggplant: Transplant after nights stay above 50°F (UMN)
- Beans (bush & pole): Seeds rot in cold, wet soil
- Sweet corn: Soil 60°F+ (UNH, UMN); plant in blocks for pollination
- Cucumbers: Frost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles
- Squash: Frost-tender; watch for squash vine borer
- Pumpkins: For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June
- Basil: Very cold-sensitive
- Marigolds: Easy warm-season annual
- Zinnias: Easy warm-season annual
- Tulips: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule. In zone 9, chill bulbs 12–16 weeks first (Clemson)
- Daffodils: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule; slightly earlier than tulips is fine
- Garlic: Harvest the following early summer
Oklahoma USDA zone guides: Zone 6 planting guide Zone 7 planting guide Zone 8 planting guide
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Tips for Oklahoma gardeners
- Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
- Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out (UC ANR, SDSU).
- Ask your local Cooperative Extension office about varieties and timing for your county; find it in the USDA NIFA land-grant university directory.
- Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Oklahoma?
Across the 665 Oklahoma ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median last spring frost (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020) at the nearest station is Apr 4, and the middle 80% of ZIP codes range from Mar 28 to Apr 11. Check the average for your ZIP code, and remember frost can occur after the average date.
When can I plant tomatoes in Oklahoma?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after your average last frost, once nights stay above about 52°F (Colorado State). Typical dates: Zone 7 areas: Apr 11 – Apr 18; Zone 8 areas: Apr 5 – Apr 12.
What USDA zone is Oklahoma?
Oklahoma spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 6b–8a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
Other state planting calendars
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming All states