When and What to Plant in Each U.S. Zone: A Simple Gardening Calendar

Timing is everything in gardening. Plant too early and risk frostbite. Plant too late, and your harvest may never come. That's where the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones come in—a helpful guide for knowing when and what to plant based on your region’s climate.

Here’s a simple gardening calendar broken down by U.S. zones (Zones 3–10), so you can grow confidently year-round.

🌍 Understanding USDA Zones (Quick Overview)

The U.S. is divided into 13 hardiness zones, but most gardeners live in Zones 3–10. Each zone represents a 10°F difference in minimum winter temperatures. The lower the zone number, the colder the winters.

📅 Planting Calendar by Zone

🌾 Zone 3 (Minimum Temps: -40°F to -30°F)

Short season — Cold climate gardening

  • Start Indoors (Feb–April): Tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, cabbage

  • Transplant/Direct Sow (May–June): Lettuce, peas, carrots, radishes, potatoes

  • Fall Crops (July–Aug): Spinach, kale, beets

  • Pro Tip: Use row covers and raised beds to warm the soil early.

🧊 Zone 4 (Min Temps: -30°F to -20°F)

Cool northern climates — limited frost-free days

  • Start Indoors (March): Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant

  • Direct Sow (Late April–May): Peas, lettuce, onions

  • Transplant (Late May–June): Cucumbers, squash, melons

  • Fall Planting (Aug): Leafy greens, radishes

🥕 Zone 5 (Min Temps: -20°F to -10°F)

Midwest sweet spot

  • Start Indoors (Feb–March): Broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes

  • Direct Sow (April): Carrots, spinach, beets

  • Transplant (May): Peppers, corn, zucchini

  • Fall Planting (Aug–Sept): Kale, turnips, arugula

🌻 Zone 6 (Min Temps: -10°F to 0°F)

Balanced zone — 6+ month growing season

  • Start Indoors (Feb): Peppers, tomatoes

  • Direct Sow (March–April): Lettuce, peas, carrots

  • Transplant (Mid-April–May): Beans, cucumbers, squash

  • Second Season (Aug–Sept): Fall greens, garlic (plant garlic in Oct)

🥬 Zone 7 (Min Temps: 0°F to 10°F)

Mild winters, long season

  • Start Indoors (Jan–Feb): Eggplant, onions, celery

  • Direct Sow (Feb–March): Radishes, spinach, lettuce

  • Transplant (March–April): Tomatoes, peppers, okra

  • Fall Planting (Sept–Oct): Broccoli, carrots, mustard greens

🍅 Zone 8 (Min Temps: 10°F to 20°F)

Southern-friendly with extended seasons

  • Start Indoors (Jan): Peppers, tomatoes

  • Direct Sow (Feb): Beets, chard, peas

  • Transplant (March): Melons, beans, eggplant

  • Fall Crops (Sept): Lettuce, cauliflower, onions

  • Bonus: Grow citrus trees and subtropical perennials

🍉 Zone 9 (Min Temps: 20°F to 30°F)

Warm winters — nearly year-round gardening

  • Start Indoors (Dec–Jan): Tomatoes, herbs

  • Direct Sow (Jan–Feb): Arugula, carrots, radishes

  • Transplant (Feb–March): Corn, cucumbers, peppers

  • Fall Planting (Oct–Nov): Broccoli, spinach, garlic

🌴 Zone 10 (Min Temps: 30°F to 40°F)

Tropical/Subtropical — Endless summer gardening

  • Plant Year-Round: Tomatoes, beans, herbs, peppers

  • Best Cool-Season Crops (Nov–Feb): Leafy greens, brassicas, carrots

  • Warm-Season Crops (March–Sept): Okra, sweet potatoes, eggplant

  • Pro Tip: Use shade cloth in peak summer and mulch to retain moisture

🛠️ Quick Gardening Tips for All Zones:

  • Know your frost dates: Use online calculators by ZIP code

  • Start seeds indoors: 6–10 weeks before your last frost

  • Use succession planting: For multiple harvests in one season

  • Amend your soil annually: With compost and organic matter

  • Label your plantings: You'll thank yourself later!

🌿 Free Download: Printable Zone-Specific Calendar

Want a zone-specific cheat sheet? Download our free PDF planting calendar → (You can link to your resource here)

Final Thought 🌼

No matter your zone, gardening is about timing, patience, and joy. With the right calendar, you’ll never miss your planting window again. Happy growing, America!