When to Plant Begonias in USDA Zone 2a
Your June game plan for Zone 2a
Your garden in Zone 2a is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.
-
Move begonias from tray to bed
Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.
Wax begonias (Begonia × semperflorens) are the workhorse shade bedding plant of American horticulture, offering continuous bloom from transplant to hard frost. Bronze or green-leaved varieties perform well from deep shade to full sun (in northern zones) and tolerate summer humidity better than most cool- season flowers. A staple of mass plantings, containers, and window boxes.
In Zone 2a, the average last spring frost is around May 30 and the first fall frost is around September 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 94 days.
Begonias Planting Timeline — Zone 2a
Where Is USDA Zone 2a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 2a. Click any state to see the Begonias planting schedule for that location.
Begonias Planting Calendar — Zone 2a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 13 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 |
| Bloom | August 22 | Aug 22 – Sep 26 |
· 8" apart · Rows 10" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | — |
| May | — |
| June | Transplant Outdoors |
| July | — |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 2a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 2a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
70–90 days
Soil pH
5.5 – 6.5
Zone Temperature Range
-50°F to -45°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
94 days (Zone 2a average)
Planting Specifications
| Plant Spacing | 8 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 10 inches between rows |
Growing Tips for Begonias in Zone 2a
Zone 2a has a short growing season (~94 days). Start Begonias indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — seed is dust-fine; surface-sow on moist mix under lights, do not cover. Bottom heat (70–75°F) speeds germination. Transplant after frost; begonias are not direct-sown in practice. Pinch seedlings once for branching. Keep soil evenly moist; avoid waterlogged conditions. Bronze-leaf types tolerate more sun; green- leaf types prefer shade to part-sun.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
- Bonus: square-foot gardening guide + printable seasonal planners
Saving Begonias Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Full-spectrum LED lights for starting seeds indoors when daylight is limited.
Warm soil for faster germination of heat-loving crops like tomatoes and peppers.
Protect plants from frost, wind, and pests while letting light and water through.
Related Plants
Begonias in Other Zones
Begonias by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- 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
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Begonias in Zone 2a?
In Zone 2a, plan your Begonias planting around the average last frost date of May 30. Start seeds indoors around March 7. Transplant seedlings around June 13.
Can Begonias grow in Zone 2a?
Yes, Begonias can grow well in Zone 2a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 2a has a growing season of approximately 94 days, which is sufficient for Begonias (70-90 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Begonias in Zone 2a?
In Zone 2a, expect to harvest Begonias from August 22 – September 26. Begonias takes 70-90 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 2a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 2a is around May 30, and the first fall frost is around September 1. This gives a growing season of approximately 94 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Begonias?
Good companion plants for Begonias include Impatiens, Lobelia, Sweet Alyssum, Ferns. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Zone 2a Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 2a. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.