When to Plant Begonias in USDA Zone 3b
June in Zone 3b — your action list
June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Zone 3b.
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 3b, the average last spring frost is around May 10 and the first fall frost is around September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.
Begonias Planting Timeline — Zone 3b
Where Is USDA Zone 3b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 3b. Click any state to see the Begonias planting schedule for that location.
Begonias Planting Calendar — Zone 3b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 22 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 24 | May 24 – Jun 7 |
| Bloom | August 2 | Aug 2 – Sep 27 |
· 8" apart · Rows 10" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | Transplant Outdoors |
| July | — |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 3b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 3b 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
-35°F to -30°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
135 days (Zone 3b average)
Planting Specifications
| Plant Spacing | 8 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 10 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Begonias in Zone 3b
Sow every 8 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Begonias in Zone 3b
Zone 3b has a short growing season (~135 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
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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
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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 3b?
In Zone 3b, plan your Begonias planting around the average last frost date of May 10. Start seeds indoors around February 22. Transplant seedlings around May 24.
Can Begonias grow in Zone 3b?
Yes, Begonias can grow well in Zone 3b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 3b has a growing season of approximately 135 days, which is sufficient for Begonias (70-90 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Begonias in Zone 3b?
In Zone 3b, expect to harvest Begonias from August 2 – September 27. Begonias takes 70-90 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 3b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 3b is around May 10, and the first fall frost is around September 22. This gives a growing season of approximately 135 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 3b Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 3b. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.