When to Plant Geraniums in USDA Zone 2a
June in the garden — Zone 2a
Welcome to June in Zone 2a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Move geraniums into the garden
Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.
Geraniums (Pelargonium × hortorum) are tender perennials grown as warm-season annuals throughout North America. Prized for their bold flower clusters, long bloom period, and tolerance of summer heat when planted in well-drained soil, they anchor window boxes, containers, and bed borders from late spring until hard frost. Zones 9b–11b can overwinter plants in the ground.
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.
Geraniums 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 Geraniums planting schedule for that location.
Geraniums 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 – Oct 3 |
Plant 0.1" deep · 12" apart · Rows 14" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | — |
| May | — |
| June | Transplant Outdoors |
| July | — |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| 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
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
70–100 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
-50°F to -45°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
94 days (Zone 2a average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 12 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 14 inches between rows |
Growing Tips for Geraniums in Zone 2a
Zone 2a has a short growing season (~94 days). Start Geraniums indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — germination is slow and erratic without bottom heat (70–75°F). Transplant after frost danger passes. Geraniums rarely direct-sown; cuttings or transplants are the standard. Deadhead spent umbels weekly to maintain continuous bloom. Let soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot. In zones 10–11 plants may be left in ground year-round or overwintered as houseplants.
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
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Saving Geraniums 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
Geraniums in Other Zones
Geraniums 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 Geraniums in Zone 2a?
In Zone 2a, plan your Geraniums planting around the average last frost date of May 30. Start seeds indoors around March 7. Transplant seedlings around June 13.
Can Geraniums grow in Zone 2a?
Yes, Geraniums 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 Geraniums (70-100 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Geraniums in Zone 2a?
In Zone 2a, expect to harvest Geraniums from August 22 – October 3. Geraniums takes 70-100 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 Geraniums?
Good companion plants for Geraniums include Lobelia, Sweet Alyssum, Petunias, Bachelors Button. 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.