When to Plant Microgreens in USDA Zone 1b
What to do in May
Here's what deserves your attention in Zone 1b this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 1b and timed around your local frost dates.
Send me my free Zone 1b Planting Guide →Microgreens are young seedlings of vegetables and herbs harvested at the cotyledon or first true leaf stage. They pack concentrated flavors and nutrients in a tiny package.
In Zone 1b, the average last spring frost is around June 7 and the first fall frost is around August 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 79 days.
Microgreens Planting Timeline — Zone 1b
Where Is USDA Zone 1b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 1b. Click any state to see the Microgreens planting schedule for that location.
Microgreens Planting Calendar — Zone 1b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 26 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 7 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 |
| Direct Sow | May 31 | May 31 – Jun 21 |
| Harvest | June 14 | Jun 14 – Jul 12 |
| Fall Sowing | June 2 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 2" apart · Rows 6" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 1b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 1b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
7–21 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
79 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 2 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 6 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Microgreens in Zone
Sow every 0.7 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Microgreens in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~79 days). Start Microgreens indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
Sow seeds densely on shallow trays of moist growing medium. Cover until germination, then provide light. Harvest with scissors when 1-3 inches tall. Grow year-round indoors.
Saving Microgreens Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Microgreens in Other Zones
Microgreens 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 Microgreens in Zone 1b?
In Zone 1b, plan your Microgreens planting around the average last frost date of June 7. Start seeds indoors around April 26. Direct sow outdoors around May 31. Transplant seedlings around June 7.
Can Microgreens grow in Zone 1b?
Yes, Microgreens can grow well in Zone 1b, hardy in USDA zones 1a through 13b. Zone 1b has a growing season of approximately 79 days, which is sufficient for Microgreens (7-21 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Microgreens in Zone 1b?
In Zone 1b, expect to harvest Microgreens from June 14 – July 12. Microgreens takes 7-21 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 1b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 1b is around June 7, and the first fall frost is around August 25. This gives a growing season of approximately 79 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.