Zone 2a Planting Calendar
Zone 2a gardeners: here's your May plan
Here's what deserves your attention in Zone 2a this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 2a and timed around your local frost dates.
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Time to transplant cilantro, dill, and parsley
Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.
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Scatter kale, lettuce, and radish into prepared beds
Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.
Get ahead of June
- Transplants going out: kale, lettuce, and amaranth
- Direct-sowing: amaranth, snap peas, and sunflower
- First harvests: radish, cress, and microgreens
- Fall sowing: kale, lettuce, and radish
Zone 2a has an average minimum temperature range of -50°F to -45°F. The average last spring frost is around May 30 and the first fall frost is around September 1, giving you approximately 94 days in the growing season.
There are 45 plants in our database that grow well in Zone 2a.
States That Include Zone 2a
Many states span multiple zones. The states highlighted below contain areas classified as Zone 2a.
Growing Season Comparison
What to Plant Right Now in Zone 2a
Based on May 2026 planting windows.
All Planting Windows at a Glance
This chart shows when to start, transplant, sow, and harvest every plant in Zone 2a.
Vegetables for Zone 2a
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amaranth | Mar 28 | Jun 13 | Jun 20 | Sep 19 – Nov 7 | 90–120 |
| Beets | — | May 23 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 15 | 50–70 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 11 – Aug 15 | 40–60 |
| Broccoli | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Aug 1 – Sep 12 | 60–90 |
| Broccoli Rabe | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 11 – Aug 15 | 40–60 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Aug 29 – Oct 24 | 90–130 |
| Cabbage | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Aug 1 – Sep 26 | 60–100 |
| Cauliflower | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 25 – Sep 26 | 55–100 |
| Celery | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Aug 22 – Oct 17 | 80–120 |
| Chard | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 25 – Sep 12 | 50–60 |
| Chinese Cabbage | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 25 – Aug 22 | 50–70 |
| Collard Greens | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 25 – Sep 26 | 55–75 |
| Cress | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jun 13 – Jul 4 | 14–21 |
| Daikon | — | May 23 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 15 | 50–70 |
| Fava Beans | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Aug 15 – Sep 26 | 75–100 |
| Kai Lan | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 18 – Aug 15 | 45–60 |
| Kale | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 25 – Sep 19 | 50–70 |
| Kohlrabi | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 18 – Aug 22 | 45–65 |
| Komatsuna | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 4 – Aug 8 | 35–50 |
| Lentils | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Aug 22 – Oct 3 | 80–110 |
| Lettuce | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 4 – Sep 12 | 30–60 |
| Mache | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 11 – Aug 15 | 40–60 |
| Microgreens | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jun 6 – Jul 4 | 7–21 |
| Mustard Greens | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 4 – Sep 5 | 30–50 |
| Napa Cabbage | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 25 – Aug 29 | 55–75 |
| Pac Choi | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 11 – Aug 8 | 40–55 |
| Parsnip | — | May 23 | — | Sep 5 – Oct 17 | 100–130 |
| Peas | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 25 – Sep 19 | 55–70 |
| Purslane | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 11 – Aug 15 | 40–60 |
| Radish | — | May 23 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 | 22–35 |
| Rutabaga | — | May 23 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 19 | 80–100 |
| Savoy Cabbage | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Aug 8 – Oct 3 | 70–110 |
| Snap Peas | Mar 28 | Jun 13 | Jun 20 | Aug 15 – Oct 10 | 55–70 |
| Snow Peas | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 25 – Sep 19 | 50–65 |
| Spinach | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 4 – Sep 5 | 35–50 |
| Sunflower | Mar 28 | Jun 13 | Jun 20 | Aug 29 – Oct 17 | 70–100 |
| Tatsoi | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 4 – Aug 8 | 35–50 |
| Turnip | — | May 23 | — | Jul 4 – Aug 8 | 40–60 |
Fruits for Zone 2a
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cranberries | — | — | Jun 27 | — | 730–1095 |
| Haskaps | — | — | Jun 27 | — | 730–1095 |
| Lingonberries | — | — | Jun 27 | — | 730–1095 |
| Serviceberries | — | — | Jun 27 | — | 730–1095 |
Herbs for Zone 2a
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cilantro | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 23 | Jul 4 – Sep 5 | 40–60 |
| Dill | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 23 | Jul 4 – Sep 5 | 40–60 |
| Parsley | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 23 | Jul 25 – Sep 26 | 60–80 |
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I grow in Zone 2a?
Zone 2a supports 45 plants in our database including vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers. With a 94-day growing season (last frost ~May 30, first frost ~September 1), you can grow most common garden crops with proper timing.
What is Zone 2a?
USDA Zone 2a has an average annual minimum temperature of -50°F to -45°F.
When is the last frost in Zone 2a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 2a is approximately May 30. The first fall frost averages around September 1, giving a growing season of about 94 days. These dates are based on 50% probability — plan for some year-to-year variation.
Composting Guide for Homesteaders
Turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into compost that actually feeds the garden — instead of a pile that smells, attracts pests, and never breaks down.
- 14 sections on composting methods, soil science, and troubleshooting
- The 7-step hot-compost system from start to finish
- Bonus tools: troubleshooting chart, safety guide, monitoring log