Zone 3a Planting Calendar
Zone 3a has an average minimum temperature range of -40°F to -35°F. The average last spring frost is around May 15 and the first fall frost is around September 15, giving you approximately 123 days in the growing season.
There are 124 plants in our database that grow well in Zone 3a.
Zone 3a
Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost
May 15
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123 growing days
➔
First Fall Frost
September 15
Zone 3a
Frost Countdown
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Last Frost: May 15
First Frost: Sep 15
States That Include Zone 3a
Many states span multiple zones. The states highlighted below contain areas classified as Zone 3a.
Growing Season Comparison
Growing Season by Zone
Zone 1a
Jun 15 – Aug 15
Zone 1b
Jun 7 – Aug 25
Zone 2a
May 30 – Sep 1
Zone 2b
May 22 – Sep 10
Zone 3a ◄
May 15 – Sep 15
Zone 4a
May 6 – Sep 28
Zone 5a
Apr 25 – Oct 8
Zone 5b
Apr 18 – Oct 13
Zone 6a
Apr 10 – Oct 20
Zone 6b
Apr 3 – Oct 25
Zone 7a
Mar 25 – Nov 1
Zone 7b
Mar 18 – Nov 8
Zone 8a
Mar 8 – Nov 18
Zone 8b
Feb 25 – Nov 28
Zone 9a
Feb 10 – Dec 10
Zone 10a
Jan 1 – Dec 31
0
90
180
270
365 days
What to Plant Right Now in Zone 3a
Based on April 2026 planting windows.
Acorn Squash
Start Indoors
Apr 3 – Apr 17
Angelica
Start Indoors
Apr 3 – Apr 17
Arugula
Start Indoors
Apr 3 – Apr 17
Belgian Endive
Start Indoors
Apr 3 – Apr 17
Bok Choy
Start Indoors
Apr 3 – Apr 17
Borage
Start Indoors
Apr 3 – Apr 17
Broccoli
Start Indoors
Apr 3 – Apr 17
Broccoli Rabe
Start Indoors
Apr 3 – Apr 17
All Planting Windows at a Glance
This chart shows when to start, transplant, sow, and harvest every plant in Zone 3a.
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F
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A
M
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A
S
O
N
D
Start Indoors
Transplant Outdoors
Direct Sow
Fall Sowing
Harvest
Vegetables for Zone 3a
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acorn Squash | Apr 3 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Aug 28 – Oct 2 | 80–100 |
| Amaranth | Mar 13 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Sep 4 – Oct 9 | 90–120 |
| Arugula | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jun 19 – Aug 21 | 30–50 |
| Asparagus | — | — | May 29 | — | 730–1095 |
| Beets | — | May 8 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 31 | 50–70 |
| Belgian Endive | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 | 110–150 |
| Black Beans | — | May 29 | — | Aug 28 – Oct 2 | 90–120 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jun 26 – Jul 31 | 40–60 |
| Broccoli | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 17 – Aug 28 | 60–90 |
| Broccoli Rabe | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jun 26 – Jul 31 | 40–60 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Aug 14 – Sep 18 | 90–130 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 3 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Sep 4 – Oct 9 | 85–110 |
| Cabbage | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 17 – Sep 11 | 60–100 |
| Carrots | — | May 8 | — | Jul 10 – Aug 14 | 60–80 |
| Cauliflower | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 10 – Sep 11 | 55–100 |
| Celeriac | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 | 100–120 |
| Celery | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Aug 7 – Sep 18 | 80–120 |
| Celtuce | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 17 – Aug 28 | 60–90 |
| Chard | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 10 – Aug 28 | 50–60 |
| Chickpeas | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Aug 7 – Sep 18 | 80–110 |
| Chicory | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 17 – Aug 28 | 60–85 |
| Chinese Cabbage | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 10 – Aug 7 | 50–70 |
| Collard Greens | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 10 – Sep 11 | 55–75 |
| Corn | — | May 29 | — | Jul 31 – Sep 25 | 60–100 |
| Cress | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | May 29 – Jun 19 | 14–21 |
| Crookneck Squash | Apr 3 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Jul 24 – Aug 21 | 45–60 |
| Cucumber | Apr 3 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Jul 31 – Sep 25 | 50–70 |
| Daikon | — | May 8 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 31 | 50–70 |
| Delicata Squash | Apr 3 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Aug 28 – Oct 2 | 80–100 |
| Edamame | — | May 29 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 25 | 75–100 |
| Endive | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 3 – Aug 7 | 45–65 |
| Escarole | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 10 – Aug 7 | 50–70 |
| Fava Beans | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 31 – Sep 11 | 75–100 |
| Garlic | — | — | — | — | 90–240 |
| Green Beans | — | May 29 | — | Jul 24 – Sep 18 | 50–65 |
| Horseradish | — | — | May 29 | Oct 2 | 120–180 |
| Hubbard Squash | Apr 3 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 | 100–120 |
| Kabocha | Apr 3 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Sep 4 – Oct 2 | 85–100 |
| Kai Lan | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 3 – Jul 31 | 45–60 |
| Kale | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 10 – Sep 4 | 50–70 |
| Kidney Beans | — | May 29 | — | Aug 28 – Oct 2 | 85–110 |
| Kohlrabi | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 3 – Aug 7 | 45–65 |
| Komatsuna | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jun 19 – Jul 24 | 35–50 |
| Leeks | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Aug 14 – Sep 18 | 90–150 |
| Lentils | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Aug 7 – Sep 18 | 80–110 |
| Lettuce | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jun 19 – Aug 28 | 30–60 |
| Lima Beans | — | May 29 | — | Jul 31 – Sep 11 | 60–90 |
| Mache | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jun 26 – Jul 31 | 40–60 |
| Microgreens | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | May 22 – Jun 19 | 7–21 |
| Mizuna | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jun 19 – Jul 17 | 30–45 |
| Mustard Greens | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jun 19 – Aug 21 | 30–50 |
| Napa Cabbage | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 10 – Aug 14 | 55–75 |
| Onion | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Aug 14 – Sep 18 | 90–120 |
| Pac Choi | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jun 26 – Jul 24 | 40–55 |
| Parsnip | — | May 8 | — | Aug 21 – Sep 11 | 100–130 |
| Patty Pan Squash | Apr 3 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Jul 24 – Aug 21 | 45–60 |
| Peas | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 10 – Sep 4 | 55–70 |
| Peppers | Feb 27 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Aug 7 – Oct 9 | 60–90 |
| Pole Beans | Mar 13 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Jul 31 – Sep 25 | 55–70 |
| Potatoes | Mar 13 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Oct 9 | 70–120 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 3 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Sep 4 – Oct 9 | 85–120 |
| Purslane | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jun 26 – Jul 31 | 40–60 |
| Radish | — | May 8 | — | Jun 5 – Jun 26 | 22–35 |
| Rhubarb | — | — | Jun 12 | — | 365–730 |
| Romanesco | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 31 – Sep 11 | 75–100 |
| Rutabaga | — | May 8 | — | Jul 31 – Sep 4 | 80–100 |
| Salsify | — | May 8 | — | Aug 21 – Sep 11 | 100–130 |
| Savoy Cabbage | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 24 – Sep 18 | 70–110 |
| Scallions | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 10 – Aug 7 | 50–70 |
| Scarlet Runner Beans | Mar 13 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Aug 7 – Sep 11 | 60–80 |
| Shiso | Mar 20 | May 22 | Jun 5 | Jul 31 – Sep 25 | 50–70 |
| Snap Peas | Mar 13 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Jul 31 – Sep 25 | 55–70 |
| Snow Peas | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 10 – Sep 4 | 50–65 |
| Soybeans | — | May 29 | — | Aug 21 – Oct 2 | 80–120 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 3 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Sep 4 – Oct 2 | 85–100 |
| Spinach | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jun 19 – Aug 21 | 35–50 |
| Squash (Summer) | Apr 3 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Jul 24 – Sep 25 | 45–65 |
| Squash (Winter) | Apr 3 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Aug 28 – Oct 9 | 80–120 |
| Sunchoke | — | — | May 29 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 | 110–150 |
| Sunflower | Mar 13 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Aug 14 – Oct 2 | 70–100 |
| Sweet Corn | — | May 29 | — | Jul 31 – Sep 11 | 60–90 |
| Tatsoi | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jun 19 – Jul 24 | 35–50 |
| Tomatoes | Mar 13 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Aug 7 – Oct 9 | 60–85 |
| Turnip | — | May 8 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 24 | 40–60 |
| Watercress | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jun 26 – Jul 31 | 40–60 |
| Wax Beans | — | May 29 | — | Jul 24 – Sep 18 | 50–65 |
| Zucchini | Apr 3 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Jul 24 – Sep 18 | 45–60 |
Fruits for Zone 3a
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine Strawberries | — | — | Jun 12 | Sep 11 – Oct 16 | 90–180 |
| Aronia | — | — | Jun 12 | — | 730–1095 |
| Blueberries | — | — | Jun 12 | — | 730–1095 |
| Cranberries | — | — | Jun 12 | — | 730–1095 |
| Currants | — | — | Jun 12 | — | 730–1095 |
| Elderberries | — | — | Jun 12 | — | 730–1095 |
| Goji Berries | — | — | Jun 12 | — | 730–1095 |
| Gooseberries | — | — | Jun 12 | — | 730–1095 |
| Hardy Kiwi | — | — | Jun 12 | — | 1095–1825 |
| Haskaps | — | — | Jun 12 | — | 730–1095 |
| Jostaberry | — | — | Jun 12 | — | 730–1095 |
| Lingonberries | — | — | Jun 12 | — | 730–1095 |
| Raspberries | — | — | Jun 12 | — | 365–730 |
| Serviceberries | — | — | Jun 12 | — | 730–1095 |
| Strawberries | — | — | Jun 12 | Sep 11 – Oct 16 | 90–365 |
Herbs for Zone 3a
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angelica | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 8 | — | 365–730 |
| Bee Balm | — | — | May 22 | Aug 21 – Sep 25 | 90–120 |
| Borage | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 8 | Jul 3 – Aug 21 | 50–60 |
| Caraway | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 8 | — | 365–450 |
| Catnip | — | — | May 22 | Jul 24 – Sep 25 | 60–80 |
| Chamomile | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 8 | Jul 10 – Sep 11 | 60–90 |
| Chervil | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 8 | Jun 19 – Aug 21 | 40–60 |
| Chives | — | — | May 22 | Jul 24 – Sep 25 | 60–90 |
| Cilantro | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 8 | Jun 19 – Aug 21 | 40–60 |
| Comfrey | — | — | May 22 | Jul 24 – Sep 25 | 60–90 |
| Dill | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 8 | Jun 19 – Aug 21 | 40–60 |
| Echinacea | — | — | May 22 | Sep 25 | 120–180 |
| Garlic Chives | — | — | May 22 | Jul 24 – Sep 25 | 60–90 |
| Horehound | — | — | May 22 | Aug 7 – Sep 25 | 75–90 |
| Hyssop | — | — | May 22 | Jul 31 – Sep 25 | 70–90 |
| Lemon Balm | — | — | May 22 | Jul 24 – Sep 11 | 60–70 |
| Lovage | — | — | May 22 | Jul 31 – Sep 25 | 70–90 |
| Mint | — | — | May 22 | Jul 24 – Sep 25 | 60–90 |
| Parsley | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 8 | Jul 10 – Sep 11 | 60–80 |
| Sorrel | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 8 | Jun 19 – Aug 21 | 40–60 |
| Valerian | — | — | May 22 | Sep 25 | 120–180 |
| Yarrow | — | — | May 22 | Aug 21 – Sep 25 | 90–120 |
Recommended for Your Garden
LED Grow Lights
$25-60
Full-spectrum LED lights for starting seeds indoors when daylight is limited.
Seedling Heat Mat
$15-35
Warm soil for faster germination of heat-loving crops like tomatoes and peppers.
Floating Row Covers
$12-30
Protect plants from frost, wind, and pests while letting light and water through.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I grow in Zone 3a?
Zone 3a supports 124 plants in our database including vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers. With a 123-day growing season (last frost ~May 15, first frost ~September 15), you can grow most common garden crops with proper timing.
What is Zone 3a?
USDA Zone 3a has an average annual minimum temperature of -40°F to -35°F.
When is the last frost in Zone 3a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 3a is approximately May 15. The first fall frost averages around September 15, giving a growing season of about 123 days. These dates are based on 50% probability — plan for some year-to-year variation.
