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Zone 4a Planting Calendar

Zone 4a has an average minimum temperature range of -30°F to -25°F. The average last spring frost is around May 6 and the first fall frost is around September 28, giving you approximately 145 days in the growing season.

There are 150 plants in our database that grow well in Zone 4a.

Zone 4a Short season
145 days
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Last Spring Frost May 6
➔ 145 growing days ➔
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First Fall Frost September 28
Zone 4a Frost Countdown
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Last Frost: May 6 First Frost: Sep 28

States That Include Zone 4a

Many states span multiple zones. The states highlighted below contain areas classified as Zone 4a.

AL — Zone 7b AL AR — Zone 7b AR AZ — Zone 8a AZ CA — Zone 9a CA CO — Zone 5a CO CT — Zone 6b CT DE — Zone 7a DE FL — Zone 9a FL GA — Zone 7b GA IA — Zone 5a IA ID — Zone 5b ID IL — Zone 5b IL IN — Zone 6a IN KS — Zone 6a KS KY — Zone 6b KY LA — Zone 8b LA MA — Zone 6a MA MD — Zone 7a MD ME — Zone 4b ME MI — Zone 5b MI MN — Zone 4a MN MO — Zone 6a MO MS — Zone 8a MS MT — Zone 4b MT NC — Zone 7a NC ND — Zone 3b ND NE — Zone 5a NE NH — Zone 5a NH NJ — Zone 7a NJ NM — Zone 6b NM NV — Zone 6b NV NY — Zone 5b NY OH — Zone 6a OH OK — Zone 7a OK OR — Zone 7a OR PA — Zone 6a PA RI — Zone 6b RI SC — Zone 8a SC SD — Zone 4a SD TN — Zone 7a TN TX — Zone 8a TX UT — Zone 5b UT VA — Zone 7a VA VT — Zone 4b VT WA — Zone 7a WA WI — Zone 4b WI WV — Zone 6a WV WY — Zone 4a WY AK — Zone 2a AK HI — Zone 11a HI
Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Growing Season Comparison

What to Plant Right Now in Zone 4a

Based on April 2026 planting windows.

🥬 Acorn Squash Start Indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8 🌿 Angelica Start Indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8 🌿 Anise Start Indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8 🥬 Arugula Start Indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8 🥬 Beets Direct Sow Apr 29 – May 20 🥬 Belgian Endive Start Indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8 🥬 Bok Choy Start Indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8 🌿 Borage Start Indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8

See all April plantings →

All Planting Windows at a Glance

This chart shows when to start, transplant, sow, and harvest every plant in Zone 4a.

Vegetables for Zone 4a

Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Harvest Days to Maturity
Acorn Squash Mar 25 May 20 May 27 Aug 19 – Sep 23 80–100
Amaranth Mar 4 May 20 May 27 Aug 26 – Oct 14 90–120
Arugula Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jun 10 – Aug 12 30–50
Asparagus — — May 20 — 730–1095
Beets — Apr 29 — Jun 24 – Jul 22 50–70
Belgian Endive Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Aug 26 – Sep 30 110–150
Black Beans — May 20 — Aug 19 – Oct 7 90–120
Bok Choy Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jun 17 – Jul 22 40–60
Broccoli Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 8 – Aug 19 60–90
Broccoli Rabe Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jun 17 – Jul 22 40–60
Brussels Sprouts Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Aug 5 – Sep 30 90–130
Butternut Squash Mar 25 May 20 May 27 Aug 26 – Sep 30 85–110
Cabbage Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 8 – Sep 2 60–100
Carrots — Apr 29 — Jul 1 – Aug 5 60–80
Cauliflower Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 1 – Sep 2 55–100
Celeriac Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Aug 19 – Sep 23 100–120
Celery Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 29 – Sep 23 80–120
Celtuce Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 8 – Aug 19 60–90
Chard Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 1 – Aug 19 50–60
Chickpeas Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 29 – Sep 9 80–110
Chicory Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 8 – Aug 19 60–85
Chinese Cabbage Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 1 – Jul 29 50–70
Christmas Lima Beans Mar 4 May 20 May 27 Aug 19 – Sep 23 80–100
Collard Greens Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 1 – Sep 2 55–75
Corn — May 20 — Jul 22 – Sep 16 60–100
Cress Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 May 20 – Jun 10 14–21
Crookneck Squash Mar 25 May 20 May 27 Jul 15 – Aug 12 45–60
Crosne — Apr 29 — Sep 30 – Sep 23 150–200
Cucumber Mar 25 May 20 May 27 Jul 22 – Sep 16 50–70
Daikon — Apr 29 — Jun 24 – Jul 22 50–70
Delicata Squash Mar 25 May 20 May 27 Aug 19 – Sep 23 80–100
Edamame — May 20 — Aug 5 – Sep 16 75–100
Endive Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jun 24 – Jul 29 45–65
Escarole Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 1 – Jul 29 50–70
Fava Beans Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 22 – Sep 2 75–100
Fennel Mar 4 May 20 May 27 Jul 29 – Sep 9 60–90
Garlic — — — — 90–240
Green Beans — May 20 — Jul 15 – Sep 9 50–65
Horseradish — — May 20 Sep 23 – Oct 14 120–180
Hubbard Squash Mar 25 May 20 May 27 Sep 9 – Oct 14 100–120
Kabocha Mar 25 May 20 May 27 Aug 26 – Sep 23 85–100
Kai Lan Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jun 24 – Jul 22 45–60
Kale Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 1 – Aug 26 50–70
Kidney Beans — May 20 — Aug 19 – Sep 23 85–110
Kohlrabi Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jun 24 – Jul 29 45–65
Komatsuna Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jun 10 – Jul 15 35–50
Leeks Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Aug 5 – Sep 30 90–150
Lentils Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 29 – Sep 9 80–110
Lettuce Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jun 10 – Aug 19 30–60
Lima Beans — May 20 — Jul 22 – Sep 2 60–90
Mache Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jun 17 – Jul 22 40–60
Melon Mar 25 May 20 May 27 Aug 5 – Sep 23 70–100
Microgreens Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 May 13 – Jun 10 7–21
Mitsuba Mar 25 Apr 29 Apr 29 Jun 24 – Aug 19 50–70
Mizuna Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jun 10 – Jul 8 30–45
Mustard Greens Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jun 10 – Aug 12 30–50
Napa Cabbage Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 1 – Aug 5 55–75
Onion Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Aug 5 – Sep 23 90–120
Pac Choi Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jun 17 – Jul 15 40–55
Parsnip — Apr 29 — Aug 12 – Sep 23 100–130
Patty Pan Squash Mar 25 May 20 May 27 Jul 15 – Aug 12 45–60
Peas Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 1 – Aug 26 55–70
Peppers Feb 18 May 20 May 27 Jul 29 – Oct 7 60–90
Pole Beans Mar 4 May 20 May 27 Jul 22 – Sep 16 55–70
Potatoes Mar 4 May 20 May 27 Aug 5 – Oct 14 70–120
Pumpkin Mar 25 May 20 May 27 Aug 26 – Oct 14 85–120
Purslane Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jun 17 – Jul 22 40–60
Radicchio Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 8 – Aug 12 60–80
Radish — Apr 29 — May 27 – Jun 17 22–35
Rhubarb — — Jun 3 — 365–730
Romanesco Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 22 – Sep 2 75–100
Rutabaga — Apr 29 — Jul 22 – Aug 26 80–100
Salsify — Apr 29 — Aug 12 – Sep 23 100–130
Savoy Cabbage Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 15 – Sep 9 70–110
Scallions Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 1 – Jul 29 50–70
Scarlet Runner Beans Mar 4 May 20 May 27 Jul 29 – Sep 2 60–80
Shallot Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Aug 5 – Sep 23 90–120
Shiso Mar 11 May 13 May 27 Jul 22 – Sep 16 50–70
Snap Peas Mar 4 May 20 May 27 Jul 22 – Sep 16 55–70
Snow Peas Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 1 – Aug 26 50–65
Soybeans — May 20 — Aug 12 – Oct 7 80–120
Spaghetti Squash Mar 25 May 20 May 27 Aug 26 – Sep 23 85–100
Spinach Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jun 10 – Aug 12 35–50
Squash (Summer) Mar 25 May 20 May 27 Jul 15 – Sep 16 45–65
Squash (Winter) Mar 25 May 20 May 27 Aug 19 – Oct 14 80–120
Sunchoke — — May 20 Sep 9 – Oct 14 110–150
Sunflower Mar 4 May 20 May 27 Aug 5 – Sep 23 70–100
Sweet Corn — May 20 — Jul 22 – Sep 2 60–90
Tatsoi Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jun 10 – Jul 15 35–50
Tomatillo Mar 4 May 20 May 27 Jul 29 – Oct 7 60–85
Tomatoes Mar 4 May 20 May 27 Jul 29 – Oct 7 60–85
Turnip — Apr 29 — Jun 10 – Jul 15 40–60
Watercress Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jun 17 – Jul 22 40–60
Watermelon Mar 25 May 20 May 27 Aug 5 – Sep 23 70–100
Wax Beans — May 20 — Jul 15 – Sep 9 50–65
Zucchini Mar 25 May 20 May 27 Jul 15 – Sep 9 45–60

Fruits for Zone 4a

Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Harvest Days to Maturity
Alpine Strawberries — — Jun 3 Sep 2 – Oct 28 90–180
Aronia — — Jun 3 — 730–1095
Blueberries — — Jun 3 — 730–1095
Cantaloupe — — Jun 3 Aug 12 – Sep 16 70–90
Cranberries — — Jun 3 — 730–1095
Currants — — Jun 3 — 730–1095
Elderberries — — Jun 3 — 730–1095
Goji Berries — — Jun 3 — 730–1095
Gooseberries — — Jun 3 — 730–1095
Grapes — — Jun 3 — 730–1095
Ground Cherry — — Jun 3 Aug 12 – Oct 7 65–80
Hardy Kiwi — — Jun 3 — 1095–1825
Haskaps — — Jun 3 — 730–1095
Honeydew — — Jun 3 Aug 26 – Oct 7 80–110
Jostaberry — — Jun 3 — 730–1095
Lingonberries — — Jun 3 — 730–1095
Medlar — — Jun 3 — 1095–1825
Mulberries — — Jun 3 — 730–1825
Persimmon — — Jun 3 — 1095–2555
Raspberries — — Jun 3 — 365–730
Serviceberries — — Jun 3 — 730–1095
Strawberries — — Jun 3 Sep 2 – Oct 28 90–365

Herbs for Zone 4a

Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Harvest Days to Maturity
Angelica Mar 25 Apr 29 Apr 29 — 365–730
Anise Mar 25 Apr 29 Apr 29 Jul 29 – Sep 23 90–120
Basil Mar 11 May 13 May 27 Jul 22 – Sep 23 50–75
Bee Balm — — May 13 Aug 12 – Oct 7 90–120
Borage Mar 25 Apr 29 Apr 29 Jun 24 – Aug 12 50–60
Caraway Mar 25 Apr 29 Apr 29 — 365–450
Catnip — — May 13 Jul 15 – Sep 16 60–80
Chamomile Mar 25 Apr 29 Apr 29 Jul 1 – Sep 9 60–90
Chervil Mar 25 Apr 29 Apr 29 Jun 10 – Aug 12 40–60
Chives — — May 13 Jul 15 – Sep 23 60–90
Cilantro Mar 25 Apr 29 Apr 29 Jun 10 – Aug 12 40–60
Comfrey — — May 13 Jul 15 – Sep 23 60–90
Dill Mar 25 Apr 29 Apr 29 Jun 10 – Aug 12 40–60
Echinacea — — May 13 Sep 16 – Oct 7 120–180
Fennel (herb) Mar 25 Apr 29 Apr 29 Jul 1 – Sep 9 60–90
Garlic Chives — — May 13 Jul 15 – Sep 23 60–90
Horehound — — May 13 Jul 29 – Sep 23 75–90
Hyssop — — May 13 Jul 22 – Sep 23 70–90
Lemon Balm — — May 13 Jul 15 – Sep 2 60–70
Lovage — — May 13 Jul 22 – Sep 23 70–90
Mint — — May 13 Jul 15 – Sep 23 60–90
Oregano — — May 13 Jul 15 – Sep 23 60–90
Parsley Mar 25 Apr 29 Apr 29 Jul 1 – Sep 2 60–80
Rue — — May 13 Jul 22 – Sep 23 70–90
Sage — — May 13 Jul 29 – Sep 23 75–90
Savory — — May 13 Jul 8 – Sep 2 50–70
Sorrel Mar 25 Apr 29 Apr 29 Jun 10 – Aug 12 40–60
Tarragon — — May 13 Jul 15 – Sep 23 60–90
Thai Basil Mar 11 May 13 May 27 Jul 22 – Sep 23 50–75
Thyme — — May 13 Jul 22 – Sep 23 70–90
Valerian — — May 13 Sep 16 – Oct 7 120–180
Yarrow — — May 13 Aug 12 – Oct 7 90–120

Recommended for Your Garden

💡
LED Grow Lights $25-60

Full-spectrum LED lights for starting seeds indoors when daylight is limited.

Recommended for cold-climate zones (1-4).

🔥
Seedling Heat Mat $15-35

Warm soil for faster germination of heat-loving crops like tomatoes and peppers.

Recommended for cold-climate zones (1-4).

🪡
Floating Row Covers $12-30

Protect plants from frost, wind, and pests while letting light and water through.

Recommended for cold-climate zones (1-4).

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I grow in Zone 4a?

Zone 4a supports 150 plants in our database including vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers. With a 145-day growing season (last frost ~May 6, first frost ~September 28), you can grow most common garden crops with proper timing.

What is Zone 4a?

USDA Zone 4a has an average annual minimum temperature of -30°F to -25°F.

When is the last frost in Zone 4a?

The average last spring frost in Zone 4a is approximately May 6. The first fall frost averages around September 28, giving a growing season of about 145 days. These dates are based on 50% probability — plan for some year-to-year variation.

Level Up Your Garden

Composting Guide for Homesteaders
Composting Guide for Homesteaders

Turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into black gold. Step-by-step composting for any backyard.

Start Composting →

Monthly Planting Guide for Zone 4a

Other Zones

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Planting dates are estimates based on average frost dates — local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.

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