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Zone 5a Planting Calendar

Zone 5a has an average minimum temperature range of -20°F to -15°F. The average last spring frost is around April 25 and the first fall frost is around October 8, giving you approximately 166 days in the growing season.

There are 170 plants in our database that grow well in Zone 5a.

Zone 5a Moderate season
166 days
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Last Spring Frost April 25
➔ 166 growing days ➔
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First Fall Frost October 8
Zone 5a Frost Countdown
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Last Frost: Apr 25 First Frost: Oct 8

States That Include Zone 5a

Many states span multiple zones. The states highlighted below contain areas classified as Zone 5a.

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 5a

Based on April 2026 planting windows.

🥬 Acorn Squash Start Indoors Mar 21 – Apr 4 🌿 Angelica Start Indoors Mar 21 – Apr 4 🌿 Anise Start Indoors Mar 21 – Apr 4 🥬 Arugula Start Indoors Mar 21 – Apr 4 🥬 Beets Direct Sow Apr 11 – May 2 🥬 Belgian Endive Start Indoors Mar 21 – Apr 4 🥬 Bok Choy Start Indoors Mar 21 – Apr 4 🌿 Borage Start Indoors Mar 21 – Apr 4

See all April plantings →

All Planting Windows at a Glance

This chart shows when to start, transplant, sow, and harvest every plant in Zone 5a.

Vegetables for Zone 5a

Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Harvest Days to Maturity
Acorn Squash Mar 21 May 2 May 9 Aug 1 – Sep 5 80–100
Amaranth Feb 28 May 2 May 9 Aug 8 – Sep 26 90–120
Arugula Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 May 30 – Aug 1 30–50
Asparagus — — May 9 — 730–1095
Beets — Apr 11 — Jun 6 – Jul 4 50–70
Belgian Endive Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Aug 15 – Oct 10 110–150
Bitter Melon Feb 28 May 2 May 9 Jul 11 – Aug 22 60–90
Black Beans — May 2 — Aug 1 – Sep 19 90–120
Bok Choy Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 6 – Jul 11 40–60
Broccoli Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 27 – Aug 8 60–90
Broccoli Rabe Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 6 – Jul 11 40–60
Brussels Sprouts Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jul 25 – Sep 19 90–130
Butternut Squash Mar 21 May 2 May 9 Aug 8 – Sep 12 85–110
Cabbage Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 27 – Aug 22 60–100
Calabash Feb 28 May 2 May 9 Aug 1 – Sep 26 80–120
Carrots — Apr 11 — Jun 13 – Jul 18 60–80
Cauliflower Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 20 – Aug 22 55–100
Celeriac Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Aug 8 – Sep 12 100–120
Celery Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jul 18 – Sep 12 80–120
Celtuce Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 27 – Aug 8 60–90
Chard Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 20 – Aug 8 50–60
Chickpeas Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jul 18 – Aug 29 80–110
Chicory Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 27 – Aug 8 60–85
Chinese Cabbage Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 20 – Jul 18 50–70
Christmas Lima Beans Feb 28 May 2 May 9 Aug 1 – Sep 5 80–100
Collard Greens Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 20 – Aug 22 55–75
Corn — May 2 — Jul 4 – Aug 29 60–100
Cowpeas — May 2 — Jul 4 – Aug 15 60–90
Cress Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 May 9 – May 30 14–21
Crookneck Squash Mar 21 May 2 May 9 Jun 27 – Jul 25 45–60
Crosne — Apr 11 — Sep 12 – Sep 26 150–200
Cucumber Mar 21 May 2 May 9 Jul 4 – Aug 29 50–70
Daikon — Apr 11 — Jun 6 – Jul 4 50–70
Delicata Squash Mar 21 May 2 May 9 Aug 1 – Sep 5 80–100
Edamame — May 2 — Jul 18 – Aug 29 75–100
Eggplant Feb 14 May 2 May 9 Jul 18 – Sep 19 65–85
Endive Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 13 – Jul 18 45–65
Escarole Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 20 – Jul 18 50–70
Fava Beans Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jul 11 – Aug 22 75–100
Fennel Feb 28 May 2 May 9 Jul 11 – Aug 22 60–90
Garlic — — — — 90–240
Green Beans — May 2 — Jun 27 – Aug 22 50–65
Horseradish — — May 9 Sep 12 – Oct 24 120–180
Hot Peppers Feb 14 May 2 May 9 Jul 18 – Oct 24 70–120
Hubbard Squash Mar 21 May 2 May 9 Aug 22 – Sep 26 100–120
Kabocha Mar 21 May 2 May 9 Aug 8 – Sep 5 85–100
Kai Lan Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 13 – Jul 11 45–60
Kale Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 20 – Aug 15 50–70
Kidney Beans — May 2 — Aug 1 – Sep 5 85–110
Kohlrabi Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 13 – Jul 18 45–65
Komatsuna Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 May 30 – Jul 4 35–50
Leeks Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jul 25 – Oct 10 90–150
Lentils Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jul 18 – Aug 29 80–110
Lettuce Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 May 30 – Aug 8 30–60
Lima Beans — May 2 — Jul 4 – Aug 15 60–90
Mache Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 6 – Jul 11 40–60
Melon Mar 21 May 2 May 9 Jul 18 – Sep 5 70–100
Microgreens Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 May 2 – May 30 7–21
Mitsuba Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 18 Jun 13 – Aug 8 50–70
Mizuna Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 May 30 – Jun 27 30–45
Mustard Greens Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 May 30 – Aug 1 30–50
Napa Cabbage Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 20 – Jul 25 55–75
New Zealand Spinach Feb 28 May 2 May 9 Jul 4 – Aug 1 55–70
Okra Feb 28 May 2 May 9 Jul 4 – Aug 29 50–65
Onion Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jul 25 – Sep 12 90–120
Pac Choi Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 6 – Jul 4 40–55
Parsnip — Apr 11 — Jul 25 – Sep 5 100–130
Patty Pan Squash Mar 21 May 2 May 9 Jun 27 – Jul 25 45–60
Peas Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 20 – Aug 15 55–70
Peppers Feb 14 May 2 May 9 Jul 11 – Sep 19 60–90
Pole Beans Feb 28 May 2 May 9 Jul 4 – Aug 29 55–70
Potatoes Feb 28 May 2 May 9 Jul 18 – Sep 26 70–120
Pumpkin Mar 21 May 2 May 9 Aug 8 – Sep 26 85–120
Purslane Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 6 – Jul 11 40–60
Radicchio Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 27 – Aug 1 60–80
Radish — Apr 11 — May 9 – May 30 22–35
Rhubarb — — May 16 — 365–730
Romanesco Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jul 11 – Aug 22 75–100
Rutabaga — Apr 11 — Jul 4 – Aug 8 80–100
Salsify — Apr 11 — Jul 25 – Sep 5 100–130
Savoy Cabbage Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jul 4 – Aug 29 70–110
Scallions Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 20 – Jul 18 50–70
Scarlet Runner Beans Feb 28 May 2 May 9 Jul 11 – Aug 15 60–80
Shallot Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jul 25 – Sep 12 90–120
Shiso Mar 7 May 2 May 9 Jul 4 – Aug 29 50–70
Snap Peas Feb 28 May 2 May 9 Jul 4 – Aug 29 55–70
Snow Peas Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 20 – Aug 15 50–65
Soybeans — May 2 — Jul 25 – Sep 19 80–120
Spaghetti Squash Mar 21 May 2 May 9 Aug 8 – Sep 5 85–100
Spinach Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 May 30 – Aug 1 35–50
Squash (Summer) Mar 21 May 2 May 9 Jun 27 – Aug 29 45–65
Squash (Winter) Mar 21 May 2 May 9 Aug 1 – Sep 26 80–120
Sunchoke — — May 9 Aug 29 – Oct 24 110–150
Sunflower Feb 28 May 2 May 9 Jul 18 – Sep 5 70–100
Sweet Corn — May 2 — Jul 4 – Aug 15 60–90
Sweet Potatoes Feb 28 May 2 May 9 Aug 8 – Sep 26 90–120
Tatsoi Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 May 30 – Jul 4 35–50
Tomatillo Feb 28 May 2 May 9 Jul 11 – Sep 19 60–85
Tomatoes Feb 28 May 2 May 9 Jul 11 – Sep 19 60–85
Turnip — Apr 11 — May 23 – Jun 27 40–60
Watercress Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jun 6 – Jul 11 40–60
Watermelon Mar 21 May 2 May 9 Jul 18 – Sep 5 70–100
Wax Beans — May 2 — Jun 27 – Aug 22 50–65
Winter Melon Feb 28 May 2 May 9 Aug 8 – Sep 26 90–120
Yard Long Beans Feb 28 May 2 May 9 Jul 4 – Aug 15 55–80
Zucchini Mar 21 May 2 May 9 Jun 27 – Aug 22 45–60

Fruits for Zone 5a

Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Harvest Days to Maturity
Alpine Strawberries — — May 16 Aug 15 – Oct 31 90–180
Aronia — — May 16 — 730–1095
Blackberries — — May 16 — 365–730
Blueberries — — May 16 — 730–1095
Boysenberries — — May 16 — 365–730
Cantaloupe — — May 16 Jul 25 – Aug 29 70–90
Che Fruit — — May 16 — 1095–1825
Cranberries — — May 16 — 730–1095
Currants — — May 16 — 730–1095
Elderberries — — May 16 — 730–1095
Goji Berries — — May 16 — 730–1095
Gooseberries — — May 16 — 730–1095
Grapes — — May 16 — 730–1095
Ground Cherry — — May 16 Jul 25 – Sep 19 65–80
Hardy Kiwi — — May 16 — 1095–1825
Haskaps — — May 16 — 730–1095
Honeydew — — May 16 Aug 8 – Sep 19 80–110
Jostaberry — — May 16 — 730–1095
Lingonberries — — May 16 — 730–1095
Medlar — — May 16 — 1095–1825
Mulberries — — May 16 — 730–1825
Pawpaw — — May 16 — 1095–2555
Persimmon — — May 16 — 1095–2555
Quince — — May 16 — 1095–1825
Raspberries — — May 16 — 365–730
Serviceberries — — May 16 — 730–1095
Strawberries — — May 16 Aug 15 – Oct 31 90–365

Herbs for Zone 5a

Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Harvest Days to Maturity
Angelica Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 18 — 365–730
Anise Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 18 Jul 18 – Oct 3 90–120
Basil Mar 7 May 2 May 9 Jul 4 – Sep 5 50–75
Bee Balm — — May 2 Aug 1 – Oct 17 90–120
Borage Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 18 Jun 13 – Aug 1 50–60
Caraway Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 18 — 365–450
Catnip — — May 2 Jul 4 – Sep 5 60–80
Chamomile Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 18 Jun 20 – Aug 29 60–90
Chervil Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 18 May 30 – Aug 1 40–60
Chives — — May 2 Jul 4 – Sep 12 60–90
Cilantro Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 18 May 30 – Aug 1 40–60
Comfrey — — May 2 Jul 4 – Sep 12 60–90
Cumin Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 18 Aug 1 – Oct 3 100–120
Dill Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 18 May 30 – Aug 1 40–60
Echinacea — — May 2 Sep 5 – Oct 17 120–180
Epazote Mar 7 May 2 May 9 Jun 27 – Aug 22 45–60
Fennel (herb) Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 18 Jun 20 – Aug 29 60–90
Feverfew — — May 2 Aug 1 – Oct 17 90–120
Garlic Chives — — May 2 Jul 4 – Sep 12 60–90
Horehound — — May 2 Jul 18 – Sep 12 75–90
Hyssop — — May 2 Jul 11 – Sep 12 70–90
Lavender — — May 2 Aug 1 – Oct 17 90–200
Lemon Balm — — May 2 Jul 4 – Aug 22 60–70
Lemon Thyme — — May 2 Jul 11 – Sep 12 70–90
Lovage — — May 2 Jul 11 – Sep 12 70–90
Mint — — May 2 Jul 4 – Sep 12 60–90
Oregano — — May 2 Jul 4 – Sep 12 60–90
Parsley Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 18 Jun 20 – Aug 22 60–80
Rue — — May 2 Jul 11 – Sep 12 70–90
Sage — — May 2 Jul 18 – Sep 12 75–90
Savory — — May 2 Jun 27 – Aug 22 50–70
Sorrel Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 18 May 30 – Aug 1 40–60
Tarragon — — May 2 Jul 4 – Sep 12 60–90
Thai Basil Mar 7 May 2 May 9 Jul 4 – Sep 5 50–75
Thyme — — May 2 Jul 11 – Sep 12 70–90
Valerian — — May 2 Sep 5 – Oct 17 120–180
Yarrow — — May 2 Aug 1 – Oct 17 90–120

Recommended for Your Garden

🌱
Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

Essential for starting seeds indoors before transplanting.

🧪
Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

Know your soil before you plant for best results.

🔧
Hand Trowel $8-18

Essential garden hand trowel for planting, transplanting, and weeding.

A must-have tool for every gardener.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I grow in Zone 5a?

Zone 5a supports 170 plants in our database including vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers. With a 166-day growing season (last frost ~April 25, first frost ~October 8), you can grow most common garden crops with proper timing.

What is Zone 5a?

USDA Zone 5a has an average annual minimum temperature of -20°F to -15°F.

When is the last frost in Zone 5a?

The average last spring frost in Zone 5a is approximately April 25. The first fall frost averages around October 8, giving a growing season of about 166 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

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Start Composting →

Monthly Planting Guide for Zone 5a

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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