When to Start Planting According to Your Hardiness ZoneThe United States is broken into 13 hardiness zones. Each zone has specific requirements for when certain plants should be started. The zones were created based on the area’s lowest average temperature. Zone 1 is known for its harsh conditions. Because of this, some plants simply aren’t suited to grow in this zone. For more information on what plants are suitable for zone 1 and when they should be started, check out our zone 1 graph below. Garden Planting Chart (start seeds in a controlled environment before these dates as indicated) Vegetable Start plants this long before planting (for your region) Zone 1 Zone 2 Zones 3 & 4 Zones 5 & 6 Days to maturity / harvest Artichokes Crown Aug – Oct Aug – Nov (globe) pieces May – Jun Apr – June Asparagus 1 year Mar – Apr Feb – Mar Apr 15 – May 1 Apr 5 – 25 2nd seas. Beans (lima) not May – Jun May 15 – Jun 10 May 10 – 25 65-75 suitable Beans (snap) May – Jun May – July May 15 – Jul 1 May 10 – 20 50-60 Beets Mar – Jun Mar – Jun Apr 15 – Jul 1 Apr 1 – 15 55-65 Broccoli 6 weeks May – Jun Mar – Aug Apr 15 – Jun 1 Mar 25 – Apr 5 Apr 5 60-80 Sep 25 – 30 Brussels sprouts 6 weeks May – Jun May – Jul Apr 15 – Jun 1 Cabbage 6 weeks Jan – Apr Apr – Jun April 1 – May 1 Apr 1 – 20 65-80 July – Sep Sep 20 – 30 Cantaloupes 4 weeks not May May 15 – June 1 May 10- 20 80-90 suitable Carrots Jan – Jun Mar – Jul 15 April 15 – June 15 Mar 25 – Apr 10 70-80 Sept 20-30 Vegetable Start plants this long before planting (for your region) Zone 1 Zone 2 Zones 3 & 4 Zones 5 & 6 Days to maturity / harvest Cauliflower 6 weeks January & Apr – Jul 15 April 15 – June 15 Apr 1 – 20 55-60 June Sept 20 – 30 Celery 9 weeks Mar – Jun Mar – Jul May (mid) Chard Feb – May Apr – Jul May (early) Chinese 4 weeks Jul – Aug August Jul (early) cabbage Chives 6 weeks Apr – May Mar – May Corn (sweet) Apr – May Apr – Jun May 1 to Jul 20 80-100 Cucumbers 4 weeks Apr – Jun May – Jun May 1 – Jun 15 May 10 – 30 60-65 (slicing) Cucumbers 4 weeks May May – Jun (pickling) Dill May May Eggplants 9 weeks not May Jun (early) May 15 – 25 70-90 suitable Endive 6 weeks Mar – Jul Apr – Aug 15 Apr (mid) Garlic Sep – Oct Sep – Feb Oct – Nov 1 Kale May – Jul May – July Apr 15 – Jul 15 Mar 25 – Apr 5 50-70 Vegetable Start plants this long before planting (for your region) Zone 1 Zone 2 Zones 3 & 4 Zones 5 & 6 Days to maturity / harvest Kohlrabi Jul – Aug Apr – Aug 15 Apr 15 – Aug 15 Apr (early) Sept (late) Leeks Feb – Apr Mar – May Lettuce (head) 5 weeks Feb – Jul Apr -July Apr 15 – Aug 15 Apr 1 – May 15 60-85 Sep 1 – 15 Lettuce (leaf) 5 weeks Feb – Aug Apr – Aug Apr 15 – May 1 Apr 1 – Jun 15 45-65 Sep 1 – 15 Okra 8 weeks not not Jun (early) May 10 – 25 55-60 suitable suitable Onions 10 weeks Jan – May Mar – May Apr (mid) Mar 25 – Apr 15 100-120 Sep 1 – Dec 31 Parsley 10 weeks Dec – May Mar – Jun Apr 15 – May 1 Parsnips May – June Apr – May May 1 – 15 Peas Jan – Aug Feb – May Apr 10 – May 15 Mar 25 – Apr 10 60-80 Peppers 10 weeks May May – June Jun (early) May 15 – May 30 65-80 Potatoes 6 weeks not not Jun (early) May 15 – Jun 5 90-150 (sweet) suitable suitable Vegetable Start plants this long before planting (for your region) Zone 1 Zone 2 Zones 3 & 4 Zones 5 & 6 Days to maturity / harvest Potatoes (white) Feb – May Apr – Jun Apr 15 – Jun 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15 70-90 Pumpkins May May May (mid) May 15 – 30 85-90 Radish All year Mar – Sep Apr 10 – Jun 1 Mar 25 – May 1 Aug 1 – 20 25-30 Aug 1 – Aug 15 Rhubarb Crown Dec – Jan Mar – Apr Apr 15 – May 1 pieces Rutabagas Jun – Jul Jun – July May 15 – Jun 15 Spinach Aug – Feb April or Apr (mid) April 1 – 20 40-45 Sept. Aug 1- Aug 15 Aug 10 – Sep 20 Squash 4 weeks May May – Jun May 10 – Jun 1 May 15 – 30 50-55 (summer) Squash (winter) 4 weeks May May May 10 – Jun 1 May 15 – 30 85-90 Tomatoes 8 weeks May – Jun May May 15 – Jun 1 May 15 – 30 70-85 Turnips January & Apr – Sep Apr (mid) Mar 25 – May 1 45-65 August Aug (early) Aug 5 – Set 20 Watermelons 4 weeks not May May 15 – Jun 1 May 10 – 12 80-90 suitable For many crops, the quantity of starts to plant should be divided into several plantings, 1 or 2 weeks apart. This schedule was compiled from extension service materials and is incomplete. We will update it when possible. Look up your local USDA extension office for more information. This table cannot be republished without permission. The Garden Tower Project is committed to socially-responsible practices at every level of gardening. Our mission is simple: to help transform the face of gardening and food sustainability across the world. The Garden Tower® 2 vertical planting system is one step toward achieving food security. If you are ready to learn more about achieving food security for yourself, visit the Garden Tower Project today.