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USDA Zone 2a planting calendar

In USDA Zone 2a, the average last spring frost is around 05/17 and the first fall frost around 09/07, giving roughly a 113-day growing season. Plant cool-season crops from late winter; warm-season crops after the last frost.
Last frost ~05/17 First frost ~09/07 ~113-day season 3 NOAA stations

Frost dates are the median across 3 NOAA weather stations in Zone 2a (1991–2020 normals, 50% probability). Range: last frost 05/15–05/17, first frost 09/01–09/07. For your exact town, use the ZIP tool.

The year in Zone 2a

What to plant now (August)

Radishes
Sow for fall harvest

All crops in Zone 2a

CropStart indoorsTransplant / sowSow for fall
TomatoesApril 16 – April 23May 21 – June 4
PeppersApril 5May 24 – June 7
EggplantApril 9 – April 23May 28 – June 11
BasilApril 16May 21 – June 4
BroccoliMarch 29 – April 5April 19 – May 3May 29 – June 12
CabbageMarch 8 – March 22April 12 – April 26April 19 – May 3
CauliflowerMarch 22 – April 5April 26 – May 10June 3 – June 17
Brussels SproutsMarch 15 – March 29April 19 – May 3
KaleMarch 8 – March 22April 12 – April 26June 8 – June 22
LettuceMarch 19 – March 26April 16 – April 30May 24 – June 7
SpinachApril 9 – April 23July 3 – July 17
OnionsFebruary 8 – February 22April 12 – April 26
LeeksFebruary 15 – March 1April 19 – May 3
Swiss ChardMarch 22 – March 29April 26 – May 10
RadishesApril 19 – May 3July 18 – August 1
TurnipsApril 19 – May 3June 18 – July 2
BeetsApril 26 – May 10June 13 – June 27
CarrotsMay 10 – May 24May 14 – May 28
PeasApril 5 – April 19June 8 – June 22
BeansMay 17 – May 31
Sweet CornMay 17 – May 31
CucumbersApril 30 – May 7May 21 – June 4
Summer Squash & ZucchiniMay 3 – May 10May 24 – June 7
Winter SquashMay 3 – May 10May 24 – June 7
PumpkinsMay 3 – May 10May 24 – June 7
MelonsMay 3 – May 10May 24 – June 7
OkraApril 26 – May 10May 31 – June 14
PotatoesApril 30 – May 14
ParsleyFebruary 19 – February 26April 23 – May 7
CollardsMarch 8 – March 22April 12 – April 26May 24 – June 7
WatermelonMay 3 – May 10May 24 – June 7
Sweet PotatoesMay 21 – June 4
CeleryMarch 1 – March 15May 17 – May 31
KohlrabiMarch 8 – March 22April 12 – April 26
ArtichokeFebruary 22 – March 22May 10 – May 24
AsparagusApril 16 – April 30
CilantroMay 17 – May 31
DillApril 30 – May 14
OreganoMarch 15 – March 29May 17 – May 31
SageMarch 29 – April 12May 17 – May 31
ThymeMarch 15 – March 29May 17 – May 31

Fall bulb planting in Zone 2a

Planted in fall after the first frost, for harvest the following summer — a separate calendar from the spring/fall-harvest crops above.

CropPlant cloves (fall)Harvest
GarlicSeptember 11 – September 25Following summer

Last verified 2026-08-28. Frost: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 Climate Normals. Zone: USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM-derived). Planting rules: UNH Extension, Johnny's Selected Seeds, UGA Extension.