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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

Jan—Feb4 tasksMar15 tasksApr27 tasksMay35 tasksJun20 tasksJul3 tasksAug1 taskSep1 taskOct—Nov—Dec—

What to plant now (October)

October falls between planting windows here. The next window opens around February 8 (Onions, Leeks, Parsley, Artichoke) — see February.

Choose supplies for your planting plan

Check the crop's sowing method first. Trays and seed-starting mix are for indoor starts; row cover can help protect outdoor seedlings. Reuse supplies you already have, and check product dimensions before ordering.

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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
Spinach—April 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—
Radishes—April 19 – May 3July 18 – August 1
Turnips—April 19 – May 3June 18 – July 2
Beets—April 26 – May 10June 13 – June 27
Carrots—May 10 – May 24May 14 – May 28
Peas—April 5 – April 19June 8 – June 22
Beans—May 17 – May 31—
Sweet Corn—May 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—
Potatoes—April 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 Potatoes—May 21 – June 4—
CeleryMarch 1 – March 15May 17 – May 31—
KohlrabiMarch 8 – March 22April 12 – April 26—
ArtichokeFebruary 22 – March 22May 10 – May 24—
Asparagus—April 16 – April 30—
Cilantro—May 17 – May 31—
Dill—April 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

Calendar computed 2026-10-07. 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.