USDA Zone 3b planting calendar
The year in Zone 3b
What to plant now (October)
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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Seed-starting traysBurpee SuperSeed 36-cell trayReusable cells that pop seedlings out with the roots intact at transplant time.See it on Amazon- Seed-starting mixEspoma Organic Seed StarterA fine, sterile mix so small seeds can push through and seedlings don't rot.See it on Amazon
- Floating row coverAgribon AG-30 row coverAdds a few degrees of frost protection on cold nights and keeps insects off young plants.See it on Amazon
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All crops in Zone 3b
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant / sow | Sow for fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | April 19 – April 26 | May 24 – June 7 | — |
| Peppers | April 8 | May 27 – June 10 | — |
| Eggplant | April 12 – April 26 | May 31 – June 14 | — |
| Basil | April 19 | May 24 – June 7 | — |
| Broccoli | April 1 – April 8 | April 22 – May 6 | June 10 – June 24 |
| Cabbage | March 11 – March 25 | April 15 – April 29 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Cauliflower | March 25 – April 8 | April 29 – May 13 | June 15 – June 29 |
| Brussels Sprouts | March 18 – April 1 | April 22 – May 6 | — |
| Kale | March 11 – March 25 | April 15 – April 29 | June 20 – July 4 |
| Lettuce | March 22 – March 29 | April 19 – May 3 | June 5 – June 19 |
| Spinach | — | April 12 – April 26 | July 15 – July 29 |
| Onions | February 11 – February 25 | April 15 – April 29 | — |
| Leeks | February 18 – March 4 | April 22 – May 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | March 25 – April 1 | April 29 – May 13 | — |
| Radishes | — | April 22 – May 6 | July 30 – August 13 |
| Turnips | — | April 22 – May 6 | June 30 – July 14 |
| Beets | — | April 29 – May 13 | June 25 – July 9 |
| Carrots | — | May 13 – May 27 | May 26 – June 9 |
| Peas | — | April 8 – April 22 | June 20 – July 4 |
| Beans | — | May 20 – June 3 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | May 20 – June 3 | — |
| Cucumbers | May 3 – May 10 | May 24 – June 7 | — |
| Summer Squash & Zucchini | May 6 – May 13 | May 27 – June 10 | — |
| Winter Squash | May 6 – May 13 | May 27 – June 10 | — |
| Pumpkins | May 6 – May 13 | May 27 – June 10 | — |
| Melons | May 6 – May 13 | May 27 – June 10 | — |
| Okra | April 29 – May 13 | June 3 – June 17 | — |
| Potatoes | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Parsley | February 22 – March 1 | April 26 – May 10 | — |
| Collards | March 11 – March 25 | April 15 – April 29 | June 5 – June 19 |
| Watermelon | May 6 – May 13 | May 27 – June 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 24 – June 7 | — |
| Celery | March 4 – March 18 | May 20 – June 3 | — |
| Kohlrabi | March 11 – March 25 | April 15 – April 29 | — |
| Artichoke | February 25 – March 25 | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Asparagus | — | April 19 – May 3 | — |
| Cilantro | — | May 20 – June 3 | — |
| Dill | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Oregano | March 18 – April 1 | May 20 – June 3 | — |
| Sage | April 1 – April 15 | May 20 – June 3 | — |
| Thyme | March 18 – April 1 | May 20 – June 3 | — |
Fall bulb planting in Zone 3b
| Crop | Plant cloves (fall) | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Garlic | September 23 – October 7 | Following summer |
Calendar computed 2026-10-01. 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.