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USDA Zone 4b planting calendar

In USDA Zone 4b, the average last spring frost is around 05/10 and the first fall frost around 09/30, giving roughly a 141-day growing season. Plant cool-season crops from late winter; warm-season crops after the last frost.
Last frost ~05/10 First frost ~09/30 ~141-day season 51 NOAA stations

Frost dates are the median across 51 NOAA weather stations in Zone 4b (1991–2020 normals, 50% probability). Range: last frost 05/05–06/01, first frost 09/13–10/04. For your exact town, use the ZIP tool.

The year in Zone 4b

What to plant now (October)

Garlic
Plant cloves (harvest next summer)

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 4b

CropStart indoorsTransplant / sowSow for fall
TomatoesApril 9 – April 16May 14 – May 28—
PeppersMarch 29May 17 – May 31—
EggplantApril 2 – April 16May 21 – June 4—
BasilApril 9May 14 – May 28—
BroccoliMarch 22 – March 29April 12 – April 26June 21 – July 5
CabbageMarch 1 – March 15April 5 – April 19May 12 – May 26
CauliflowerMarch 15 – March 29April 19 – May 3June 26 – July 10
Brussels SproutsMarch 8 – March 22April 12 – April 26—
KaleMarch 1 – March 15April 5 – April 19July 1 – July 15
LettuceMarch 12 – March 19April 9 – April 23June 16 – June 30
Spinach—April 2 – April 16July 26 – August 9
OnionsFebruary 1 – February 15April 5 – April 19—
LeeksFebruary 8 – February 22April 12 – April 26—
Swiss ChardMarch 15 – March 22April 19 – May 3—
Radishes—April 12 – April 26August 10 – August 24
Turnips—April 12 – April 26July 11 – July 25
Beets—April 19 – May 3July 6 – July 20
Carrots—May 3 – May 17June 6 – June 20
Peas—March 29 – April 12July 1 – July 15
Beans—May 10 – May 24—
Sweet Corn—May 10 – May 24—
CucumbersApril 23 – April 30May 14 – May 28—
Summer Squash & ZucchiniApril 26 – May 3May 17 – May 31—
Winter SquashApril 26 – May 3May 17 – May 31—
PumpkinsApril 26 – May 3May 17 – May 31—
MelonsApril 26 – May 3May 17 – May 31—
OkraApril 19 – May 3May 24 – June 7—
Potatoes—April 23 – May 7—
ParsleyFebruary 12 – February 19April 16 – April 30—
CollardsMarch 1 – March 15April 5 – April 19June 16 – June 30
WatermelonApril 26 – May 3May 17 – May 31—
Sweet Potatoes—May 14 – May 28—
CeleryFebruary 22 – March 8May 10 – May 24—
KohlrabiMarch 1 – March 15April 5 – April 19—
ArtichokeFebruary 15 – March 15May 3 – May 17—
Asparagus—April 9 – April 23—
Cilantro—May 10 – May 24—
Dill—April 23 – May 7—
OreganoMarch 8 – March 22May 10 – May 24—
SageMarch 22 – April 5May 10 – May 24—
ThymeMarch 8 – March 22May 10 – May 24—

Fall bulb planting in Zone 4b

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
GarlicOctober 4 – October 18Following 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.