USDA Zone 5a planting calendar
The year in Zone 5a
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 5a
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant / sow | Sow for fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | April 11 – April 18 | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Peppers | March 31 | May 19 – June 2 | — |
| Eggplant | April 4 – April 18 | May 23 – June 6 | — |
| Basil | April 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Broccoli | March 24 – March 31 | April 14 – April 28 | June 22 – July 6 |
| Cabbage | March 3 – March 17 | April 7 – April 21 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Cauliflower | March 17 – March 31 | April 21 – May 5 | June 27 – July 11 |
| Brussels Sprouts | March 10 – March 24 | April 14 – April 28 | — |
| Kale | March 3 – March 17 | April 7 – April 21 | July 2 – July 16 |
| Lettuce | March 14 – March 21 | April 11 – April 25 | June 17 – July 1 |
| Spinach | — | April 4 – April 18 | July 27 – August 10 |
| Onions | February 3 – February 17 | April 7 – April 21 | — |
| Leeks | February 10 – February 24 | April 14 – April 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | March 17 – March 24 | April 21 – May 5 | — |
| Radishes | — | April 14 – April 28 | August 11 – August 25 |
| Turnips | — | April 14 – April 28 | July 12 – July 26 |
| Beets | — | April 21 – May 5 | July 7 – July 21 |
| Carrots | — | May 5 – May 19 | June 7 – June 21 |
| Peas | — | March 31 – April 14 | July 2 – July 16 |
| Beans | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Cucumbers | April 25 – May 2 | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Summer Squash & Zucchini | April 28 – May 5 | May 19 – June 2 | — |
| Winter Squash | April 28 – May 5 | May 19 – June 2 | — |
| Pumpkins | April 28 – May 5 | May 19 – June 2 | — |
| Melons | April 28 – May 5 | May 19 – June 2 | — |
| Okra | April 21 – May 5 | May 26 – June 9 | — |
| Potatoes | — | April 25 – May 9 | — |
| Parsley | February 14 – February 21 | April 18 – May 2 | — |
| Collards | March 3 – March 17 | April 7 – April 21 | June 17 – July 1 |
| Watermelon | April 28 – May 5 | May 19 – June 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Celery | February 24 – March 10 | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Kohlrabi | March 3 – March 17 | April 7 – April 21 | — |
| Artichoke | February 17 – March 17 | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Asparagus | — | April 11 – April 25 | — |
| Cilantro | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Dill | — | April 25 – May 9 | — |
| Oregano | March 10 – March 24 | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Sage | March 24 – April 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Thyme | March 10 – March 24 | May 12 – May 26 | — |
Fall bulb planting in Zone 5a
| Crop | Plant cloves (fall) | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Garlic | October 5 – October 19 | 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.