USDA Zone 5b planting calendar
The year in Zone 5b
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 5b
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant / sow | Sow for fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | April 3 – April 10 | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Peppers | March 23 | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Eggplant | March 27 – April 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Basil | April 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Broccoli | March 16 – March 23 | April 6 – April 20 | June 29 – July 13 |
| Cabbage | February 23 – March 9 | March 30 – April 13 | May 20 – June 3 |
| Cauliflower | March 9 – March 23 | April 13 – April 27 | July 4 – July 18 |
| Brussels Sprouts | March 2 – March 16 | April 6 – April 20 | — |
| Kale | February 23 – March 9 | March 30 – April 13 | July 9 – July 23 |
| Lettuce | March 6 – March 13 | April 3 – April 17 | June 24 – July 8 |
| Spinach | — | March 27 – April 10 | August 3 – August 17 |
| Onions | January 26 – February 9 | March 30 – April 13 | — |
| Leeks | February 2 – February 16 | April 6 – April 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | March 9 – March 16 | April 13 – April 27 | — |
| Radishes | — | April 6 – April 20 | August 18 – September 1 |
| Turnips | — | April 6 – April 20 | July 19 – August 2 |
| Beets | — | April 13 – April 27 | July 14 – July 28 |
| Carrots | — | April 27 – May 11 | June 14 – June 28 |
| Peas | — | March 23 – April 6 | July 9 – July 23 |
| Beans | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Cucumbers | April 17 – April 24 | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Summer Squash & Zucchini | April 20 – April 27 | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Winter Squash | April 20 – April 27 | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Pumpkins | April 20 – April 27 | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Melons | April 20 – April 27 | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Okra | April 13 – April 27 | May 18 – June 1 | — |
| Potatoes | — | April 17 – May 1 | — |
| Parsley | February 6 – February 13 | April 10 – April 24 | — |
| Collards | February 23 – March 9 | March 30 – April 13 | June 24 – July 8 |
| Watermelon | April 20 – April 27 | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Celery | February 16 – March 2 | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Kohlrabi | February 23 – March 9 | March 30 – April 13 | — |
| Artichoke | February 9 – March 9 | April 27 – May 11 | — |
| Asparagus | — | April 3 – April 17 | — |
| Cilantro | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Dill | — | April 17 – May 1 | — |
| Oregano | March 2 – March 16 | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Sage | March 16 – March 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Thyme | March 2 – March 16 | May 4 – May 18 | — |
Fall bulb planting in Zone 5b
| Crop | Plant cloves (fall) | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Garlic | October 12 – October 26 | 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.