Planting Calendar by USDA Zone — What to Plant & When (2026)
Month-by-month planting guides customized for your USDA hardiness zone. Know exactly what to plant and when for a productive garden year-round.
Companion resources: Use these calendars alongside our 73+ plant growing guides for crop-specific instructions, our how-to guides for techniques like seed starting, and our pest control library for organic solutions.
What is a planting calendar?
A planting calendar tells you what to plant and when based on your local climate. Different USDA hardiness zones have different frost dates, growing season lengths, and temperature ranges. By following a zone-specific planting calendar, you'll sow seeds at the right time, avoid frost damage, and maximize your harvest window.
USDA Hardiness Zones 3–10
Not sure of your zone? Check your zip code at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Short growing season with harsh winters. Focus on cold-hardy and fast-maturing varieties.
Frost-Free: June 1 – Sept 1Cold winters with a moderate growing season. Many popular vegetables thrive with proper timing.
Frost-Free: May 20 – Sept 15A versatile zone supporting a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and some fruits with good season extension.
Frost-Free: May 10 – Oct 1One of the most popular gardening zones with a generous season for warm and cool-season crops alike.
Frost-Free: April 30 – Oct 15A long growing season ideal for two full planting rounds—cool-season in spring/fall and warm-season in summer.
Frost-Free: April 15 – Nov 1Mild winters and hot summers allow nearly year-round gardening with smart crop selection.
Frost-Free: March 25 – Nov 15Nearly year-round growing season with mild winters. Heat management in summer is the main challenge.
Frost-Free: March 1 – Dec 1Tropical and subtropical growing with no real winter. Heat-adapted varieties and timing are key.
Frost-Free: Year-round (rare light frost)How to Use This Calendar
- Find your USDA zone — Enter your zip code at the USDA map to determine your hardiness zone.
- Click your zone above — This opens your zone's January guide. You can navigate month-by-month.
- Follow the monthly tasks — Each month includes specific tasks for starting seeds, transplanting, direct sowing, harvesting, and maintaining your garden.
- Click linked plants — Each page links to detailed growing guides for the plants mentioned that month.
Zone Quick Reference
| Zone | Frost-Free Period | Growing Season |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | June 1 – Sept 1 | Short growing season with harsh winters |
| Zone 4 | May 20 – Sept 15 | Cold winters with a moderate growing season |
| Zone 5 | May 10 – Oct 1 | A versatile zone supporting a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and some fruits with good season extension |
| Zone 6 | April 30 – Oct 15 | One of the most popular gardening zones with a generous season for warm and cool-season crops alike |
| Zone 7 | April 15 – Nov 1 | A long growing season ideal for two full planting rounds—cool-season in spring/fall and warm-season in summer |
| Zone 8 | March 25 – Nov 15 | Mild winters and hot summers allow nearly year-round gardening with smart crop selection |
| Zone 9 | March 1 – Dec 1 | Nearly year-round growing season with mild winters |
| Zone 10 | Year-round (rare light frost) | Tropical and subtropical growing with no real winter |
Related Gardening Resources
- Plant Growing Guides — detailed instructions for 73+ vegetables, herbs, fruits, and edible flowers
- Seed Starting Guide — learn when and how to start seeds indoors
- Companion Planting Guide — maximize yield with plant partnerships
- Raised Bed Gardening — build and plant a productive raised bed
- Pest & Disease Library — organic solutions for common garden problems