When to Plant Vegetables: Complete Month-by-Month Calendar
Knowing when to plant vegetables is the difference between a lush garden and a season of disappointment. Plant too early and cold, wet soil rots your seeds; plant too late and your tomatoes never ripen before the first fall frost.
The entire system is simple once you understand two dates: your last spring frost date and your first fall frost date. This month-by-month guide walks you through both, with a planting calendar for zones 5–7 you can adjust for any area.
Quick Answer: Find your last spring frost date, then plant cool-season crops (lettuce, peas, spinach) 2–4 weeks before it, and warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) 1–2 weeks after it when soil reaches 60°F.
When to Plant Greens in Spring
Greens are cool-season crops that thrive in mild weather and tolerate light frost. Plant greens in early spring 2–4 weeks before your last frost date.
| Green | When to Plant | Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | 2–4 weeks before last frost | 30–60 days |
| Spinach | 4–6 weeks before last frost | 37–45 days |
| Kale | 3–5 weeks before last frost | 55–75 days |
| Arugula | 3–4 weeks before last frost | 35–45 days |
| Swiss Chard | 2–3 weeks before last frost | 30–60 days |
When to Plant Greens in Fall
Fall is the best time for greens. Cooler temperatures reduce bitterness and bolt risk. Plant fall greens 6–8 weeks before your first fall frost.
| Green | When to Plant (Fall) | Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | August–September | 30–60 days |
| Spinach | August–September | 37–45 days |
| Kale | July–August | 55–75 days |
| Arugula | August–September | 35–45 days |
When to Plant Tomatoes
Start seeds indoors: 6–8 weeks before last frost Transplant outdoors: 1–2 weeks after last frost when soil reaches 60°F Direct sow: Not recommended — transplant for best results
When to Plant Peppers
Start seeds indoors: 8–10 weeks before last frost Transplant outdoors: 2–3 weeks after last frost when soil reaches 65°F Direct sow: Not recommended — peppers need warm soil
Month-by-Month Planting Calendar (Zones 5–7)
| Month | What to Do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan season, order seeds, review last year’s notes |
| February | Start onions, leeks, celery indoors |
| March | Start tomatoes, peppers, eggplant indoors. Zone 7: sow peas, spinach, lettuce outdoors |
| April | Zones 5–6: sow peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, carrots, beets. Zone 7: transplant cool crops |
| May | After last frost: transplant tomatoes, peppers; sow beans, corn, squash, cucumbers |
| June | Succession-sow beans and greens. Start fall brassicas indoors |
| July | Sow fall carrots, beets, bush beans. Transplant fall brassicas early |
| August | Direct-sow fall lettuce, spinach, radishes, kale. Plant second round of peas |
| September | Keep harvesting. Clean up tired plants |
| October | Plant garlic for next summer. Mulch beds, add compost |
| November | Finish cleanup, cover beds with mulch or leaves |
| December | Rest, plan, order next year’s seeds |
When to Plant Each Vegetable: Quick Reference
| Vegetable | Plant Indoors | Transplant/Direct Sow | Soil Temp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | 6–8 weeks before last frost | Transplant after last frost | 60°F+ |
| Peppers | 8–10 weeks before last frost | Transplant 2–3 weeks after last frost | 65°F+ |
| Cucumbers | 3–4 weeks before last frost | Direct sow or transplant | 60°F+ |
| Beans | — | Direct sow after last frost | 60°F+ |
| Lettuce | — | Direct sow 2–4 weeks before last frost | 45°F+ |
| Spinach | — | Direct sow 4–6 weeks before last frost | 45°F+ |
| Carrots | — | Direct sow 2–3 weeks before last frost | 55°F+ |
| Radishes | — | Direct sow 2–4 weeks before last frost | 45°F+ |
| Broccoli | 6–8 weeks before last frost | Transplant 2–3 weeks before last frost | 60°F+ |
| Corn | — | Direct sow after last frost | 65°F+ |
| Squash | 3–4 weeks before last frost | Direct sow or transplant | 60°F+ |
| Peas | — | Direct sow 4–6 weeks before last frost | 45°F+ |
Soil Temperature Chart for Planting
| Vegetable | Minimum Germination Temp | Optimal Germination Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | 40°F | 60–70°F |
| Spinach | 40°F | 60–70°F |
| Peas | 40°F | 60–70°F |
| Radishes | 45°F | 60–70°F |
| Carrots | 50°F | 65–75°F |
| Beets | 50°F | 65–75°F |
| Beans | 60°F | 70–80°F |
| Tomatoes | 60°F | 75–85°F |
| Peppers | 65°F | 80–90°F |
| Cucumbers | 60°F | 75–85°F |
| Corn | 60°F | 75–85°F |
| Squash | 60°F | 75–85°F |
When to Plant Vegetables by Zone
Zone 5
- Last frost: Mid-May
- First frost: Late September
- Spring planting window: Late April–June
- Fall planting: August–September
Zone 6
- Last frost: Early May
- First frost: Early October
- Spring planting window: Mid-April–June
- Fall planting: August–September
Zone 7
- Last frost: Mid-April
- First frost: Mid-October
- Spring planting window: Early April–June
- Fall planting: August–October
Zone 8
- Last frost: Late March
- First frost: Early November
- Spring planting window: March–June
- Fall planting: August–November
Succession Planting: Keep the Harvest Coming
Most vegetables produce everything at once, then stop. Succession planting fixes this:
- Plant a short row of lettuce every 2–3 weeks instead of one long row
- Sow radishes every 2 weeks from spring through fall
- Plant bush beans every 3 weeks for continuous pods
- Follow spring peas with summer beans, then fall lettuce
Common Mistakes When Planting Vegetables
-
Planting warm-season crops too early. Cold soil rots seeds and stalls transplants. Wait for 60°F soil for tomatoes and peppers.
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Ignoring your zone. Advice from two zones south doesn’t apply to you. Check your zone and frost dates.
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Planting everything at once. One giant sowing means one harvest, then nothing. Succession-plant small batches.
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Skipping the fall garden. Cool-season crops grow beautifully in fall. Plant lettuce, spinach, and brassicas by late summer.
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Not hardening off transplants. Indoor seedlings need 7–10 days of gradual outdoor exposure before transplanting.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you plant vegetables in spring?
Plant cool crops like peas and lettuce 2–4 weeks before last frost, and warm crops like tomatoes and peppers 1–2 weeks after last frost when nights stay above 50°F.
Can you plant vegetables in fall?
Yes. Plant cool crops like spinach, carrots, and garlic in late summer for fall harvest. Many taste sweeter after light frost. Garlic planted in October is ready the following July.
What happens if you plant vegetables before the last frost?
Cool-season crops like lettuce and peas tolerate light frost and usually survive. Warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers are killed by frost, and cold soil can rot seeds.
What is the best month to plant a vegetable garden?
In zones 5–7, the busy window runs mid-April through mid-June: cool crops first, warm crops after last frost. Fall planting runs August through September.
How do you know when to plant vegetables by zone?
Find your USDA zone, then use local extension frost-date tables. Zone 5 last frost is mid-May; Zone 9 is February. Your county extension gives exact dates.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors?
About 6–8 weeks before your last frost date. Start earlier in cold climates, later in warm ones.
