Jacki Cammidge is a Certified Horticulturist specializing in frugal, low-input gardening and propagation, with lifelong hands-on experience and years as a wholesale nursery head propagator.

Planting Guide for USDA Zones

If you're in any of these USDA zones, this is a general guide for planting in your area. Keep in mind that in these zones there are micro climates, and also ways to warm up the soil prior to planting which are not discussed here.

Here’s a simple USDA zone-based planting guide using soil temperature as the main timing signal.

Important note
- Zones tell you average winter cold, not exact planting dates.
- The best time to sow is still based on soil temperature and local frost dates.
- Use this as a starting guide.

USDA Zones 3–4
Very short growing season, cold spring soil

Early spring, as soon as soil reaches 35–45°F
- Spinach
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Radishes

Mid-spring, soil 45–55°F
- Carrots
- Beets
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Parsley
- Cilantro

Late spring to early summer, soil 60°F+
- Beans
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Squash
- Pumpkins

Early summer, soil 65–75°F+
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Melons
- Basil
- Okra only in warm microclimates

Best tip for zones 3–4
- Start warm-season crops indoors
- Use row covers, black plastic, or raised beds to warm soil faster

USDA Zones 5–6
Moderate spring, good range for cool- and warm-season crops

Early spring, soil 35–45°F
- Spinach
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Radishes

Mid-spring, soil 45–55°F
- Carrots
- Beets
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Dill

Late spring, soil 55–65°F
- Potatoes
- Swiss chard
- more lettuce and carrots

After last frost, soil 60°F+
- Beans
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Squash
- Pumpkins

When soil is fully warm, 65–75°F+
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Melons
- Basil
- Okra in warmer parts of zone 6

Best tip for zones 5–6
- Don’t rush beans or cucumbers into cold soil
- Tomatoes and peppers do much better if transplanted after the soil warms well

USDA Zones 7–8
Longer growing season, earlier spring, often good fall gardening too

Late winter to early spring, soil 35–45°F
- Spinach
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Radishes

Early to mid-spring, soil 45–55°F
- Carrots
- Beets
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Potatoes

Mid- to late spring, soil 60°F+
- Beans
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Squash
- Pumpkins

Late spring, soil 65–75°F+
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Melons
- Basil
- Okra

Fall planting option
In many zone 7–8 areas, you can plant these again for fall:
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Radishes
- Carrots
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cilantro

Best tip for zones 7–8
- Use succession planting for lettuce, beans, and cucumbers
- Protect cool-season crops from sudden heat in late spring

USDA Zones 9–10
Mild winters, hot summers, cool-season gardening often works best in fall through spring

Fall to winter, soil cooling to 40–75°F
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Peas
- Radishes
- Carrots
- Beets
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Onions
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Dill

Spring, after soil reaches 60°F+
- Beans
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Squash
- Pumpkins

Late spring, soil 65–75°F+
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Melons
- Basil
- Okra

Hot weather caution
- Lettuce, spinach, and cilantro often bolt quickly in heat
- Tomatoes may struggle to set fruit in very high temperatures
- Mulch helps moderate soil heat and moisture

Best tip for zones 9–10
- Focus on cool-season vegetables in fall and winter
- Grow heat-lovers before extreme summer heat arrives

USDA Zones 11+
Tropical or near-tropical climate, planting depends more on wet/dry season and extreme heat than frost

Cooler part of the year
- Lettuce
- Greens
- Herbs like cilantro and parsley
- Brassicas if your local climate allows

Warm part of the year
- Beans
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Squash
- Melons
- Basil
- Okra
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Sweet potatoes

Best tip for zones 11+
- Use local seasonal patterns, not frost dates
- Shade cloth and mulch are often more important than cold protection

Quick reference by soil temperature
- 35–45°F: spinach, peas, onions, lettuce
- 45–55°F: carrots, beets, brassicas, parsley
- 60°F+: beans, cucumbers, squash, corn
- 65–75°F+: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, melons, basil, okra

Best overall rule
If your soil is still cold, wait.
Seeds planted in ideal soil usually catch up and outperform seeds planted too early.

---

Sign up here for all the updates;