When to Plant Vegetables Across the United States
State-by-state planting dates, USDA hardiness zones, frost dates, and growing tips for all 50 states.
Get Exact Dates with Free CalculatorNortheast
Connecticut
USDA Zones 5b-7a
140-185 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Maine
USDA Zones 3b-6a
100-160 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Massachusetts
USDA Zones 5b-7a
140-200 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
New Hampshire
USDA Zones 3b-6a
100-160 frost-free days depending on location
2 cities with frost date data
New Jersey
USDA Zones 6a-7b
160-220 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
New York
USDA Zones 3b-7b
100-220 frost-free days depending on location
4 cities with frost date data
Pennsylvania
USDA Zones 5b-7b
140-210 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Rhode Island
USDA Zones 6a-7a
150-200 frost-free days depending on location
2 cities with frost date data
Vermont
USDA Zones 3b-5b
100-155 frost-free days depending on location
2 cities with frost date data
Southeast
Alabama
USDA Zones 7a-9a
200-280 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Arkansas
USDA Zones 6b-8a
180-240 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Delaware
USDA Zones 7a-7b
180-210 frost-free days depending on location
2 cities with frost date data
Florida
USDA Zones 8b-11a
240-365 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Georgia
USDA Zones 7a-9a
200-290 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Kentucky
USDA Zones 6a-7a
170-210 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Louisiana
USDA Zones 8a-9b
240-310 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Maryland
USDA Zones 5b-8a
150-220 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Mississippi
USDA Zones 7b-9a
220-280 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
North Carolina
USDA Zones 5b-8b
150-250 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
South Carolina
USDA Zones 7a-9a
200-280 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Tennessee
USDA Zones 6a-8a
170-230 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Virginia
USDA Zones 5b-8a
150-230 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
West Virginia
USDA Zones 5a-7a
130-190 frost-free days depending on location
2 cities with frost date data
Midwest
Illinois
USDA Zones 5a-7a
155-210 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Indiana
USDA Zones 5b-6b
155-200 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Iowa
USDA Zones 4b-5b
140-170 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Michigan
USDA Zones 4a-6b
110-180 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Minnesota
USDA Zones 3a-5a
100-160 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Missouri
USDA Zones 5b-7a
170-210 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Ohio
USDA Zones 5b-6b
155-200 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Wisconsin
USDA Zones 3b-5b
115-165 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Plains
Kansas
USDA Zones 5b-7a
165-200 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Nebraska
USDA Zones 4a-5b
130-170 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
North Dakota
USDA Zones 3a-4b
100-135 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Oklahoma
USDA Zones 6b-8a
190-230 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
South Dakota
USDA Zones 3b-5a
110-145 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Texas
USDA Zones 6b-10a
180-330 frost-free days depending on location
4 cities with frost date data
Mountain West
Colorado
USDA Zones 3a-7a
60-165 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Idaho
USDA Zones 3b-7a
90-165 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Montana
USDA Zones 3a-6a
90-145 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Nevada
USDA Zones 4b-9b
100-270 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
New Mexico
USDA Zones 4b-8b
120-220 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Utah
USDA Zones 4a-9a
90-210 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Wyoming
USDA Zones 3a-5b
80-130 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Pacific
Alaska
USDA Zones 1a-7b
60-135 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
California
USDA Zones 5a-11a
150-365 frost-free days depending on location
4 cities with frost date data
Hawaii
USDA Zones 10a-13a
365 frost-free days year-round
2 cities with frost date data
Oregon
USDA Zones 4b-9b
100-260 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Washington
USDA Zones 4b-9a
100-250 frost-free days depending on location
3 cities with frost date data
Southwest
How to Use Planting Dates
Find Your Frost Dates
Look up the average last spring frost and first fall frost dates for your city. These define your growing season.
Count Backwards
Each crop has specific timing relative to your frost date. Count backwards from your target harvest or forwards from last frost to find planting windows.
Start Seeds Indoors
Warm-season crops like tomatoes need 6-10 weeks indoors before transplanting after the last frost date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my USDA hardiness zone?
USDA hardiness zones are based on average annual minimum winter temperatures. The US ranges from zone 1 (coldest, Alaska interior) to zone 13 (warmest, Hawaii and Puerto Rico). Check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map for your exact location, or find your state below for the zone range.
When should I start planting in the United States?
Planting dates vary enormously across the US. In the deep South (zones 8-10), spring planting begins as early as February. In the upper Midwest and northern states (zones 3-5), most planting starts in mid to late May. Your last frost date is the key — use it to calculate when to start seeds indoors and when to transplant outdoors.
What vegetables grow in all US states?
Cold-hardy crops like peas, lettuce, kale, spinach, carrots, and potatoes can be grown in every US state. Warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers grow in all states with indoor seed starting and proper timing around frost dates.
How long is the growing season in the US?
Growing seasons range from about 60 frost-free days in parts of Alaska and high mountain areas to 365 days in southern Florida and Hawaii. Most of the continental US has 120-250 frost-free days, which is plenty for a diverse vegetable garden.
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