Your Personal Planting Calendar

A USDA hardiness zone is a geographic area defined by its average annual minimum winter temperature. The US is divided into 13 zones (1a-13b), each representing a 5°F temperature range. Knowing your zone helps you choose plants that can survive your winters.

Most seeds should be started indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Cool-season crops like broccoli and lettuce can be started 8-10 weeks early, while warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers need 6-8 weeks. Our calendar provides specific timing for your zone.

Enter your ZIP code in our planting calendar tool to find your approximate last spring frost and first fall frost dates based on historical data. These dates help you plan when to transplant seedlings outdoors and when to protect plants in autumn.

In zones 9-13, many vegetables can be grown year-round with proper planning. In colder zones, you can extend your season with cold frames, row covers, and succession planting. Our calendar shows what to plant each month for your specific zone.

Lettuce, radishes, green beans, tomatoes, and zucchini are excellent choices for beginners. They are forgiving, fast-growing, and produce abundant harvests. Start with these and expand your garden as you gain experience.