> Next: Climate and Exposure
Where You Live and When to Plant
On this page find your U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone, predicted last frost dates, and a useful tool for estimating when to plant various vegetables in your home vegetable garden, including:
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- Plant Hardiness Zones explained.
- Plant Hardiness maps for selected locations around the world.
- Estimated dates of the last frost in each climate zone.
- Vegetable plants and Hardiness information.
- Month-by-month recommendations for vegetables to plant in three plant-hardiness-zone groups
Southern Hemisphere Gardening Note:
Gardeners located in the Southern Hemisphere may adapt the recommended dates for Northern Hemisphere planting and harvesting times found in this page’s Planting and Harvesting Planner table (see below) by adding 6 months to or subtracting 6 months from the Northern Hemisphere planting month provided.
Using Plant Hardiness Zones for Vegetables
The U.S. Department of Agriculture periodically refines weather and climate statistics into a plant hardiness zone map that predicts the survival of various perennial plants based on the coldest sustained temperatures experienced in various regions of the United States of America.
Other national and international agencies produce similar statistical information interpreting their climates in other geographic regions of the world. The maps shown here have been converted to a uniform standard based on the USDA system showing these plant hardiness zones in 10-degree Fahrenheit increments, with Celsius-temperature equivalents.
The USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone System provides useful information to gardeners about their climate area that is helpful for understanding which biennial and perennial plants, trees, and shrubs will survive and reproduce year after year in their yards.
It provides only one data point out of several important factors for planting annual vegetables, as you’ll find below.
Most vegetables are annual plants that sprout, live and die in a single gardening season or year, but many others are biennials—living for two years and fruiting in the second year—and perennials that live for many years and produce produce annually.
For estimating the planting times for vegetables, however, it is only one tool. For best results, zone information, frost-free dates, soil temperature needs, and field-trials data should be considered for each vegetable species and cultivar.
The vegetable-planting recommendations found on this page considered all these elements, and each Vegetable Plant Guide profile has full details on when and where to plant specific species.
To use the Plant Hardiness Zone Map, find your location and note the color of the zone, then refer to the key to determine its number. Many authoritative resources cite plant hardiness zone numbers when discussing how a given plant will thrive in particular conditions.
Plant zone information also provides information on the approximate first planting date for vegetables plants in each region. Below the maps, a chart referring to the maps’ plant hardiness zones provides data on which vegetables can be planted, approximately when planting should occur, and about how many growing days typically must pass for them to reach harvest maturity or ripeness.
When planning your garden and plantings, refer to both the maps and planner chart, and consult the Vegetables listings in that section to have the best opportunity for a successful vegetable garden [see Vegetables].
Vegetable Garden Planner: From Planting to Harvest
Planting and Harvesting Planner
by USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
How to Use the Planting/Harvest Planner
Find your Plant Hardiness Zone and frost-free date on the maps. Refer to the tab with your zone. Consult its list to find how long each plant takes from sowing to harvest, and calculate when to plant.
- Asparagus: Spring of 3rd garden season
- Beets: 45-60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Rhubarb: 2–4 years
- Artichoke: Spring of 2nd season
- Beets: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Broccoli: 70–100 days
- Brussels Sprouts: 100–110 days
- Cabbage: 50–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Carrots: 50–75 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Cauliflower: 70–120 days
- Endive, Curly: 85–100 days
- Garlic: 90–100 days
- Kale: 55–75 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Kohlrabi: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Head: 65–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Leaf: 40–50 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Onion/Leeks/Shallots: 80–170 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Parsnips: 100–130 days
- Peas, Garden: 55–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Potatoes: 90–140 days
- Radishes: 22–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Spinach: 40–50 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Sunflowers: 70–80 days
- Sweet Potatoes: 110–150 days
- Swiss Chard: 45–55 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Turnips: 30–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beans, Broad: 80–100 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beans, Lima: 65–95 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beans, Snap: 45–85 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beets: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Broccoli: 70–100 days
- Carrots: 50–75 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Chinese Cabbage: 50–85 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Collards: 60–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Corn: 60–100 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Cucumbers: 55–65 days
- Eggplants: 100–140 days
- Gourds: 85–100 days
- Kohlrabi: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Head: 65–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Leaf: 40–50 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Melons, Summer: 70–100 days
- Melons, Winter: 110 days
- Okra: 55–65 days
- Onion/Leeks/Shallots: 80–170 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Parsnips: 100–130 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Peas, Garden: 55–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Peas, Southern: 60–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Peppers: 60–95 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Pumpkins: 90–120 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Radishes: 22–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Rutabagas: 60–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Spinach, New Zealand: 50–75 days
- Squash, Summer: 50–65 days
- Squash, Winter: 60–110 days
- Sunflowers: 70–80 days
- Sweet Potatoes: 110–150 days
- Tomatoes: 50–90 days (Plant successions of determinate cultivars only.)
- Turnips: 30–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beets: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Cabbage: 50–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Kale: 55–75 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Onion/Leeks/Shallots: 80–170 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Artichoke: Spring of 2nd season
- Asparagus: Spring of 3rd garden season
- Beets: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Onion/Leeks/Shallots*:80–170 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Radishes:22–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Rhubarb:2–4 years
- Beets: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Broccoli: 70–100 days
- Brussels Sprouts: 100–110 days
- Cabbage: 50–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Carrots: 50–75 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Cauliflower: 70–120 days
- Celery: 100–120 days
- Chinese Cabbage: 50–85 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Collards: 60–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Cucumbers: 55–65 days
- Eggplants: 100–140 days
- Endive: 85–100 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Gourds: 85–100 days
- Kale: 55–75 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Head: 65–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Leaf: 40–50 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Melons, Summer: 70–100 days
- Melons, Winter: 110 days
- Okra: 55–65 days
- Parsnips: 100–130 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Peas, Garden: 55–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Potatoes: 90–140 days
- Radishes: 22–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Rutabagas: 60–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Spinach: 40–50 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Sweet Potatoes: 110–150 days
- Swiss Chard: 45–55 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Turnips: 30–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beans, Broad: 80–100 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beans, Lima: 65–95 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beans, Snap: 45–85 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beets: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Broccoli: 70–100 days
- Brussels Sprouts:100–110 days
- Cabbage: 50–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Carrots: 50–75 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Cauliflower: 70–120 days
- Chinese Cabbage: 50–85 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Collards: 60–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Corn: 60–100 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Cucumbers: 55–65 days
- Eggplants: 100–140 days
- Endive: 85–100 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Garlic: 90–100 days
- Gourds: 85–100 days
- Kale: 55–75 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Kohlrabi: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Head: 65–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Melons, Summer: 70–100 days
- Melons, Winter: 110 days
- Okra: 55–65 days
- Onion/Leeks/Shallots: 80–170 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Parsnips: 100–130 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Peas, Garden: 55–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Peas, Southern: 60–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Potatoes: 90–140 days
- Pumpkins: 90–120 days
- Radishes: 22–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Rutabagas: 60–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Spinach, New Zealand: 50–75 days
- Squash, Summer: 50–65 days
- Squash, Winter: 60–110 days
- Sunflowers: 70–80 days
- Sweet Potatoes: 110–150 days
- Swiss Chard: 45–55 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Tomatoes: 50–90 days (Plant successions of determinate cultivars only.)
- Turnips: 30–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beans, Broad: 80–100 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beans, Lima: 65–95 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beans, Snap: 45–85 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beets: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Carrots: 50–75 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Corn: 60–100 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Cucumbers: 55–65 days
- Eggplants: 100–140 days
- Gourds: 85–100 days
- Kohlrabi: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Head: 65–90 days
- Melons, Summer: 70–100 days
- Melons, Winter: 110 days
- Okra: 55–65 days
- Parsnips: 100–130 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Peas, Southern: 60–70 days
- Peppers: 60–95 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Potatoes: 90–140 days
- Pumpkins: 90–120 days
- Radishes: 22–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Rutabagas: 60–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Spinach, New Zealand: 50–75 days
- Squash, Summer: 50–65 days
- Squash, Winter: 60–110 days
- Sunflowers: 70–80 days
- Sweet Potatoes: 110–150 days
- Tomatoes: 50–90 days (Plant successions of determinate cultivars only.)
- Turnips: 30–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beets: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Garlic: 90–100 days
- Kale: 55–75 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Kohlrabi: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Onion/Leeks/Shallots: 80–170 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Radishes: 22–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Sweet Potatoes:110–150 days
- Rhubarb: 2–4 years
- Turnips: 30–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Artichoke: Spring of 2nd season
- Asparagus: Spring of 3rd season
- Beets: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Broccoli: 70–100 days
- Brussels Sprouts: 100–110 days
- Cabbage: 50–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Carrots: 50–75 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Cauliflower: 70–120 days
- Collards: 60–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Kale: 55–75 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Kohlrabi: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Head: 65–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Leaf: 40–50 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Onion/Leeks/Shallots: 80–170 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Parsnips: 100–130 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Peas, Garden: 55–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Potatoes: 90–140 days
- Radishes: 22–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Spinach: 40–50 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Swiss Chard: 45–55 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Turnips: 30–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beets: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Broccoli: 70–100 days
- Brussels Sprouts: 100–110 days
- Cabbage: 50–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Carrots: 50–75 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Cauliflower: 70–120 days
- Celery: 100–120 days
- Chinese Cabbage:50–85 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Collards: 60–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Corn: 60–100 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Eggplants: 100–140 days
- Garlic: 90–100 days
- Gourds: 85–100 days
- Kale: 55–75 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Kohlrabi: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Head: 65–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Leaf: 40–50 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Onion/Leeks/Shallots:80–170 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Parsnips: 100–130 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Peas, Garden: 55–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Peppers: 60–95 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Potatoes: 90–140 days
- Radishes: 22–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Spinach: 40–50 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Sunflowers: 70–80 days
- Swiss Chard: 45–55 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Tomatoes: 50–90 days (Plant successions of determinate cultivars only.)
- Turnips: 30–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Asparagus: Spring of 3rd season
- Beans, Broad: 80–100 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beans, Lima: 65–95 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beans, Snap: 45–85 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beets: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Broccoli: 70–100 days
- Brussels Sprouts: 100–110 days
- Cabbage: 50–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Celery: 100–120 days
- Chinese Cabbage:50–85 days
- Collards: 60–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Corn: 60–100 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Cucumbers: 55–65 days
- Eggplants: 100–140 days
- Garlic: 90–100 days
- Gourds: 85–100 days
- Kohlrabi: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Head: 65–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Leaf: 40–50 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Melons, Summer: 70–100 days
- Melons, Winter: 110 days
- Okra: 55–65 days
- Onion/Leeks/Shallots:80–170 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Parsnips: 100–130 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Peas, Garden: 55–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Peas, Southern: 60–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Peppers: 60–95 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Potatoes: 90–140 days
- Pumpkins: 90–120 days
- Radishes: 22–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Spinach, New Zealand: 50–75 days
- Squash, Summer: 50–65 days
- Squash, Winter: 60–110 days
- Sunflowers: 70–80 days
- Sweet Potatoes: 110–150 days
- Swiss Chard: 45–55 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Turnips: 30–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beans, Broad: 80–100 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beans, Lima: 65–95 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beans, Snap: 45–85 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beets: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Collards: 60–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Corn: 60–100 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Cucumbers: 55–65 days
- Gourds: 85–100 days
- Kohlrabi: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Head: 65–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Leaf: 40–50 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Melons, Summer: 70–100 days
- Melons, Winter: 110 days
- Okra: 55–65 days
- Parsnips: 100–130 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Peas, Southern: 60–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Potatoes: 90–140 days
- Pumpkins: 90–120 days
- Spinach, New Zealand: 50–75 days
- Squash, Summer: 50–65 days
- Squash, Winter: 60–110 days
- Sunflowers: 70–80 days
- Sweet Potatoes: 110–150 days
- Turnips: 30–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beans, Broad: 80–100 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beans, Lima: 65–95 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Beets: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Collards: 60–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Corn: 60–100 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Cucumbers: 55–65 days
- Garlic: 90–100 days
- Gourds: 85–100 days
- Kohlrabi: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Leaf: 40–50 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Melons, Summer: 70–100 days
- Melons, Winter: 110 days
- Okra: 55–65 days
- Parsnips: 100–130 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Peas, Southern: 60–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Pumpkins: 90–120 days
- Spinach, New Zealand: 50–75 days
- Squash, Summer: 50–65 days
- Squash, Winter: 60–110 days
- Sunflowers: 70–80 days
- Sweet Potatoes: 110–150 days
- Beets: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Collards: 60–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Garlic: 90–100 days
- Kohlrabi: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Head: 65–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Sweet Potatoes: 110–150 days
- Beets: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Collards: 60–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Kohlrabi: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Head: 65–90 days
- Radishes: 22–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Rutabagas: 60–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Turnips: 30–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Artichoke: Spring of 2nd season
- Beets: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Endive: 85–100 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Kohlrabi: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Head: 65–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Leaf: 40–50 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Peas, Garden: 55–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Radishes: 22–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Rhubarb: 2–4 years
- Spinach: 40–50 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Swiss Chard: 45–55 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Turnips: 30–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Artichoke: Spring of 2nd season
- Beets: 45–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Head: 65–90 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Lettuce, Leaf: 40–50 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Radishes: 22–70 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Rhubarb: 2–4 years
- Spinach: 40–50 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
- Turnips: 30–60 days (Plant successions at recommended intervals for species.)
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Maps
and Regions of the World
How to Find Your Plant Hardiness Zone and Frost Dates
Find the tab for the map of your region of the world, click to choose it, and click again on the image to enlarge it. Find your location, note its color band, and match it to the legend to find your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone.