Planting calendar by frost date
When to start seeds indoors, when to plant or sow outdoors, and roughly how long until harvest, for common vegetables. Everything is counted from your average last spring frost date. Enter yours to see actual dates.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant or sow outdoors | Days to harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | – | 5 wk before | 55 to 70 |
| Lettuce and salad greens | 6 wk before | 3 wk before | 30 to 60 |
| Kale and chard | 6 wk before | 3 wk before | 50 to 65 |
| Radishes | – | 3 wk before | 25 to 30 |
| Carrots and beets | – | 2 wk before | 55 to 75 |
| Tomatoes | 7 wk before | 2 wk after | 60 to 85 from transplant |
| Peppers | 9 wk before | 2 wk after | 60 to 90 from transplant |
| Basil | 6 wk before | 2 wk after | 30 to 60 |
| Bush beans | – | 1 wk after | 50 to 60 |
| Zucchini and summer squash | – | 1 wk after | 45 to 60 |
| Cucumbers | – | 2 wk after | 50 to 70 |
Rules of thumb only. Warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, basil, beans and squash need warm soil and no frost; watch the forecast. In hot climates, plant cool-season crops in fall and winter instead. Your local Cooperative Extension office has dates for your area.
Don't know your frost date?
Your local Cooperative Extension office publishes average frost dates. Remember they're averages: there's still a chance of frost after the date, so be ready to cover tender plants.