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When should I start planting my vegetable garden?

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Find out when to plant vegetables with the Almanac’s planting guide!

Enter your zip code or postal code above!

We’ll tell you the earliest dates to plant vegetables in the spring  and the  last dates that you can plant for a fall harvest , based on average frost dates for your location.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s gardening gurus have done the research for you! Our planting tool is personalized down to your zip code, pulling from a database of thousands of weather station reports, and using the “days until harvest” for the most popular vegetables grown in the home garden. Next, depending on what’s ideal for each vegetable, we decide when to sow inside, transplant, and seed outdoors. (Note: Our chart takes into consideration the average “days till harvest” for each vegetable’s most prevalent types. But, the days to maturity for the type you are growing will be specified on the seed packaging. You may always determine your own planting dates for spring by using our Frost Dates Calculator.)

It’s a bit more complex for a fall harvest, since you’ll need to pick a lot of veggies before the winter frosts arrive. Our autumn planting dates take into account whether crops are more hardy vs sensitive, and we’ve also made modifications for harvesting. (If the vegetable or fruit you want to plant doesn’t have enough days to harvest in the autumn, you may be able to discover a special variety with a shorter growth season!)

Frost dates are calculated using 30-year rolling averages, therefore they are simply a reference to what is “normal.” Every year may be unique. Also, every garden can have what we call “microclimates” (e.g., an area in the dip of a valley or on the slope of a mountain) which differ. You should use your best judgment and this guidance as a starting point. You’ll acquire experience and discover what works best in your garden over time!

2023 Spring and Fall Planting Guides

Not only are our vegetable planting charts customised to your zip code, but they are also printable, so you can carry them with you! In case you missed it, glance at the top of this page and type in your “City, State,” or Zip Code. (Enter your “City, Province,” or Postal Code if you reside in Canada.)

Lettuce seedlings. Photo by Surachet Khamsuk/Shutterstock.

Browse Places by State or Province

Related Questions

  • What is the best month to start a vegetable garden?

    The optimal time to start your vegetable garden is six to eight weeks before the last frost, which is usually in the spring. Plant seeds inside and put seedlings outdoors two weeks after the last frost. Unless you reside in a warmer climate, the ideal time to sow seeds outside is usually late March to May.

  • Which month is best for planting?

    Fall is one of the best times of year to sow seeds since it is neither too hot nor too cold, and the rain is consistent.

  • What is the earliest you can plant vegetables?

    Start cabbages, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, leeks, endive, escarole, fennel, lettuce, and artichokes indoors from late February to early March. In mid- to late March, direct sow peas, spinach, fava beans, and arugula outdoors.

  • What are the best vegetables to grow for beginners?

    10 Easiest Vegetables to Grow Yourself

    1. Peas. …
    2. Radishes. …
    3. Carrots. …
    4. Cucumbers. …
    5. Kale. …
    6. Swiss Chard. …
    7. Beets. …
    8. Summer Squash (Zucchini) Summer squash and zucchini like well-drained soil and need plenty growing space (plant them 3 to 6 feet apart in warm soil and lots of sun.)

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