Free planting guide · PDF
Zone 3b planting guide
A one-page zone 3b planting guide: average last and first frost dates, what vegetables to plant when in spring and fall, and how to pick perennials for zone 3b.
What is on this planting guide
Average coldest winter night -35 to -30°F (-37 to -34°C). Places in zone 3b include Fairbanks, AK.
Spring: what to plant and when
| Group | Plant outside | Crops |
|---|---|---|
| Hardy crops tolerate a hard frost | April 4 to April 18 | Asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, collards, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, leek, mustard, onion, peas, potato, radish, rhubarb, spinach, turnip |
| Semi-hardy crops tolerate a light frost | April 18 to May 2 | Beet, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chard, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, mustard, parsnip |
| Tender crops damaged by frost | From May 16 | Bean, sweet corn, tomato |
| Very tender crops warm season | From May 30 | Cucumber, eggplant, melons, okra, pepper, pumpkin, squash, sweet potato |
Fall garden
Count back from the first fall frost (September 25): days to harvest, plus about 14 days because growth slows in fall, plus 14 more for frost-tender crops. A 50-day crop goes in by July 23 , a 70-day crop by July 3 .
| Semi-hardy (take light frost) | Beets, mustard, radishes, spinach, Swiss chard, green onions |
| Hardy (take several frosts) | Cabbage, carrots, turnips, rutabagas, kale |
Frost dates: medians across 217 zone 3b ZIP codes, from the nearest NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals station (32°F, 50% chance). Spring timing: Purdue Extension HO-186-W. Fall method and crops: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension NebGuide G1343. Your own dates by ZIP code: plantsdirectusa.com.
