Free planting guide · PDF
Zone 5a planting guide
A one-page zone 5a planting guide: average last and first frost dates, what vegetables to plant when in spring and fall, and how to pick perennials for zone 5a.
What is on this planting guide
Average coldest winter night -20 to -15°F (-29 to -26°C). Places in zone 5a include Minneapolis, MN, Saint Paul, MN, Anchorage, AK, Billings, MT.
Spring: what to plant and when
| Group | Plant outside | Crops |
|---|---|---|
| Hardy crops tolerate a hard frost | March 22 to April 5 | 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 5 to April 19 | Beet, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chard, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, mustard, parsnip |
| Tender crops damaged by frost | From May 3 | Bean, sweet corn, tomato |
| Very tender crops warm season | From May 17 | Cucumber, eggplant, melons, okra, pepper, pumpkin, squash, sweet potato |
Fall garden
Count back from the first fall frost (October 5): 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 August 2 , a 70-day crop by July 13 .
| 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 2,420 zone 5a 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.
