Free planting guide · PDF
Zone 5b planting guide
A one-page zone 5b planting guide: average last and first frost dates, what vegetables to plant when in spring and fall, and how to pick perennials for zone 5b.
What is on this planting guide
Average coldest winter night -15 to -10°F (-26 to -23°C). Places in zone 5b include Des Moines, IA, Madison, WI, Rockford, IL, Green Bay, WI.
Spring: what to plant and when
| Group | Plant outside | Crops |
|---|---|---|
| Hardy crops tolerate a hard frost | March 20 to April 3 | 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 3 to April 17 | Beet, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chard, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, mustard, parsnip |
| Tender crops damaged by frost | From May 1 | Bean, sweet corn, tomato |
| Very tender crops warm season | From May 15 | Cucumber, eggplant, melons, okra, pepper, pumpkin, squash, sweet potato |
Fall garden
Count back from the first fall frost (October 10): 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 7 , a 70-day crop by July 18 .
| 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 2,878 zone 5b 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.
