Free planting guide · PDF
Zone 7a planting guide
A one-page zone 7a planting guide: average last and first frost dates, what vegetables to plant when in spring and fall, and how to pick perennials for zone 7a.
What is on this planting guide
Average coldest winter night 0 to 5°F (-18 to -15°C). Places in zone 7a include Saint Louis, MO, Louisville, KY, Charleston, WV, Cleveland, OH.
Spring: what to plant and when
| Group | Plant outside | Crops |
|---|---|---|
| Hardy crops tolerate a hard frost | March 5 to March 19 | 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 | March 19 to April 2 | Beet, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chard, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, mustard, parsnip |
| Tender crops damaged by frost | From April 16 | Bean, sweet corn, tomato |
| Very tender crops warm season | From April 30 | Cucumber, eggplant, melons, okra, pepper, pumpkin, squash, sweet potato |
Fall garden
Count back from the first fall frost (October 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 August 22 , a 70-day crop by August 2 .
| 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 4,876 zone 7a 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.
