Zone tool and planting calendar
Two quick helpers: see which of our plants survive winter in your USDA zone, and turn your last spring frost date into sowing and planting dates.
What grows in my zone?
Do not know it? Enter your ZIP code on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, or read our zone guide.
Planting calendar from your last frost date
Your county extension office can tell you this date. The table below shows the weeks; pick a date to see real calendar dates.
Dates for a last frost on :
| Plant | Start indoors | Sow or plant outside |
|---|---|---|
| Onion | 14 wk before to 10 wk before | 4 wk before to 2 wk before |
| Tomato | 8 wk before to 6 wk before | 2 wk after to 3 wk after |
| Pepper | 8 wk before to 6 wk before | 2 wk after to 3 wk after |
| Dahlia | 8 wk before | 1 wk after to 3 wk after |
| Petunia | 8 wk before | frost date to 2 wk after |
| Lettuce | 6 wk before to 4 wk before | 4 wk before to 2 wk before |
| Rose | Not needed | 4 wk before to 4 wk after |
| Marigold | 4 wk before | 2 wk before to 1 wk after |
| Zinnia | 4 wk before | 2 wk before to 1 wk after |
| Cucumber | 4 wk before to 2 wk before | frost date to 2 wk after |
| Strawberry | Not needed | 4 wk before to 2 wk before |
| Blueberry | Not needed | 4 wk before to frost date |
| Apple Tree | Not needed | 4 wk before to frost date |
| Zucchini | 4 wk before to 2 wk before | frost date to 2 wk after |
| Garden Pea | Not needed | 4 wk before to 2 wk before |
| Hosta | Not needed | 2 wk before to 6 wk after |
| Lilac | Not needed | 2 wk before to 4 wk after |
| Boxwood | Not needed | 2 wk before to 4 wk after |
| Japanese Maple | Not needed | 2 wk before to 4 wk after |
| Carrot | Not needed | 2 wk before to frost date |
| Potato | Not needed | 2 wk before to frost date |
| Lavender | Not needed | frost date to 4 wk after |
| Sunflower | Not needed | frost date to 3 wk after |
| Hydrangea | Not needed | frost date to 6 wk after |
| Mint | Not needed | frost date to 4 wk after |
| Rosemary | Not needed | frost date to 4 wk after |
| Thyme | Not needed | frost date to 4 wk after |
| Oregano | Not needed | frost date to 4 wk after |
| Geranium | Not needed | frost date to 2 wk after |
| Fig Tree | Not needed | frost date to 4 wk after |
| Green Bean | Not needed | frost date to 2 wk after |
| Basil | Not needed | 1 wk after to 3 wk after |
| Begonia | Not needed | 1 wk after to 3 wk after |
| Lemon Tree | Not needed | 1 wk after to 4 wk after |
| Hibiscus | Not needed | 2 wk after to 4 wk after |
About these tools
What is my last frost date?
It is the average date of the last freezing night in spring where you live. Your county extension office can give you the date for your area. Frost can still come after the average date, so watch the forecast.
How does the zone tool decide what grows in my zone?
It uses the USDA hardiness zone range for each plant from NC State Extension's Plant Toolbox. A plant is shown when your zone sits inside that range.
Where do the planting weeks come from?
From university extension tables: Colorado State University's seed and vegetable planting guides, the University of Maryland's seed starting guide and University of Illinois Extension. Each plant page lists its sources.
Sources
- USDA ARS: 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Colorado State University Extension: Growing Annual Plants from Seed
- Colorado State University Extension: Vegetable Planting Guide
- University of Maryland Extension: Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors
- University of Illinois Extension: Starting Seeds Indoors