Growing Season
213 days
Last Frost
Apr 1
First Frost
Oct 31
2+ weeks after last frost
Near last frost date
Before last frost
Well before last frost
| Plant | Type | Start Indoors | Plant Outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | warm | Mar 4 | Apr 15 |
| Peppers | warm | Feb 18 | Apr 15 |
| Lettuce | cool | Feb 4 | Mar 4 |
| Peas | cool | Direct sow | Mar 4 |
| Cucumbers | warm | Mar 25 | Apr 15 |
| Squash | warm | Mar 25 | Apr 15 |
| Beans | warm | Direct sow | Apr 8 |
| Carrots | cool | Direct sow | Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | cool | Feb 4 | Mar 18 |
| Basil | warm | Mar 4 | Apr 15 |
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Result
Zone 6 last frost is April 1. Tomatoes go outdoors 2 weeks after last frost (April 15) and should be started indoors 6 weeks before that (February 18).
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Result
Zone 5 last frost is April 15. Lettuce is cold-tolerant and can be planted 4 weeks before last frost (March 18). Start indoors 4 weeks before that.
Visit the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov and enter your zip code. Zones range from 1 (coldest) to 13 (warmest). Most of the continental US falls between zones 3-10. Your zone determines your average frost dates and which plants can survive winter.
The last frost date is the average date of the last spring frost in your area, based on historical weather data. It marks when it is generally safe to transplant frost-sensitive plants outdoors. Note that this is an average — actual frost can occur 1-2 weeks earlier or later.
| USDA Zone | Avg Last Spring Frost | Avg First Fall Frost |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 4 | May 1–15 | Sep 15–30 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 15–30 | Oct 1–15 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 1–15 | Oct 15–30 |
| Zone 7 | Mar 15–Apr 1 | Nov 1–15 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 1–15 | Nov 15–30 |
Most warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) should be started indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Cool-season crops (lettuce, broccoli) can be started 4-6 weeks before. Check each plant's specific requirements for optimal timing.
Cool-season crops (lettuce, peas, carrots, broccoli) can tolerate light frost and grow best in temperatures of 40-70°F. They can be planted before the last frost. Warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) are killed by frost and need soil temperatures above 60°F.
| Trait | Cool-Season Crops | Warm-Season Crops |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | Lettuce, peas, broccoli, kale | Tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans |
| Frost tolerance | Survives light frost (28°F) | Killed by any frost (32°F) |
| Ideal soil temp | 40–65°F | 60–85°F |
| Planting window | 2–4 weeks before last frost | 1–2 weeks after last frost |
The growing season is the number of days between the last spring frost and the first fall frost. It varies dramatically by location: Zone 3 has about 120 days, Zone 6 has about 180 days, and Zone 9 has about 270+ days. This determines which crops you can grow to maturity.
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Last Updated: Mar 26, 2026
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