A month-by-month planting calendar keeps your backyard farm productive all year. Plant at the right time and you avoid frost damage, wasted seeds, and empty harvest weeks. This guide walks through what to plant each month for temperate climates (zones 5–7). Adjust dates for your last frost and first frost.

Before You Start: Know Your Dates

• Last frost date: average date of the last spring frost (check your zone)
• First frost date: average date of the first fall frost
• Growing season: days between last and first frost
• Use the planting calculator to personalize dates for your location

Zones 5–7 typically have last frost in mid-April to early May and first frost in mid-October. Northern zones shift everything later; southern zones shift earlier. Your local extension office publishes exact dates.

March: Start Indoors and Cold-Hardy Prep

March is for seeds and soil prep. Start transplants indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost.

• Start indoors: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, broccoli, cabbage, kale
• Direct sow (as soon as soil is workable): peas, spinach, arugula, radishes, lettuce
• Prep beds: add compost, till if needed, lay out raised beds
• Order seeds and plan your crop rotation

Cold frames extend the season for greens. If you have one, transplant spinach and lettuce seedlings in late March for an early harvest.

April: Cool-Season Crops Go In

April brings the first big planting window. Soil is warming; frost risk remains but cold-tolerant crops thrive.

• Direct sow: carrots, beets, Swiss chard, lettuce, arugula, radishes, turnips, kale
• Plant potatoes and onion sets
• Transplant broccoli, cabbage, kale if started indoors
• Hold off on tomatoes, peppers, basil until after last frost

Stagger lettuce and greens every 2 weeks for continuous harvests. See succession planting strategies for details. Use square foot spacing to maximize yield.

May: Warm-Season Transplant Month

After last frost, move heat-loving crops outdoors. This is the busiest planting month.

• Transplant: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, basil, cucumbers, squash
• Direct sow: beans, corn, cucumbers, squash, melons
• Continue succession planting: lettuce, radishes, spinach
• Add herbs: cilantro, dill, parsley from seed or transplant

Protect tender plants if a late frost is forecast. Row covers or cloches save transplants. Check your companion planting guide before placing tomatoes and basil.

Month	Plant	Harvest Window
March	Peas, spinach, arugula	May–June
April	Lettuce, carrots, beets, kale	June–July
May	Tomatoes, peppers, beans, cucumbers	July–Sept
June	Beans, squash, succession greens	Aug–Oct
July	Fall broccoli, cabbage, carrots	Sept–Nov
August	Spinach, lettuce, radishes	Sept–Oct

June: Fill Gaps and Extend Summer Harvest

June is for filling empty spots and planting a second round of warm-season crops.

• Direct sow: bush beans, summer squash, cucumbers (second planting)
• Succession plant: lettuce, arugula, radishes, beets
• Start fall brassicas indoors: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage
• Monitor pests; thin seedlings as needed

July: Plant for Fall

July planting targets fall harvest. Count back from first frost to hit maturity.

• Transplant fall broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts
• Direct sow: carrots (for fall storage), beets, turnips
• Plant bush beans (they mature in 50–60 days)
• Order garlic for fall planting

Keep tomatoes and peppers well-watered. Mulch to conserve moisture. Plan your year-round schedule to include winter crops if you have protection.

August: Cool-Season Fall Crops

August cools in many regions. Shift to cool-season crops that mature before frost.

• Direct sow: spinach, lettuce, arugula, radishes, turnips, kale
• Transplant fall greens if started indoors
• Harvest summer crops; clear space for fall plantings
• Prepare beds for garlic (plant in October)

September and October: Fall Harvest and Overwinter Prep

September and October are harvest months. Plant garlic, overwintering onions, and cold-frame greens.

• September: plant garlic, overwintering spinach, lettuce in cold frames
• October: final garlic planting, cover crops on empty beds
• Harvest: pumpkins, winter squash, last tomatoes, fall greens
• Pull spent plants; add compost for spring

November Through February: Winter Options

In mild zones, cold frames and hoop houses keep greens growing. In cold zones, focus on planning and microgreens indoors.

• Cold frames: spinach, lettuce, kale, arugula
• Indoor microgreens: year-round revenue in small spaces
• Plan next year: order seeds, review best crops, update rotation

Quick Reference: Frost Tolerance

Frost Hardy	Light Frost OK	No Frost
Peas, spinach, kale, lettuce, arugula, radishes	Broccoli, cabbage, carrots, beets, Swiss chard	Tomatoes, peppers, basil, beans, cucumbers, squash

Plant frost-hardy crops 4–6 weeks before last frost. Plant frost-tender crops only after last frost. Use our calculators to plan costs and harvest timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start seeds indoors?

Start seeds 6–8 weeks before your last frost date for tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. Broccoli and cabbage need 4–6 weeks. Check seed packets for exact timing.

What can I plant in August for fall harvest?

Spinach, lettuce, arugula, radishes, turnips, kale, and beets can be planted in August for fall harvest. Count back from your first frost date to ensure maturity.

How do I extend my growing season?

Use cold frames, row covers, and hoop houses to protect plants from frost. Cold-hardy greens can grow into early winter with protection. Microgreens grow indoors year-round.

What is the best month to plant a vegetable garden?

It depends on your zone. In zones 5–7, April and May are the main planting months. Cool-season crops go in April; warm-season crops go in May after last frost.