Stock in Zone 3a & 3b
Matthiola incana
Yes, stock grows in zones 3a and 3b. Start seeds indoors Apr 18–Apr 25 and plant out May 30–Jun 6.
When to plant stock in zone 3b
Zones 3a and 3b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Apr 18–Apr 25 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 30–Jun 6 |
| Estimated bloom | Aug 18–Aug 25 (~80 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-2.5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 3b
These go outside within two weeks of stock in zone 3b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumJun 6–Jun 13
- MarigoldJun 6–Jun 13
- African DaisyMay 30–Jun 6
- Amaranthus (Love-Lies-Bleeding)May 30–Jun 6
- Ammi (False Queen Anne's Lace)May 30–Jun 6
- Ammobium (Winged Everlasting)May 30–Jun 6
Stock produces dense, fragrant flower spikes in a wide color range, prized as a cut flower for both the look and the scent. It's a member of the brassica family, related to cabbage and broccoli, which shows up in the pests it has to deal with more than in its appearance.
How stock fits zone 3's season
Zone 3b's frost-free window runs about 98 days, from May 30 to September 5. Stock needs about 80 days from transplant to first bloom.
Stock planting windows in every zone
Zone 3b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Apr 8–Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | Aug 8–Aug 15 |
| 3a & 3b (your zone) | Apr 18–Apr 25 | May 30–Jun 6 | Aug 18–Aug 25 |
| 4a & 4b | Apr 3–Apr 10 | May 15–May 22 | Aug 3–Aug 10 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 29–Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | Jul 29–Aug 5 |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 14–Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | Jul 14–Jul 21 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 27–Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | Jun 29–Jul 6 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 11–Feb 18 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | Jun 13–Jun 20 |
| 9a & 9b | Jan 4–Jan 11 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | May 6–May 13 |
| 10a & 10b | Dec 19–Dec 26 | Jan 30–Feb 6 | Apr 20–Apr 27 |
| 11a & 11b | Nov 20–Nov 27 | Jan 1–Jan 8 | Mar 22–Mar 29 |
Bloom dates are about 80 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for stock.
Where to buy stock seeds
True Leaf Market · Burpee (each supplier's stock seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing stock" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 3b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Stock in USDA zone 3b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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