Stock in Zone 4a & 4b

Matthiola incana

When to plant stock in zone 4b

Zones 4a and 4b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.

Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. Stock needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.

Start indoorsApr 3–Apr 10
Direct sow / transplant outsideMay 15–May 22
Estimated bloomAug 3–Aug 10 (~80 days after transplanting)

Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-2.5 ft.

Stock
Photo: Phil Sellens from East Sussex via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0, cropped.

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 4's season

Zone 4b's frost-free window runs about 128 days, from May 15 to September 20. Stock needs about 80 days from transplant to first harvest.

Good companions

No standout companions recorded yet for Stock.

Where to buy 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 4b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

Growing Stock in USDA zone 4b

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Growing Stock in USDA zone 4b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.

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