Zone 5a & 5b Planting Calendar

Every listed crop, timed for zone 5b. Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates, so this calendar covers both. Not sure this is your zone? Change it using the zone picker at the top of the page.

What to plant each month in zone 5: February · March · April · May · July · August · September · October · November

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This zone has a single frost date, and the windows below are based on it. That date is a long-term average, not a forecast: it shifts from year to year, and a microclimate within your zone (a valley, a coastline, an urban heat island) can run meaningfully earlier or later than the regional average. Use these windows as a starting point and watch your local forecast as the date approaches.

I = start indoors · S = direct sow / transplant outside · T = transplant (buy as a start). Click any column heading to sort.

Plant	Spacing	Height	Est. harvest	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov
7 Pot Douglah Pepper (Chocolate 7 Pot)	1 per sq ft	2.5-3 ft	~95 days	I			S
7 Pot Primo Pepper	1 per sq ft	2.5-3.5 ft	~110 days	I			S
Achira⚠ Not recommended for zone 5b	~4 sq ft each	4-8 ft	~180 days		I		S
African Daisy	2 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~60 days				S
Ageratum (Flossflower)	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~75 days		I		S
Agrostemma (Corn Cockle)	2 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~75 days			I/S
Aji Amarillo Pepper	1 per sq ft	2.5-3.5 ft	~90 days		I		S
Amaranthus (Love-Lies-Bleeding)	1 per sq ft	3-5 ft	~90 days			I	S
Amaryllis⚠ Not recommended for zone 5b⚠ Toxic	1 per sq ft	1-3 ft	First real harvest the season after planting				S
American Ginseng	4 per sq ft	0.5-1.5 ft	~1200 days after direct-sowing				S
Ammi (False Queen Anne's Lace)	2 per sq ft	3-4 ft	~100 days			I	S
Ammobium (Winged Everlasting)	4 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	~80 days		I		S
Anaheim Pepper (New Mexico, Hatch)	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	~78 days		I		S
Angelica	~2 sq ft each	6-8 ft	~365 days after direct-sowing			S
Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)	2 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~98 days		I		S
Anise	4 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	~130 days				S
Anise Hyssop	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~78 days		I		S
Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)	1 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~90 days		I		S
Apple	~16 sq ft each	15-20 ft	First real harvest in year 4			T
Apricot	~16 sq ft each	13-16 ft	First real harvest in year 4			T
Aronia (Black Chokeberry)	~16 sq ft each	4-8 ft	First real harvest in year 3			T
Artichoke	~5 sq ft each	3-4 ft	~95 days		I	S
Arugula	9 per sq ft	0.5-1.5 ft	~40 days			S
Asparagus	~4 sq ft each	4-5 ft	First real harvest in year 3			S
Astilbe	~4 sq ft each	1.5-4.5 ft	First real harvest the season after planting			S
Bachelor's Button (Cornflower)	3 per sq ft	1-3 ft	~75 days		I	S
Basil	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~60 days		I		S
Basket-of-Gold	1 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	First real harvest the season after planting			S
Bee Balm	1 per sq ft	2-4 ft	~100 days				T
Beet (Spring window, Fall window)	9 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~55 days			S			S
Belgian Endive (Witloof)	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~120 days				S
Bell Pepper	1 per sq ft	1.5-3 ft	~75 days		I		S
Bells of Ireland	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~90 days		I		S
Birdhouse Gourd	~10 sq ft each	8-15 ft	~95 days				S
Black-Eyed Susan	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~70 days		I	S
Black-Eyed Susan Vine	1 per sq ft	3-8 ft	~100 days		I		S
Blackberry	~9 sq ft each	5-8 ft	First real harvest the season after planting			T
Bleeding Heart	~4 sq ft each	2-3 ft	First real harvest the season after planting			S
Blueberry	~16 sq ft each	3-6 ft	First real harvest in year 3			T
Bok Choy	1 per sq ft	1 ft	~50 days			I	S
Borage	1 per sq ft	1.5-3 ft	~55 days				S
Broccoli (Spring window, Fall window)	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	~65 days		I	S		I	S
Broccoli Rabe (Raab)	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~45 days			S
Broccolini	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	~55 days			I	S
Brussels Sprouts	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~95 days		I	S
Bupleurum (Thoroughwax)	2 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~90 days		I	S
Burdock	4 per sq ft	2-4 ft	~120 days				S
Bush Beans (Spring window, Fall window)	9 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~55 days				S		S
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)	1 per sq ft	1.5-3 ft	~365 days after transplanting		I		S
Cabbage (Spring window, Fall window)	1 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~70 days		I	S		I	S
Calendula	1 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~50 days		I	S
California Bluebell	2 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~70 days				S
California Poppy	2 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~80 days			S
Calla Lily⚠ Not recommended for zone 5b⚠ Toxic	1 per sq ft	2-3.5 ft	First real harvest the season after planting				S
Campanula (Bellflower)	2 per sq ft	2.5-3.5 ft	~120 days		I		S
Candytuft	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~70 days			S
Cantaloupe	~4 sq ft each	0.5-1 ft	~80 days			I	S
Caraway	4 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~365 days after direct-sowing			S
Cardoon⚠ Not recommended for zone 5b	~4 sq ft each	3-4 ft	~120 days		I		S
Carnation	4 per sq ft	2-2.5 ft	~135 days		I		S
Carolina Reaper Pepper	~4 sq ft each	4-5 ft	~115 days	I			S
Carrot (Spring window, Fall window)	16 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~70 days			S			S
Carthamus (Safflower)	4 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	~90 days			I	S
Castor Bean⚠ Toxic	~10 sq ft each	6-10 ft	~100 days				S
Catmint	1 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~80 days		I		S
Catnip	1 per sq ft	1.5-3 ft	~80 days		I		S
Cauliflower (Spring window, Fall window)	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	~70 days		I	S		I	S
Cayenne Pepper	1 per sq ft	1.5-2.5 ft	~70 days		I		S
Celeriac (Celery Root)	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~100 days		I	S
Celery	4 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	~120 days		I	S
Celosia	2 per sq ft	1-2.5 ft	~80 days		I		S
Celtuce (Stem Lettuce)	2 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~80 days			I/S
Cerinthe (Honeywort)	2 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~75 days		I		S
Chamomile (German)	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~60 days		I		S
Chervil	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~60 days		I	S
Chile de Árbol Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~85 days		I		S
China Aster	4 per sq ft	1.5-2.5 ft	~90 days		I		S
Chives	9 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~60 days		I	S
Chrysanthemum (Garden Mum)	1 per sq ft	1-3 ft	First real harvest the season after planting		I		S
Cilantro	9 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~50 days				S
Citronella Plant (Mosquito Plant)	~4 sq ft each	2-3 ft	~60 days				T
Clarkia (Farewell-to-Spring)	4 per sq ft	1-3 ft	~75 days			I/S
Claytonia (Miner's Lettuce)	9 per sq ft	3-6 in	~40 days				S
Cleome (Spider Flower)	1 per sq ft	1.5-6 ft	~75 days		I		S
Coleus	1 per sq ft	0.5-3 ft	~75 days		I		S
Collard Greens (Spring window, Fall window)	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~70 days		I	S			S
Columbine	1 per sq ft	1.5-2.5 ft	~365 days after transplanting		I		S
Coreopsis (Tickseed)	1 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~80 days		I		S
Corn Poppy	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~90 days			S
Cosmos	1 per sq ft	2-6 ft	~70 days			I	S
Cranberry Hibiscus⚠ Not recommended for zone 5b	~4 sq ft each	3.5-6 ft	~100 days		I		S
Craspedia (Drumstick Flower)	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~115 days		I		S
Crocus (Fall window)	12 per sq ft	3-6 in	~150 days								S	S	S
Cubanelle Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~70 days		I		S
Cucamelon	1 per sq ft	8-13.5 ft	~70 days			I	S
Cucumber	2 per sq ft	5-6 ft	~55 days			I	S
Cumin	9 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~120 days				S
Currant	~16 sq ft each	3-5 ft	First real harvest the season after planting			T
Cutting Celery (Leaf Celery)	4 per sq ft	1.5 ft	~65 days		I		S
Cynoglossum (Chinese Forget-Me-Not)	4 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	~75 days			I/S
Daffodil (Narcissus) (Fall window)	5 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~150 days								S	S	S
Dahlia	1 per sq ft	1-5 ft	~90 days				S
Daikon Radish	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~60 days				S
Dandelion (Cultivated)	4 per sq ft	0.5-1.5 ft	~60 days				S
Datil Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~95 days		I		S
Delphinium	1 per sq ft	3-6 ft	~150 days				T
Desert Marigold⚠ Not recommended for zone 5b	1 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~75 days				S
Didiscus (Blue Lace Flower)	2 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~90 days				S
Dill	4 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~55 days				S
Dorset Naga Pepper	1 per sq ft	3-4 ft	~95 days	I			S
Dusty Miller	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~90 days		I		S
Dutch Iris (Fall window)	4 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	~210 days								S	S	S
Echinops (Globe Thistle)	~2 sq ft each	2.5-4 ft	~365 days after transplanting		I		S
Edamame (Soybean)	4 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~85 days				S
Eggplant	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~75 days		I		S
Elderberry	~16 sq ft each	8-10 ft	First real harvest in year 3			T
Epazote⚠ Toxic	~2 sq ft each	2-5 ft	~60 days				S
Eryngium (Sea Holly)	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~365 days after transplanting	I			S
Escarole (Endive)	2 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~85 days			I/S
Eucalyptus	1 per sq ft	2-4 ft	~100 days		I		S
Euphorbia (Snow-on-the-Mountain)	4 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~80 days			I	S
Fava Bean (Broad Bean)	4 per sq ft	2-4 ft	~77 days			S
Fennel (Florence/bulbing)	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~90 days			I	S
Feverfew	2 per sq ft	2.5-3 ft	~80 days		I		S
Fig⚠ Not recommended for zone 5b	~16 sq ft each	8-15 ft	First real harvest the season after planting				T
Flower Sprouts	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~100 days		I	S
Forget-Me-Not	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~70 days			S
Four O'Clock	~2 sq ft each	2-3 ft	~70 days				S
Foxglove⚠ Toxic	1 per sq ft	2-5 ft	~365 days after transplanting	I			S
Fresno Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~75 days		I		S
Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli)	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~45 days			S
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)	1 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~80 days		I		S
Garlic (Fall window)	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~240 days									S
Garlic Chives (Chinese Leeks)	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~80 days		I		S
Gazania	2 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~75 days		I		S
Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)	1 per sq ft	3-4 ft	~115 days	I			S
Gladiolus	2 per sq ft	2-4 ft	~90 days			S
Goji Berry	~16 sq ft each	3-6 ft	First real harvest in year 3			T
Goldenseal	4 per sq ft	1 ft	~1200 days after direct-sowing				S
Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)	1 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~90 days		I		S
Gooseberry	~16 sq ft each	3-4 ft	First real harvest the season after planting			T
Grape	~16 sq ft each	6-10 ft	First real harvest in year 3			T
Ground Cherry (Husk Cherry)	~2 sq ft each	2-3 ft	~77 days		I		S
Guajillo Pepper (Mirasol)	1 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~75 days		I		S
Gypsophila (Baby's Breath)	2 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	~75 days		I		S
Habanero Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~95 days		I		S
Helipterum (Paper Daisy)	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~80 days		I		S
Heuchera (Coral Bells)	1 per sq ft	1-3 ft	First real harvest the season after planting			S
Hollyhock	~5 sq ft each	5-9 ft	~180 days			S
Honesty (Lunaria)⚠ Spreads aggressively	~2 sq ft each	2-3 ft	~120 days				S
Honeyberry (Haskap)	~16 sq ft each	3-6 ft	First real harvest in year 3			T
Horehound	1 per sq ft	1-2 ft	First real harvest the season after planting			S
Horseradish	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~180 days				S
Hosta	~4 sq ft each	0.5-2.5 ft	First real harvest the season after planting			S
Hungarian Wax Pepper	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	~70 days		I		S
Hyacinth (Fall window)	5 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~150 days								S	S	S
Hyacinth Bean Vine	1 per sq ft	6-12 ft	~90 days				S
Hyssop	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	~85 days		I		S
Impatiens	2 per sq ft	0.5-2 ft	~75 days		I		S
Italian Frying Pepper (Corno di Toro, Marconi)	1 per sq ft	2.5-3 ft	~70 days		I		S
Jalapeño Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~72 days		I		S
Jicama⚠ Not recommended for zone 5b⚠ Toxic	1 per sq ft	8-15 ft	~150 days		I		S
Johnny Jump Up	4 per sq ft	3-10 in	~65 days		I	S
Kale (Spring window, Fall window)	1 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~60 days		I	S			S
Kalettes	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~100 days		I	S
Kohlrabi (Spring window, Fall window)	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~55 days			I/S			S
Komatsuna	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~40 days			S
Komodo Dragon Pepper	1 per sq ft	2.5-3 ft	~105 days	I			S
Lantana	~7 sq ft each	1-2 ft	~90 days				T
Larkspur	1 per sq ft	3-4 ft	~95 days			S
Lavatera (Annual Mallow)	~4 sq ft each	2-4 ft	~90 days				S
Lavender	1 per sq ft	1-2.5 ft	~100 days				T
Leek	9 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~110 days		I	S
Lemon Balm	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	~65 days			I	S
Lemon Drop Pepper	1 per sq ft	1.5-2.5 ft	~100 days		I		S
Lemongrass⚠ Not recommended for zone 5b	1 per sq ft	1.5-4 ft	~100 days				T
Lettuce (Spring window, Fall window)	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~45 days			I/S				S
Liatris (Blazing Star)	1 per sq ft	3-6 ft	First real harvest the season after planting			S
Licorice Marigold	2 per sq ft	6-10 in	~60 days				S
Lima Bean	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~75 days				S
Lingonberry	1 per sq ft	0.5-1.5 ft	First real harvest in year 3			T
Lisianthus	2 per sq ft	1-3 ft	~150 days	I			S
Lobelia	4 per sq ft	4-8 in	~80 days		I		S
Lovage	1 per sq ft	4-6.5 ft	~90 days		I		S
Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella)	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~75 days			S
Luffa Gourd	~4 sq ft each	8-15 ft	~125 days			I	S
Lupine	~2 sq ft each	2-4 ft	~80 days			S
Mâche (Corn Salad)	9 per sq ft	2-4 in	~50 days			S
Magenta Spreen	2 per sq ft	4-6 ft	~45 days			S
Maiden Pinks	1 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	First real harvest the season after planting			S
Malabar Spinach	2 per sq ft	6-10 ft	~70 days		I		S
Mallow (High Mallow)	~4 sq ft each	2-3 ft	~110 days				S
Marigold	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~50 days		I		S
Marjoram (Sweet)	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~65 days		I		S
Mashua⚠ Not recommended for zone 5b	~2 sq ft each	2-8 ft	~210 days				S
Mauka⚠ Not recommended for zone 5b	~10 sq ft each	2-4 ft	~150 days		I		S
Mexican Mint Marigold⚠ Not recommended for zone 5b	2 per sq ft	1.5 ft	~75 days		I		S
Milk Thistle⚠ Spreads aggressively · Restricted in some states	~4 sq ft each	3-5 ft	~120 days			S
Mini Sweet Pepper (Snacking)	1 per sq ft	2-4 ft	~70 days		I		S
Mint (Spearmint)	1 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~70 days				T
Mizuna	9 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~40 days			S
Molokhia (Egyptian Spinach)	4 per sq ft	3-5 ft	~50 days				S
Moonflower	2 per sq ft	10-20 ft	~90 days			I	S
Morning Glory	~4 sq ft each	8-10 ft	~75 days				S
Mountain Mint	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~90 days		I		S
Mugwort⚠ Spreads aggressively	~16 sq ft each	2-4 ft	First real harvest the season after planting				S
Mulberry	~16 sq ft each	10-20 ft	First real harvest in year 4				T
Mustard Greens	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~40 days			S
Naga Viper Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~100 days	I			S
Nanking Cherry	~16 sq ft each	8-12 ft	First real harvest in year 4			T
Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage) (Spring window, Fall window)	1 per sq ft	1 ft	~57 days			I	S		S
Nasturtium	1 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~55 days				S
Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco)	1 per sq ft	1.5-3 ft	~75 days		I		S
Oca⚠ Not recommended for zone 5b	1 per sq ft	0.5-1.5 ft	~210 days				S
Okra⚠ Not recommended for zone 5b	1 per sq ft	5-6 ft	~58 days			I	S
Onion	16 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~100 days		I	S
Orach (Mountain Spinach)	4 per sq ft	3-5 ft	~45 days			S
Oregano	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~80 days		I		S
Orlaya (Laceflower)	2 per sq ft	2-2.5 ft	~90 days			I	S
Ornamental Allium (Fall window)	5 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~195 days								S	S	S
Osteospermum	1 per sq ft	1-3 ft	~90 days		I		S
Padrón Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~60 days		I		S
Pansy / Viola	2 per sq ft	6-9 in	~65 days	I		S
Parsley	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~75 days		I	S
Parsley Root (Hamburg Parsley)	9 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~90 days				S
Parsnip	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~110 days			S
Pasilla Pepper (Chilaca)	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~80 days		I		S
Pawpaw	~16 sq ft each	15-20 ft	First real harvest in year 5				T
Pea (Spring window, Fall window)	8 per sq ft	3-6 ft	~60 days		S				S
Peach	~16 sq ft each	12-15 ft	First real harvest in year 4			T
Peanut⚠ Not recommended for zone 5b	1 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~130 days				S
Pear	~16 sq ft each	14-18 ft	First real harvest in year 5			T
Pennyroyal⚠ Not recommended for zone 5b⚠ Toxic	1 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	First real harvest the season after planting				S
Penstemon (Beardtongue)	1 per sq ft	2-4 ft	First real harvest the season after planting			S
Petunia	1 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~70 days		I		S
Phacelia (Lacy Phacelia)	4 per sq ft	2.5-3.5 ft	~70 days			S
Phlox (Annual)	2 per sq ft	0.5-1.5 ft	~70 days			I	S
Pimento Pepper	1 per sq ft	1.5-2.5 ft	~80 days		I		S
Pineapple Sage	~10 sq ft each	3-5 ft	~90 days				T
Plum	~16 sq ft each	15-18 ft	First real harvest in year 5			T
Poblano Pepper (Ancho)	1 per sq ft	2-4 ft	~70 days		I		S
Portulaca (Moss Rose)	1 per sq ft	4-8 in	~60 days		I		S
Potato	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	~90 days			S
Primula	2 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	First real harvest the season after planting		I	S
Pumpkin	~10 sq ft each	1-1.5 ft	~110 days				S
Purple Coneflower	~4 sq ft each	2-3 ft	~365 days after planting		I	S
Purslane	4 per sq ft	4-8 in	~50 days			I	S
Quince	~16 sq ft each	10-15 ft	First real harvest in year 4				T
Radicchio	2 per sq ft	0.5-1.5 ft	~75 days			I	S
Radish (Spring window, Fall window)	16 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~25 days			S				S
Ranunculus	5 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~105 days				S
Raspberry	~4 sq ft each	5-6 ft	First real harvest the season after planting			T
Rhubarb	~9 sq ft each	2-3 ft	First real harvest in year 3			S
Rock Soapwort	~4 sq ft each	6-9 in	First real harvest the season after planting			S
Rocoto Pepper	~4 sq ft each	3-4 ft	~120 days	I			S
Root Chervil	9 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~150 days	S
Roselle	~10 sq ft each	4-7 ft	~150 days		I		S
Rosemary	1 per sq ft	2-4 ft	~90 days		I		S
Rue⚠ Toxic	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~90 days		I		S
Rutabaga	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~90 days						S
Saffron Crocus (Summer window)	9 per sq ft	4-10 in	~425 days after direct-sowing							S	S
Sage	1 per sq ft	1.5-2.5 ft	~75 days		I		S
Salad Burnet	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	~75 days		I		S
Salsify	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~120 days				S
Saltwort	9 per sq ft	0.5-1.5 ft	~45 days				S
Salvia (Scarlet Sage)	1 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~80 days		I		S
Saponaria (Soapwort)	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~70 days			I/S
Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)	1 per sq ft	1.5-2.5 ft	~120 days		I		S
Scallion (Green Onion)	9 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~60 days			S
Scarlet Flax	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~70 days				S
Scarlet Runner Bean	1 per sq ft	6-9 ft	~70 days			I	S
Scorzonera (Black Salsify)	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~120 days				S
Scotch Bonnet Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~90 days		I		S
Sea Kale	~9 sq ft each	1.5-2.5 ft	First real harvest in year 3			S
Sedum (Showy Stonecrop)	~4 sq ft each	1-2 ft	First real harvest the season after planting			S
Serrano Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~78 days		I		S
Serviceberry (Juneberry)	~16 sq ft each	6-15 ft	First real harvest in year 4			T
Shallot	9 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~108 days			S
Shasta Daisy	1 per sq ft	1.5-2.5 ft	~105 days		I	S
Shishito Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~60 days		I		S
Shiso (Perilla)	4 per sq ft	1-3 ft	~82 days				S
Showy Evening Primrose⚠ Spreads aggressively	1 per sq ft	1-2 ft	First real harvest the season after planting				S
Skirret	~1 sq ft each	1.5-2.5 ft	First real harvest the season after planting		I		S
Snapdragon	2 per sq ft	1-3 ft	~90 days		I		S
Sorrel	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~50 days			I/S
Spilanthes (Toothache Plant)	2 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~65 days		I		S
Spinach (Spring window, Fall window)	9 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~40 days			S				S
Statice	1 per sq ft	2-2.5 ft	~90 days		I		S
Stevia	1 per sq ft	1.5-2.5 ft	~90 days				T
Stock	2 per sq ft	2-2.5 ft	~80 days		I		S
Strawberry	1 per sq ft	6-8 in	First real harvest the season after planting			T
Strawflower	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~80 days		I		S
Summer Savory	4 per sq ft	5-7 in	~60 days		I		S
Summer Squash (Yellow)	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~55 days			I	S
Sunchoke (Jerusalem Artichoke)	~16 sq ft each	6-10 ft	First real harvest the season after planting			S
Sunflower	~2 sq ft each	3-12 ft	~80 days				S
Superhot Pepper (Ghost, Reaper, Scorpion)	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~135 days	I			S
Sweet Alyssum	3 per sq ft	3-10 in	~40 days		I		S
Sweet Annie (Artemisia)	1 per sq ft	4-6 ft	~100 days		I		S
Sweet Banana Pepper	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	~70 days		I		S
Sweet Cherry	~16 sq ft each	16-20 ft	First real harvest in year 5			T
Sweet Cherry Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-2.5 ft	~75 days		I		S
Sweet Corn	1 per sq ft	5-8 ft	~75 days				S
Sweet Pea	2 per sq ft	5-8 ft	~85 days		S
Sweet Potato⚠ Not recommended for zone 5b	~4 sq ft each	0.5-1 ft	~110 days		I		S
Sweet William	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~60 days		I		S
Swiss Chard (Spring window, Fall window)	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~55 days			I/S			S
Tabasco Pepper	1 per sq ft	2.5-4 ft	~85 days		I		S
Tansy⚠ Toxic · Restricted in some states	1 per sq ft	1-5 ft	First real harvest the season after planting			S
Tarragon (French)	1 per sq ft	1.5-2.5 ft	~65 days				T
Tart Cherry	~16 sq ft each	12-16 ft	First real harvest in year 4			T
Tatsoi	9 per sq ft	4-8 in	~45 days			S
Thai Chili Pepper (Bird's Eye)	1 per sq ft	1.5-3 ft	~80 days		I		S
Thyme	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~90 days		I		S
Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)	~2 sq ft each	4-6 ft	~88 days		I		S
Tobacco⚠ Toxic · Restricted in some states	~4 sq ft each	3-10 ft	~120 days		I		S
Tomatillo	~4 sq ft each	2-4 ft	~65 days		I		S
Tomato	1 per sq ft	3-6 ft	~70 days		I		S
Torenia (Wishbone Flower)	4 per sq ft	0.5-1.5 ft	~80 days		I		S
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion Pepper	1 per sq ft	2.5-3 ft	~115 days	I			S
Trinidad Scorpion Butch T Pepper	1 per sq ft	2.5-3 ft	~95 days	I			S
Tulip (Fall window)	7 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~180 days									S
Turnip (Spring window, Fall window)	9 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~50 days			S				S
Upland Cress	9 per sq ft	4-8 in	~50 days				S
Valerian	~2 sq ft each	4-6.5 ft	~730 days after transplanting		I		S
Vegetable Amaranth	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~40 days				S
Verbena	~2 sq ft each	0.5-1 ft	~80 days		I		S
Veronica (Speedwell)	~4 sq ft each	2-3 ft	First real harvest the season after planting			S
Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)	1 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	~80 days		I		S
Watercress	9 per sq ft	4-10 in	~50 days			I/S
Watermelon	~10 sq ft each	6-10 in	~85 days				S
Wax Begonia	2 per sq ft	0.5-2 ft	~90 days	I			S
White Sage⚠ Not recommended for zone 5b	1 per sq ft	1.5-3 ft	~90 days		I		S
Wild Bergamot	~9 sq ft each	2-4 ft	First real harvest the season after planting			S
Winter Savory	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	~90 days		I		S
Winter Squash	~4 sq ft each	1-1.5 ft	~100 days				S
Xeranthemum (Immortelle)	4 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	~85 days		I		S
Yacon⚠ Not recommended for zone 5b	~4 sq ft each	4-6 ft	~210 days		I		S
Yarrow	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	~100 days		I		S
Za'atar Oregano	1 per sq ft	1-2 ft	~90 days		I		S
Zinnia	1 per sq ft	1-4 ft	~65 days			I	S
Zucchini	~4 sq ft each	2-3 ft	~50 days			I	S

Vegetables & Herbs

Plant	Spacing	Height	Window	Method	Start indoors	Direct sow / transplant	Est. harvest
Achira	~4 sq ft each	4-8 ft	—	Either	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Nov 20–Nov 27
American Ginseng	4 per sq ft	0.5-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	About 3 years after planting
Angelica	~2 sq ft each	6-8 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 19–Apr 26	About a year after planting
Anise	4 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Sep 17–Sep 24
Anise Hyssop	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Either	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 10–May 17	Jul 27–Aug 3
Artichoke	~5 sq ft each	3-4 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 1–Mar 8	Apr 19–Apr 26	Jul 23–Jul 30
Arugula	9 per sq ft	0.5-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 5–Apr 12	May 15–May 22
Asparagus	~4 sq ft each	4-5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest in year 3
Basil	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 24–May 31	Jul 23–Jul 30
Beet	9 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	Spring window	Direct sow	—	Apr 19–Apr 26	Jun 13–Jun 20
Beet	9 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	Fall window	Direct sow	—	Jul 28–Aug 11	Sep 21–Oct 5
Belgian Endive (Witloof)	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Sep 7–Sep 14
Birdhouse Gourd	~10 sq ft each	8-15 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 24–May 31	Aug 27–Sep 3
Bok Choy	1 per sq ft	1 ft	—	Either	Apr 5–Apr 12	May 10–May 17	Jun 29–Jul 6
Borage	1 per sq ft	1.5-3 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Jul 4–Jul 11
Broccoli	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	Spring window	Start indoors	Mar 29–Apr 5	Apr 26–May 3	Jun 30–Jul 7
Broccoli	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	Fall window	Start indoors	Jun 20–Jul 4	Jul 18–Aug 1	Sep 21–Oct 5
Broccoli Rabe (Raab)	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 19–Apr 26	Jun 3–Jun 10
Broccolini	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	—	Start indoors	Apr 5–Apr 12	May 10–May 17	Jul 4–Jul 11
Brussels Sprouts	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 29–Apr 5	Apr 26–May 3	Jul 30–Aug 6
Burdock	4 per sq ft	2-4 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 17–May 24	Sep 14–Sep 21
Bush Beans	9 per sq ft	1-2 ft	Spring window	Direct sow	—	May 17–May 24	Jul 11–Jul 18
Bush Beans	9 per sq ft	1-2 ft	Fall window	Direct sow	—	Jul 28–Aug 11	Sep 21–Oct 5
Cabbage	1 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	Spring window	Start indoors	Mar 29–Apr 5	Apr 26–May 3	Jul 5–Jul 12
Cabbage	1 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	Fall window	Start indoors	Jun 15–Jun 29	Jul 13–Jul 27	Sep 21–Oct 5
Cantaloupe	~4 sq ft each	0.5-1 ft	—	Either	Apr 19–Apr 26	May 24–May 31	Aug 12–Aug 19
Caraway	4 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 19–Apr 26	About a year after planting
Cardoon	~4 sq ft each	3-4 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 24–May 31	Sep 21–Sep 28
Carrot	16 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	Spring window	Direct sow	—	Apr 19–Apr 26	Jun 28–Jul 5
Carrot	16 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	Fall window	Direct sow	—	Jul 13–Jul 27	Sep 21–Oct 5
Catmint	1 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Aug 5–Aug 12
Catnip	1 per sq ft	1.5-3 ft	—	Either	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 10–May 17	Jul 29–Aug 5
Cauliflower	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	Spring window	Start indoors	Mar 29–Apr 5	Apr 26–May 3	Jul 5–Jul 12
Cauliflower	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	Fall window	Start indoors	Jun 15–Jun 29	Jul 13–Jul 27	Sep 21–Oct 5
Celeriac (Celery Root)	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 1–Mar 8	Apr 26–May 3	Aug 4–Aug 11
Celery	4 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 1–Mar 8	Apr 26–May 3	Aug 24–Aug 31
Celtuce (Stem Lettuce)	2 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Either	Apr 12–Apr 19	Apr 19–Apr 26	Jul 8–Jul 15
Chamomile (German)	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 10–May 17	Jul 9–Jul 16
Chervil	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Either	Mar 15–Mar 22	Apr 26–May 3	Jun 25–Jul 2
Chives	9 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Either	Mar 15–Mar 22	Apr 26–May 3	Jun 25–Jul 2
Cilantro	9 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Jun 29–Jul 6
Citronella Plant (Mosquito Plant)	~4 sq ft each	2-3 ft	—	Buy as a start	—	May 17–May 24	Jul 16–Jul 23
Claytonia (Miner's Lettuce)	9 per sq ft	3-6 in	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Jun 19–Jun 26
Collard Greens	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	Spring window	Either	Mar 22–Mar 29	Apr 19–Apr 26	Jun 28–Jul 5
Collard Greens	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	Fall window	Either	—	Jul 13–Jul 27	Sep 21–Oct 5
Cucamelon	1 per sq ft	8-13.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Apr 12–Apr 19	May 24–May 31	Aug 2–Aug 9
Cucumber	2 per sq ft	5-6 ft	—	Either	Apr 19–Apr 26	May 17–May 24	Jul 11–Jul 18
Cumin	9 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 31–Jun 7	Sep 28–Oct 5
Cutting Celery (Leaf Celery)	4 per sq ft	1.5 ft	—	Either	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 10–May 17	Jul 14–Jul 21
Daikon Radish	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Jul 9–Jul 16
Dandelion (Cultivated)	4 per sq ft	0.5-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Jul 9–Jul 16
Dill	4 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 3–May 10	Jun 27–Jul 4
Edamame (Soybean)	4 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 17–May 24	Aug 10–Aug 17
Eggplant	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 7–Aug 14
Epazote	~2 sq ft each	2-5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Jul 9–Jul 16
Escarole (Endive)	2 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Either	Apr 12–Apr 19	Apr 26–May 3	Jul 20–Jul 27
Fava Bean (Broad Bean)	4 per sq ft	2-4 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 19–Apr 26	Jul 5–Jul 12
Fennel (Florence/bulbing)	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Either	Apr 5–Apr 12	May 24–May 31	Aug 22–Aug 29
Flower Sprouts	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 29–Apr 5	Apr 26–May 3	Aug 4–Aug 11
Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli)	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	Jun 10–Jun 17
Garlic	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	Fall window	Direct sow	—	Oct	~240 days after direct-sowing
Garlic Chives (Chinese Leeks)	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Either	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Aug 5–Aug 12
Goldenseal	4 per sq ft	1 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	About 3 years after planting
Ground Cherry (Husk Cherry)	~2 sq ft each	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 31–Jun 7	Aug 16–Aug 23
Horehound	1 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest the season after planting
Horseradish	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 17–May 24	Nov 13–Nov 20
Hyssop	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	—	Either	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 17–May 24	Aug 10–Aug 17
Jicama	1 per sq ft	8-15 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 24–May 31	Oct 21–Oct 28
Kale	1 per sq ft	1-2 ft	Spring window	Either	Mar 29–Apr 5	Apr 19–Apr 26	Jun 18–Jun 25
Kale	1 per sq ft	1-2 ft	Fall window	Either	—	Jul 23–Aug 6	Sep 21–Oct 5
Kalettes	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 29–Apr 5	Apr 26–May 3	Aug 4–Aug 11
Kohlrabi	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	Spring window	Either	Apr 5–Apr 12	Apr 26–May 3	Jun 20–Jun 27
Kohlrabi	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	Fall window	Either	—	Jul 28–Aug 11	Sep 21–Oct 5
Komatsuna	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	Jun 5–Jun 12
Lavender	1 per sq ft	1-2.5 ft	—	Buy as a start	—	May 17–May 24	Aug 25–Sep 1
Leek	9 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 1–Mar 8	Apr 19–Apr 26	Aug 7–Aug 14
Lemon Balm	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	—	Start indoors	Apr 5–Apr 12	May 17–May 24	Jul 21–Jul 28
Lemongrass	1 per sq ft	1.5-4 ft	—	Buy as a start	—	May 17–May 24	Aug 25–Sep 1
Lettuce	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	Spring window	Either	Apr 12–Apr 19	Apr 26–May 3	Jun 10–Jun 17
Lettuce	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	Fall window	Either	—	Aug 7–Aug 21	Sep 21–Oct 5
Licorice Marigold	2 per sq ft	6-10 in	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Jul 9–Jul 16
Lima Bean	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 31–Jun 7	Aug 14–Aug 21
Lovage	1 per sq ft	4-6.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Aug 15–Aug 22
Luffa Gourd	~4 sq ft each	8-15 ft	—	Either	Apr 12–Apr 19	May 17–May 24	Sep 19–Sep 26
Mâche (Corn Salad)	9 per sq ft	2-4 in	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 12–Apr 19	Jun 1–Jun 8
Magenta Spreen	2 per sq ft	4-6 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 19–Apr 26	Jun 3–Jun 10
Malabar Spinach	2 per sq ft	6-10 ft	—	Either	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 17–May 24	Jul 26–Aug 2
Marjoram (Sweet)	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Jul 21–Jul 28
Mashua	~2 sq ft each	2-8 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Dec 6–Dec 13
Mauka	~10 sq ft each	2-4 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 24–May 31	Oct 21–Oct 28
Mexican Mint Marigold	2 per sq ft	1.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Jul 31–Aug 7
Milk Thistle	~4 sq ft each	3-5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	Aug 24–Aug 31
Mint (Spearmint)	1 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Buy as a start	—	May 10–May 17	Jul 19–Jul 26
Mizuna	9 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 19–Apr 26	May 29–Jun 5
Molokhia (Egyptian Spinach)	4 per sq ft	3-5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 24–May 31	Jul 13–Jul 20
Mountain Mint	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Aug 15–Aug 22
Mugwort	~16 sq ft each	2-4 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	First real harvest the season after planting
Mustard Greens	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 19–Apr 26	May 29–Jun 5
Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage)	1 per sq ft	1 ft	Spring window	Either	Apr 12–Apr 19	May 10–May 17	Jul 6–Jul 13
Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage)	1 per sq ft	1 ft	Fall window	Either	—	Jul 26–Aug 9	Sep 21–Oct 5
Oca	1 per sq ft	0.5-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Dec 6–Dec 13
Okra	1 per sq ft	5-6 ft	—	Either	Apr 12–Apr 19	May 24–May 31	Jul 21–Jul 28
Onion	16 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	Apr 19–Apr 26	Jul 28–Aug 4
Orach (Mountain Spinach)	4 per sq ft	3-5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	Jun 10–Jun 17
Oregano	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 17–May 24	Aug 5–Aug 12
Parsley	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Either	Mar 15–Mar 22	Apr 26–May 3	Jul 10–Jul 17
Parsley Root (Hamburg Parsley)	9 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Aug 8–Aug 15
Parsnip	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	Aug 14–Aug 21
Pea	8 per sq ft	3-6 ft	Spring window	Direct sow	—	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 28–Jun 4
Pea	8 per sq ft	3-6 ft	Fall window	Direct sow	—	Jul 23–Aug 6	Sep 21–Oct 5
Peanut	1 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 17–May 24	Sep 24–Oct 1
Pennyroyal	1 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	First real harvest the season after planting
Pineapple Sage	~10 sq ft each	3-5 ft	—	Buy as a start	—	May 17–May 24	Aug 15–Aug 22
Potato	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	Jul 25–Aug 1
Pumpkin	~10 sq ft each	1-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 17–May 24	Sep 4–Sep 11
Purslane	4 per sq ft	4-8 in	—	Either	Apr 19–Apr 26	May 10–May 17	Jun 29–Jul 6
Radicchio	2 per sq ft	0.5-1.5 ft	—	Either	Apr 12–Apr 19	May 10–May 17	Jul 24–Jul 31
Radish	16 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	Spring window	Direct sow	—	Apr 12–Apr 19	May 7–May 14
Radish	16 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	Fall window	Direct sow	—	Aug 27–Sep 10	Sep 21–Oct 5
Rhubarb	~9 sq ft each	2-3 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest in year 3
Root Chervil	9 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Feb 15–Feb 22	Jul 15–Jul 22
Roselle	~10 sq ft each	4-7 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Oct 21–Oct 28
Rosemary	1 per sq ft	2-4 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 1–Mar 8	May 24–May 31	Aug 22–Aug 29
Rue	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Aug 15–Aug 22
Rutabaga	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Jul 12–Jul 19	Oct 10–Oct 17
Sage	1 per sq ft	1.5-2.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 7–Aug 14
Salad Burnet	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	—	Either	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Jul 31–Aug 7
Salsify	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Sep 7–Sep 14
Saltwort	9 per sq ft	0.5-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Jun 24–Jul 1
Scallion (Green Onion)	9 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	Jun 25–Jul 2
Scorzonera (Black Salsify)	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Sep 7–Sep 14
Sea Kale	~9 sq ft each	1.5-2.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest in year 3
Shallot	9 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 19–Apr 26	Aug 5–Aug 12
Shiso (Perilla)	4 per sq ft	1-3 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 17–May 24	Aug 7–Aug 14
Skirret	~1 sq ft each	1.5-2.5 ft	—	Either	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 10–May 17	First real harvest the season after planting
Sorrel	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Either	Apr 5–Apr 12	Apr 26–May 3	Jun 15–Jun 22
Spinach	9 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	Spring window	Direct sow	—	Apr 12–Apr 19	May 22–May 29
Spinach	9 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	Fall window	Direct sow	—	Aug 12–Aug 26	Sep 21–Oct 5
Stevia	1 per sq ft	1.5-2.5 ft	—	Buy as a start	—	May 17–May 24	Aug 15–Aug 22
Summer Savory	4 per sq ft	5-7 in	—	Either	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 10–May 17	Jul 9–Jul 16
Summer Squash (Yellow)	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Either	Apr 19–Apr 26	May 17–May 24	Jul 11–Jul 18
Sunchoke (Jerusalem Artichoke)	~16 sq ft each	6-10 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest the season after planting
Sweet Corn	1 per sq ft	5-8 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 17–May 24	Jul 31–Aug 7
Sweet Potato	~4 sq ft each	0.5-1 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 31–Jun 7	Sep 18–Sep 25
Swiss Chard	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	Spring window	Either	Apr 12–Apr 19	Apr 26–May 3	Jun 20–Jun 27
Swiss Chard	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	Fall window	Either	—	Jul 28–Aug 11	Sep 21–Oct 5
Tansy	1 per sq ft	1-5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest the season after planting
Tarragon (French)	1 per sq ft	1.5-2.5 ft	—	Buy as a start	—	May 17–May 24	Jul 21–Jul 28
Tatsoi	9 per sq ft	4-8 in	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 19–Apr 26	Jun 3–Jun 10
Thyme	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 17–May 24	Aug 15–Aug 22
Tobacco	~4 sq ft each	3-10 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Sep 21–Sep 28
Tomatillo	~4 sq ft each	2-4 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 31–Jun 7	Aug 4–Aug 11
Tomato	1 per sq ft	3-6 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 24–May 31	Aug 2–Aug 9
Turnip	9 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	Spring window	Direct sow	—	Apr 19–Apr 26	Jun 8–Jun 15
Turnip	9 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	Fall window	Direct sow	—	Aug 2–Aug 16	Sep 21–Oct 5
Upland Cress	9 per sq ft	4-8 in	—	Direct sow	—	May 3–May 10	Jun 22–Jun 29
Valerian	~2 sq ft each	4-6.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 17–May 24	About 2 years after planting
Vegetable Amaranth	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 24–May 31	Jul 3–Jul 10
Watercress	9 per sq ft	4-10 in	—	Either	Apr 19–Apr 26	Apr 26–May 3	Jun 15–Jun 22
Watermelon	~10 sq ft each	6-10 in	—	Direct sow	—	May 24–May 31	Aug 17–Aug 24
White Sage	1 per sq ft	1.5-3 ft	—	Either	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 10–May 17	Aug 8–Aug 15
Wild Bergamot	~9 sq ft each	2-4 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 12–Apr 19	First real harvest the season after planting
Winter Savory	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Aug 15–Aug 22
Winter Squash	~4 sq ft each	1-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 17–May 24	Aug 25–Sep 1
Yacon	~4 sq ft each	4-6 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 31–Jun 7	Dec 27–Jan 3
Za'atar Oregano	1 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 22–Aug 29
Zucchini	~4 sq ft each	2-3 ft	—	Either	Apr 19–Apr 26	May 17–May 24	Jul 6–Jul 13

Peppers

Plant	Spacing	Height	Window	Method	Start indoors	Direct sow / transplant	Est. harvest
7 Pot Douglah Pepper (Chocolate 7 Pot)	1 per sq ft	2.5-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Feb 22–Mar 1	May 24–May 31	Aug 27–Sep 3
7 Pot Primo Pepper	1 per sq ft	2.5-3.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Feb 22–Mar 1	May 24–May 31	Sep 11–Sep 18
Aji Amarillo Pepper	1 per sq ft	2.5-3.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 1–Mar 8	May 24–May 31	Aug 22–Aug 29
Anaheim Pepper (New Mexico, Hatch)	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 10–Aug 17
Bell Pepper	1 per sq ft	1.5-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 7–Aug 14
Carolina Reaper Pepper	~4 sq ft each	4-5 ft	—	Start indoors	Feb 22–Mar 1	May 24–May 31	Sep 16–Sep 23
Cayenne Pepper	1 per sq ft	1.5-2.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 2–Aug 9
Chile de Árbol Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 17–Aug 24
Cubanelle Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 2–Aug 9
Datil Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 1–Mar 8	May 24–May 31	Aug 27–Sep 3
Dorset Naga Pepper	1 per sq ft	3-4 ft	—	Start indoors	Feb 22–Mar 1	May 24–May 31	Aug 27–Sep 3
Fresno Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 7–Aug 14
Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)	1 per sq ft	3-4 ft	—	Start indoors	Feb 22–Mar 1	May 24–May 31	Sep 16–Sep 23
Guajillo Pepper (Mirasol)	1 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 7–Aug 14
Habanero Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 1–Mar 8	May 24–May 31	Aug 27–Sep 3
Hungarian Wax Pepper	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 2–Aug 9
Italian Frying Pepper (Corno di Toro, Marconi)	1 per sq ft	2.5-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 2–Aug 9
Jalapeño Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 4–Aug 11
Komodo Dragon Pepper	1 per sq ft	2.5-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Feb 22–Mar 1	May 24–May 31	Sep 6–Sep 13
Lemon Drop Pepper	1 per sq ft	1.5-2.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 1–Mar 8	May 24–May 31	Sep 1–Sep 8
Mini Sweet Pepper (Snacking)	1 per sq ft	2-4 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 2–Aug 9
Naga Viper Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Feb 22–Mar 1	May 24–May 31	Sep 1–Sep 8
Padrón Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Jul 23–Jul 30
Pasilla Pepper (Chilaca)	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 12–Aug 19
Pimento Pepper	1 per sq ft	1.5-2.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 12–Aug 19
Poblano Pepper (Ancho)	1 per sq ft	2-4 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 2–Aug 9
Rocoto Pepper	~4 sq ft each	3-4 ft	—	Start indoors	Feb 15–Feb 22	May 24–May 31	Sep 21–Sep 28
Scotch Bonnet Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 1–Mar 8	May 24–May 31	Aug 22–Aug 29
Serrano Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 10–Aug 17
Shishito Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Jul 23–Jul 30
Superhot Pepper (Ghost, Reaper, Scorpion)	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Feb 22–Mar 1	May 24–May 31	Oct 6–Oct 13
Sweet Banana Pepper	1 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 2–Aug 9
Sweet Cherry Pepper	1 per sq ft	2-2.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 7–Aug 14
Tabasco Pepper	1 per sq ft	2.5-4 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 1–Mar 8	May 24–May 31	Aug 17–Aug 24
Thai Chili Pepper (Bird's Eye)	1 per sq ft	1.5-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 12–Aug 19
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion Pepper	1 per sq ft	2.5-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Feb 22–Mar 1	May 24–May 31	Sep 16–Sep 23
Trinidad Scorpion Butch T Pepper	1 per sq ft	2.5-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Feb 22–Mar 1	May 24–May 31	Aug 27–Sep 3

Fruit & Berries

These stay in the ground for years. The planting window is when to put a bare-root or potted plant in, and the last column is how long before it crops properly rather than a harvest date.

Plant	Space needed	Height	Hardy zones	Plant out	First real harvest
Apple	~18 ft across	15-20 ft	3–8	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest in year 4
Apricot	~16 ft across	13-16 ft	5–8	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest in year 4
Aronia (Black Chokeberry)	~5 ft across	4-8 ft	3–8	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest in year 3
Blackberry	~3 ft across	5-8 ft	5–9	Apr 12–Apr 19	First real harvest the season after planting
Blueberry	~4 ft across	3-6 ft	3–8	Apr 12–Apr 19	First real harvest in year 3
Currant	~4 ft across	3-5 ft	3–8	Apr 12–Apr 19	First real harvest the season after planting
Elderberry	~7 ft across	8-10 ft	3–9	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest in year 3
Fig	~8 ft across	8-15 ft	7–11	May 24–May 31	First real harvest the season after planting
Goji Berry	~5 ft across	3-6 ft	4–7	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest in year 3
Gooseberry	~4 ft across	3-4 ft	3–8	Apr 12–Apr 19	First real harvest the season after planting
Grape	~8 ft across	6-10 ft	4–10	Apr 19–Apr 26	First real harvest in year 3
Honeyberry (Haskap)	~4 ft across	3-6 ft	2–7	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest in year 3
Lingonberry	~2 ft across	0.5-1.5 ft	3–7	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest in year 3
Mulberry	~8 ft across	10-20 ft	4–9	May 10–May 17	First real harvest in year 4
Nanking Cherry	~8 ft across	8-12 ft	2–7	Apr 12–Apr 19	First real harvest in year 4
Pawpaw	~8 ft across	15-20 ft	5–9	May 10–May 17	First real harvest in year 5
Peach	~18 ft across	12-15 ft	5–9	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest in year 4
Pear	~15 ft across	14-18 ft	4–8	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest in year 5
Plum	~16 ft across	15-18 ft	4–8	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest in year 5
Quince	~8 ft across	10-15 ft	5–9	May 10–May 17	First real harvest in year 4
Raspberry	~2 ft across	5-6 ft	3–8	Apr 12–Apr 19	First real harvest the season after planting
Serviceberry (Juneberry)	~8 ft across	6-15 ft	3–8	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest in year 4
Strawberry	~1 ft across	6-8 in	3–10	Apr 19–Apr 26	First real harvest the season after planting
Sweet Cherry	~18 ft across	16-20 ft	5–8	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest in year 5
Tart Cherry	~15 ft across	12-16 ft	4–8	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest in year 4

Flowers

Plant	Spacing	Height	Window	Method	Start indoors	Direct sow / transplant	Est. bloom
African Daisy	2 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Jul 9–Jul 16
Ageratum (Flossflower)	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Jul 31–Aug 7
Agrostemma (Corn Cockle)	2 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Either	Apr 12–Apr 19	Apr 26–May 3	Jul 10–Jul 17
Amaranthus (Love-Lies-Bleeding)	1 per sq ft	3-5 ft	—	Either	Apr 5–Apr 12	May 10–May 17	Aug 8–Aug 15
Amaryllis	1 per sq ft	1-3 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 17–May 24	First real harvest the season after planting
Ammi (False Queen Anne's Lace)	2 per sq ft	3-4 ft	—	Either	Apr 5–Apr 12	May 10–May 17	Aug 18–Aug 25
Ammobium (Winged Everlasting)	4 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 10–May 17	Jul 29–Aug 5
Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)	2 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 24–May 31	Aug 30–Sep 6
Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)	1 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 8–Mar 15	May 17–May 24	Aug 15–Aug 22
Astilbe	~4 sq ft each	1.5-4.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest the season after planting
Bachelor's Button (Cornflower)	3 per sq ft	1-3 ft	—	Either	Mar 22–Mar 29	Apr 26–May 3	Jul 10–Jul 17
Basket-of-Gold	1 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest the season after planting
Bee Balm	1 per sq ft	2-4 ft	—	Buy as a start	—	May 24–May 31	Sep 1–Sep 8
Bells of Ireland	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Either	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 3–May 10	Aug 1–Aug 8
Black-Eyed Susan	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Either	Mar 22–Mar 29	Apr 19–Apr 26	Jun 28–Jul 5
Black-Eyed Susan Vine	1 per sq ft	3-8 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 24–May 31	Sep 1–Sep 8
Bleeding Heart	~4 sq ft each	2-3 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 12–Apr 19	First real harvest the season after planting
Bupleurum (Thoroughwax)	2 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Either	Mar 22–Mar 29	Apr 26–May 3	Jul 25–Aug 1
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)	1 per sq ft	1.5-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 17–May 24	About a year after planting
Calendula	1 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Either	Mar 22–Mar 29	Apr 26–May 3	Jun 15–Jun 22
California Bluebell	2 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Jul 19–Jul 26
California Poppy	2 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	Jul 15–Jul 22
Calla Lily	1 per sq ft	2-3.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 17–May 24	First real harvest the season after planting
Campanula (Bellflower)	2 per sq ft	2.5-3.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Sep 14–Sep 21
Candytuft	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	Jul 5–Jul 12
Carnation	4 per sq ft	2-2.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 3–May 10	Sep 15–Sep 22
Carthamus (Safflower)	4 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	—	Either	Apr 12–Apr 19	May 10–May 17	Aug 8–Aug 15
Castor Bean	~10 sq ft each	6-10 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 17–May 24	Aug 25–Sep 1
Celosia	2 per sq ft	1-2.5 ft	—	Either	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Aug 5–Aug 12
Cerinthe (Honeywort)	2 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Either	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 10–May 17	Jul 24–Jul 31
China Aster	4 per sq ft	1.5-2.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Aug 15–Aug 22
Chrysanthemum (Garden Mum)	1 per sq ft	1-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	First real harvest the season after planting
Clarkia (Farewell-to-Spring)	4 per sq ft	1-3 ft	—	Either	Apr 12–Apr 19	Apr 19–Apr 26	Jul 3–Jul 10
Cleome (Spider Flower)	1 per sq ft	1.5-6 ft	—	Either	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 24–May 31	Aug 7–Aug 14
Coleus	1 per sq ft	0.5-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 1–Mar 8	May 24–May 31	Aug 7–Aug 14
Columbine	1 per sq ft	1.5-2.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 8–Mar 15	May 17–May 24	About a year after planting
Coreopsis (Tickseed)	1 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Either	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Aug 5–Aug 12
Corn Poppy	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	Jul 25–Aug 1
Cosmos	1 per sq ft	2-6 ft	—	Either	Apr 5–Apr 12	May 17–May 24	Jul 26–Aug 2
Cranberry Hibiscus	~4 sq ft each	3.5-6 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Aug 25–Sep 1
Craspedia (Drumstick Flower)	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Sep 9–Sep 16
Crocus	12 per sq ft	3-6 in	Fall window	Direct sow	—	Sep–Nov	~150 days after direct-sowing
Cynoglossum (Chinese Forget-Me-Not)	4 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	—	Either	Apr 12–Apr 19	Apr 19–Apr 26	Jul 3–Jul 10
Daffodil (Narcissus)	5 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	Fall window	Direct sow	—	Sep–Nov	~150 days after direct-sowing
Dahlia	1 per sq ft	1-5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 24–May 31	Aug 22–Aug 29
Delphinium	1 per sq ft	3-6 ft	—	Buy as a start	—	May 31–Jun 7	Oct 28–Nov 4
Desert Marigold	1 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 17–May 24	Jul 31–Aug 7
Didiscus (Blue Lace Flower)	2 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Aug 8–Aug 15
Dusty Miller	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 8–Mar 15	May 17–May 24	Aug 15–Aug 22
Dutch Iris	4 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	Fall window	Direct sow	—	Sep–Nov	~210 days after direct-sowing
Echinops (Globe Thistle)	~2 sq ft each	2.5-4 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	About a year after planting
Eryngium (Sea Holly)	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Feb 8–Feb 15	May 17–May 24	About a year after planting
Eucalyptus	1 per sq ft	2-4 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 8–Mar 15	May 17–May 24	Aug 25–Sep 1
Euphorbia (Snow-on-the-Mountain)	4 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Either	Apr 5–Apr 12	May 10–May 17	Jul 29–Aug 5
Feverfew	2 per sq ft	2.5-3 ft	—	Either	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 10–May 17	Jul 29–Aug 5
Forget-Me-Not	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	Jul 5–Jul 12
Four O'Clock	~2 sq ft each	2-3 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 17–May 24	Jul 26–Aug 2
Foxglove	1 per sq ft	2-5 ft	—	Start indoors	Feb 22–Mar 1	May 17–May 24	About a year after planting
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)	1 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Either	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Aug 5–Aug 12
Gazania	2 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 17–May 24	Jul 31–Aug 7
Gladiolus	2 per sq ft	2-4 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	Jul 25–Aug 1
Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)	1 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Aug 15–Aug 22
Gypsophila (Baby's Breath)	2 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	—	Either	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Jul 31–Aug 7
Helipterum (Paper Daisy)	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Either	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Aug 5–Aug 12
Heuchera (Coral Bells)	1 per sq ft	1-3 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest the season after planting
Hollyhock	~5 sq ft each	5-9 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	Oct 23–Oct 30
Honesty (Lunaria)	~2 sq ft each	2-3 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Sep 7–Sep 14
Hosta	~4 sq ft each	0.5-2.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest the season after planting
Hyacinth	5 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	Fall window	Direct sow	—	Sep–Nov	~150 days after direct-sowing
Hyacinth Bean Vine	1 per sq ft	6-12 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 31–Jun 7	Aug 29–Sep 5
Impatiens	2 per sq ft	0.5-2 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 1–Mar 8	May 24–May 31	Aug 7–Aug 14
Johnny Jump Up	4 per sq ft	3-10 in	—	Start indoors	Mar 1–Mar 8	Apr 26–May 3	Jun 30–Jul 7
Lantana	~7 sq ft each	1-2 ft	—	Buy as a start	—	May 24–May 31	Aug 22–Aug 29
Larkspur	1 per sq ft	3-4 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 12–Apr 19	Jul 16–Jul 23
Lavatera (Annual Mallow)	~4 sq ft each	2-4 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Aug 8–Aug 15
Liatris (Blazing Star)	1 per sq ft	3-6 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest the season after planting
Lisianthus	2 per sq ft	1-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Feb 8–Feb 15	May 17–May 24	Oct 14–Oct 21
Lobelia	4 per sq ft	4-8 in	—	Start indoors	Mar 8–Mar 15	May 17–May 24	Aug 5–Aug 12
Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella)	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	Jul 10–Jul 17
Lupine	~2 sq ft each	2-4 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	Jul 15–Jul 22
Maiden Pinks	1 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest the season after planting
Mallow (High Mallow)	~4 sq ft each	2-3 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Aug 28–Sep 4
Marigold	4 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Either	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 17–May 24	Jul 6–Jul 13
Moonflower	2 per sq ft	10-20 ft	—	Either	Apr 5–Apr 12	May 10–May 17	Aug 8–Aug 15
Morning Glory	~4 sq ft each	8-10 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 24–May 31	Aug 7–Aug 14
Nasturtium	1 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 17–May 24	Jul 11–Jul 18
Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco)	1 per sq ft	1.5-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 17–May 24	Jul 31–Aug 7
Orlaya (Laceflower)	2 per sq ft	2-2.5 ft	—	Either	Apr 5–Apr 12	May 3–May 10	Aug 1–Aug 8
Ornamental Allium	5 per sq ft	2-3 ft	Fall window	Direct sow	—	Sep–Nov	~195 days after direct-sowing
Osteospermum	1 per sq ft	1-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 17–May 24	Aug 15–Aug 22
Pansy / Viola	2 per sq ft	6-9 in	—	Start indoors	Feb 15–Feb 22	Apr 26–May 3	Jun 30–Jul 7
Penstemon (Beardtongue)	1 per sq ft	2-4 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 12–Apr 19	First real harvest the season after planting
Petunia	1 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 8–Mar 15	May 24–May 31	Aug 2–Aug 9
Phacelia (Lacy Phacelia)	4 per sq ft	2.5-3.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 19–Apr 26	Jun 28–Jul 5
Phlox (Annual)	2 per sq ft	0.5-1.5 ft	—	Either	Apr 5–Apr 12	May 3–May 10	Jul 12–Jul 19
Portulaca (Moss Rose)	1 per sq ft	4-8 in	—	Either	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Jul 16–Jul 23
Primula	2 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 1–Mar 8	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest the season after planting
Purple Coneflower	~4 sq ft each	2-3 ft	—	Either	Mar 8–Mar 15	Apr 19–Apr 26	About a year after planting
Ranunculus	5 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 3–May 10	Aug 16–Aug 23
Rock Soapwort	~4 sq ft each	6-9 in	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest the season after planting
Saffron Crocus	9 per sq ft	4-10 in	Summer window	Direct sow	—	Aug–Sep	About a year after planting
Salvia (Scarlet Sage)	1 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 15–Mar 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 12–Aug 19
Saponaria (Soapwort)	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Either	Apr 19–Apr 26	Apr 19–Apr 26	Jun 28–Jul 5
Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)	1 per sq ft	1.5-2.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Sep 14–Sep 21
Scarlet Flax	4 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Jul 19–Jul 26
Scarlet Runner Bean	1 per sq ft	6-9 ft	—	Either	Apr 19–Apr 26	May 17–May 24	Jul 26–Aug 2
Sedum (Showy Stonecrop)	~4 sq ft each	1-2 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest the season after planting
Shasta Daisy	1 per sq ft	1.5-2.5 ft	—	Either	Mar 22–Mar 29	Apr 19–Apr 26	Aug 2–Aug 9
Showy Evening Primrose	1 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	First real harvest the season after planting
Snapdragon	2 per sq ft	1-3 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 8–Mar 15	May 3–May 10	Aug 1–Aug 8
Spilanthes (Toothache Plant)	2 per sq ft	0.5-1 ft	—	Either	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 17–May 24	Jul 21–Jul 28
Statice	1 per sq ft	2-2.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 17–May 24	Aug 15–Aug 22
Stock	2 per sq ft	2-2.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 10–May 17	Jul 29–Aug 5
Strawflower	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Either	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 10–May 17	Jul 29–Aug 5
Sunflower	~2 sq ft each	3-12 ft	—	Direct sow	—	May 10–May 17	Jul 29–Aug 5
Sweet Alyssum	3 per sq ft	3-10 in	—	Either	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 10–May 17	Jun 19–Jun 26
Sweet Annie (Artemisia)	1 per sq ft	4-6 ft	—	Either	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 10–May 17	Aug 18–Aug 25
Sweet Pea	2 per sq ft	5-8 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Mar 29–Apr 5	Jun 22–Jun 29
Sweet William	4 per sq ft	1-2 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 3–May 10	Jul 2–Jul 9
Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)	~2 sq ft each	4-6 ft	—	Either	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 24–May 31	Aug 20–Aug 27
Torenia (Wishbone Flower)	4 per sq ft	0.5-1.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 1–Mar 8	May 24–May 31	Aug 12–Aug 19
Tulip	7 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	Fall window	Direct sow	—	Oct	~180 days after direct-sowing
Verbena	~2 sq ft each	0.5-1 ft	—	Either	Mar 1–Mar 8	May 17–May 24	Aug 5–Aug 12
Veronica (Speedwell)	~4 sq ft each	2-3 ft	—	Direct sow	—	Apr 26–May 3	First real harvest the season after planting
Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)	1 per sq ft	1-1.5 ft	—	Start indoors	Mar 1–Mar 8	May 24–May 31	Aug 12–Aug 19
Wax Begonia	2 per sq ft	0.5-2 ft	—	Start indoors	Feb 15–Feb 22	May 24–May 31	Aug 22–Aug 29
Xeranthemum (Immortelle)	4 per sq ft	1.5-2 ft	—	Either	Mar 29–Apr 5	May 10–May 17	Aug 3–Aug 10
Yarrow	1 per sq ft	2-3 ft	—	Either	Mar 8–Mar 15	May 10–May 17	Aug 18–Aug 25
Zinnia	1 per sq ft	1-4 ft	—	Either	Apr 12–Apr 19	May 17–May 24	Jul 21–Jul 28

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Zone 5b frost dates: when to expect the last spring frost, the first fall frost, and how long that leaves for a growing season.

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Nisaku NJP650 Hori-Hori Weeding KnifeDepth markings on the blade for planting bulbs and garlic at the right depth.Check price on Amazon →Agfabric 0.55oz Floating Row CoverLight enough to leave on through a cold night when a frost threatens early or late plantings.Check price on Amazon →FCMP Outdoor IM4000 Dual Chamber Tumbling ComposterTwo chambers, so one batch finishes while you add fall leaves and scraps to the other.Check price on Amazon →

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Zone 5a & 5b Planting Calendar

Vegetables & Herbs

Peppers

Fruit & Berries

Flowers

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Worth having in December