Garden Planting Calendar: When to Plant Vegetables by Zone & State
Pick your USDA zone, US state, or one of 30 international regions and get exact planting dates for 67 vegetables, herbs & flowers — indoor sow, transplant, direct sow & fall planting — computed from your frost dates. Find out when to plant tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and 62 more crops for your exact zone. Includes a what-to-plant-now planner and a printable month-by-month view.
✔ 67 crops✔ USDA zones 1–13✔ 50 US states✔ 30 international regions✔ Southern hemisphere✔ 100% free✔ No signup
Planting calendar FAQ
What is a planting calendar?
A planting calendar tells you when to start seeds indoors, transplant seedlings outdoors, and sow seeds directly in the ground, based on your area's last spring frost and first fall frost dates. Because frost dates shift with climate zone, a zone-based planting calendar is far more accurate than a generic month list.
How do I find my planting zone?
In the US, use your USDA hardiness zone (1–13). If you don't know it, pick your state in the tool above — each state shows a representative zone range and frost dates. Outside the US, choose one of the 30 international regions, or enter your own last-spring and first-fall frost dates in the Custom tab for the most accurate calendar.
When should I plant vegetables?
It depends on your last spring frost date and the crop. Cool-season vegetables (peas, lettuce, spinach, carrots) go in 3–6 weeks before the last frost. Warm-season vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans) go in after the last frost, once soil is warm. Select your zone above and the calendar computes exact windows for 67 crops.
What is the difference between the last spring frost and the first fall frost?
The last spring frost is the average date after which freezing temperatures are unlikely in spring — it anchors all spring planting. The first fall frost is the average date of the first freeze in autumn — it ends the growing season and anchors fall planting. The days between them are your growing season.
Can I use this planting calendar outside the United States?
Yes. The tool includes 30 international regions across the UK, Ireland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malaysia and Jamaica — including southern-hemisphere regions where the seasons are flipped. If your area isn't listed, use the Custom tab with your local frost dates.
What does "start indoors" mean?
Starting indoors means sowing seeds in trays or pots inside (windowsill, grow lights) several weeks before the last frost, then transplanting the seedlings outdoors after frost danger passes. It gives long-season crops like tomatoes and peppers a head start in short growing seasons.
Direct sow vs transplant — what's the difference?
Direct sow means planting seeds straight into garden soil outdoors (carrots, beans, peas, corn). Transplant means starting seeds indoors and moving seedlings outside later (tomatoes, peppers, broccoli). Some crops do both. The calendar shows every method each plant supports.
When should I plant tomatoes?
Start tomato seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost, then transplant 1–2 weeks after the last frost when nights stay above 50°F (10°C). In USDA zone 7 (last frost ~April 10), that means starting indoors around February 20 and transplanting around April 20. Use the tool to get your exact dates.
What can I plant right now?
Use the "What to plant now" panel in the tool — it compares today's date against every crop's planting windows for your zone and lists what you can start indoors, transplant, direct-sow, or plant as a fall crop this week.
What is fall planting?
Fall planting is sowing cool-season crops (garlic, spinach, kale, carrots, peas) in late summer so they mature in autumn's cool weather — many taste sweeter after light frost. Garlic is the classic: plant cloves in fall, harvest next summer. The calendar's "fall plant" column gives dates counted back from your first fall frost.
Is this planting calendar free?
Yes, completely free with no signup. It runs 100% in your browser — no account, no tracking, no data uploaded. You can also print the calendar or export it as CSV.
How accurate are the frost dates?
Zone and state frost dates are long-term averages from published sources — good planning estimates, not guarantees. Microclimates (urban heat, elevation, proximity to water) can shift your real dates by 1–3 weeks. For the most accurate calendar, enter frost dates observed in your own garden in the Custom tab.
Is there a printable planting calendar?
Yes. After selecting your location, click Print / PDF to get a clean printable version of your month-by-month calendar and full planting table. The print layout hides all controls automatically.
Planting calendar vs garden planner — what's the difference?
A planting calendar answers "when" — sowing and transplanting dates per crop. A garden planner answers "where" — bed layout and spacing. This tool is a planting calendar (timing). Pair it with a spacing plan for your beds and you cover both.
What vegetables are easiest for beginners?
Radishes (ready in 30 days), lettuce, bush beans, zucchini, and herbs like basil and mint are the most forgiving. They germinate fast, tolerate mistakes, and don't need indoor starting. Filter the plant table by category to browse them.
Why do my seedlings fail after transplanting?
The three classic mistakes: transplanting warm-season crops before the last frost, skipping "hardening off" (gradually acclimating indoor seedlings to outdoor sun and wind for 7–10 days), and transplanting in midday heat. The calendar's transplant dates already account for frost timing — harden off and plant on a cloudy afternoon.