State guides · Planting calendar
Planting calendar by state and city
When to start seeds, sow and plant 46 vegetables at 1,161 NOAA weather stations in all 50 states. Pick a state and the station nearest you, and every date shifts to that station’s frost dates.
Plant cool-season crops such as peas and spinach in the weeks before your last spring frost, and warm-season crops such as tomatoes, peppers and squash after it. Across these stations, tomato transplants go out from Feb. 2 at Bakersfield Airport, CA to July 3 at Grand Canyon NP Airport, AZ, and peas can be sown from Dec. 17 to May 17. Checked Nov. 13, 2026.
Your planting dates
Know your own frost dates? Enter them
The fall frost has to come after the spring frost.
In Pennsylvania? Our Pennsylvania planting calendar covers 70 towns.
| Sow peas | March 24–May 9 |
| Plant potatoes | March 24–May 24 |
| Set out tomatoes | May 10–July 8 |
| Plant garlic | Oct. 13–Nov. 13 |
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
46 of 46 crops
| Crop | Spring planting | Summer & fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Onions | Start indoors Feb. 10–March 9 Set out transplants April 10–May 9 | — |
| Cabbage | Start indoors Feb. 24–March 24 Set out transplants March 24–April 24 | Start indoors June 13–July 13 Set out transplants July 13–Aug. 13 |
| Broccoli | Start indoors March 1–April 9 Set out transplants April 10–May 9 | Start indoors June 18–July 8 Set out transplants July 18–Aug. 8 |
| Cauliflower | Start indoors March 10–April 9 Set out transplants April 10–May 9 | Start indoors May 30–June 28 Set out transplants June 29–July 29 |
| Collards | Start indoors March 10–May 9 Set out transplants April 10–June 9 | Start indoors May 30–July 8 Set out transplants June 29–Aug. 8 |
| Head lettuce | Start indoors March 10–April 9 Set out transplants April 10–May 9 | Start indoors June 29–July 12 Set out transplants July 30–Aug. 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outside March 17–April 30 | Sow outside July 30–Sept. 8 |
| Arugula | Sow outside March 24–June 9 | Sow outside July 30–Sept. 28 |
| Asparagus | Plant crowns March 24–April 24 | — |
| Chinese cabbageSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside March 24–May 9 | Sow outside June 29–Aug. 5 |
| GarlicPenn State: in allium leafminer country, plant fall garlic as late as you can. | Plant cloves March 24–April 24 | Plant cloves Oct. 13–Nov. 13 |
| Leaf lettuceSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside March 24–June 9 | Sow outside July 13–Aug. 29 |
| PeasPenn State: peas sprout once soil tops 40°F and stop setting blossoms above 85°F. | Sow outside March 24–May 9 | — |
| PeppersPenn State: set out once nights run near 60°F and days near 70°F. | Start indoors March 24–April 24 Set out transplants May 24–June 24 | — |
| PotatoesPenn State: seed potatoes can take a light frost. | Plant seed potatoes March 24–May 24 | — |
| RadishesPenn State: sow in place; transplanting can misshape roots. | Sow outside March 24–May 19 | Sow outside July 13–Sept. 13 |
| TomatoesPenn State: set out once nights run near 60°F and days near 70°F. | Start indoors March 24–May 19 Set out transplants May 10–July 8 | — |
| TurnipsPenn State: sow in place; transplanting can misshape roots. | Sow outside March 24–May 9 | Sow outside July 6–Aug. 29 |
| ShallotsSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside March 29–May 9 | Sow outside Sept. 18–Oct. 13 |
| Tomatillos | Start indoors March 29–April 24 Set out transplants May 10–June 24 | — |
| Beets | Sow outside April 10–July 29 | — |
| Bok choySeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside April 10–May 16 | Sow outside Aug. 6–Sept. 5 |
| EggplantPenn State: set out once nights run near 60°F and days near 70°F. | Start indoors April 10–May 9 Set out transplants May 24–June 24 | — |
| KaleSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside April 10–April 30 | Sow outside July 6–Aug. 13 |
| KohlrabiSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside April 10–May 24 | Sow outside June 29–Aug. 13 |
| LeeksSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside April 10–May 9 | — |
| Mustard greensSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside April 10–May 24 | Sow outside July 13–Aug. 13 |
| Parsley | Sow outside April 10–May 9 | — |
| ParsnipsPenn State: sow in place; transplanting can misshape roots. | Sow outside April 10–May 9 | — |
| Romaine lettuceSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside April 10–May 24 | Sow outside July 13–Aug. 29 |
| CarrotsPenn State: sow in place; transplanting can misshape roots. | Sow outside April 24–June 9 | Sow outside June 13–July 29 |
| Sweet potatoes | Sprout slips indoors April 24–May 24 Set out slips May 24–June 24 | — |
| Swiss chardSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside April 24–July 19 | — |
| Brussels sprouts | — | Start indoors April 29–May 29 Set out transplants June 13–July 13 |
| Green beans (snap beans)Penn State: sow bush beans every two weeks for a steady harvest. | Sow outside May 10–Aug. 5 | — |
| Ground cherriesSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside May 10–June 16 | — |
| Summer squash and zucchiniSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside May 10–June 24 | — |
| Sweet cornPenn State: plant at intervals for a staggered harvest. | Sow outside May 10–July 8 | — |
| OkraSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside May 17–June 9 | — |
| Cantaloupe (muskmelon)Seed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside May 24–June 24 | — |
| CucumbersSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside May 24–July 13 | — |
| Lima beans | Sow outside May 24–July 13 | — |
| PumpkinsSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside May 24–June 24 | — |
| WatermelonSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside May 24–June 24 | — |
| Winter squashSeed, or transplants for an earlier crop | Sow outside May 24–June 24 | — |
| RutabagasPenn State: sow in place; transplanting can misshape roots. | — | Sow outside June 29–July 29 |
Frost dates here are medians: in about half of years a freeze still comes after the spring date, and in about half the first fall freeze comes before the fall date. Watch the forecast and cover tender plants.
Planting dates by state
Each range runs from the earliest to the latest station in the state. Pick a state for every station and every crop.
| State | Stations | Median last frost | Set out tomatoes | Sow peas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 37 | Feb. 21–April 7 | March 9–April 23 | Jan. 21–March 7 |
| Alaska | 66 | April 4–June 10 | April 20–June 26 | March 4–May 10 |
| Arizona | 23 | Feb. 5–June 17 | Feb. 21–July 3 | Jan. 5–May 17 |
| Arkansas | 19 | March 13–April 15 | March 29–May 1 | Feb. 10–March 15 |
| California | 90 | Jan. 17–June 3 | Feb. 2–June 19 | Dec. 17–May 3 |
| Colorado | 28 | April 24–June 7 | May 10–June 23 | March 24–May 7 |
| Connecticut | 8 | April 5–May 1 | April 21–May 17 | March 5–March 31 |
| Delaware | 2 | April 4–April 7 | April 20–April 23 | March 4–March 7 |
| Florida | 55 | Feb. 5–March 21 | Feb. 21–April 6 | Jan. 5–Feb. 18 |
| Georgia | 22 | Feb. 9–April 5 | Feb. 25–April 21 | Jan. 9–March 5 |
| Hawaii | 10 | No station with frost-based dates | ||
| Idaho | 17 | April 6–June 10 | April 22–June 26 | March 6–May 10 |
| Illinois | 22 | April 2–April 30 | April 18–May 16 | March 2–March 30 |
| Indiana | 14 | April 4–May 1 | April 20–May 17 | March 4–March 31 |
| Iowa | 17 | April 15–May 3 | May 1–May 19 | March 15–April 2 |
| Kansas | 25 | April 6–May 2 | April 22–May 18 | March 6–April 1 |
| Kentucky | 11 | March 31–April 18 | April 16–May 4 | Feb. 28–March 18 |
| Louisiana | 21 | Jan. 30–March 25 | Feb. 15–April 10 | Dec. 30–Feb. 22 |
| Maine | 13 | April 26–May 27 | May 12–June 12 | March 26–April 26 |
| Maryland | 9 | March 23–April 10 | April 8–April 26 | Feb. 20–March 10 |
| Massachusetts | 19 | April 4–May 10 | April 20–May 26 | March 4–April 9 |
| Michigan | 37 | April 20–May 31 | May 6–June 16 | March 20–April 30 |
| Minnesota | 17 | April 23–June 5 | May 9–June 21 | March 23–May 5 |
| Mississippi | 13 | Feb. 23–April 6 | March 11–April 22 | Jan. 23–March 6 |
| Missouri | 25 | March 31–April 23 | April 16–May 9 | Feb. 28–March 23 |
| Montana | 24 | May 4–June 3 | May 20–June 19 | April 3–May 3 |
| Nebraska | 23 | April 16–May 27 | May 2–June 12 | March 16–April 26 |
| Nevada | 15 | Jan. 20–June 13 | Feb. 5–June 29 | Dec. 20–May 13 |
| New Hampshire | 10 | April 21–May 30 | May 7–June 15 | March 21–April 29 |
| New Jersey | 11 | March 26–May 1 | April 11–May 17 | Feb. 23–March 31 |
| New Mexico | 19 | March 18–June 10 | April 3–June 26 | Feb. 15–May 10 |
| New York | 33 | March 26–June 2 | April 11–June 18 | Feb. 23–May 2 |
| North Carolina | 28 | March 4–April 24 | March 20–May 10 | Feb. 1–March 24 |
| North Dakota | 14 | May 6–May 24 | May 22–June 9 | April 5–April 23 |
| Ohio | 28 | April 8–May 2 | April 24–May 18 | March 8–April 1 |
| Oklahoma | 20 | March 26–April 22 | April 11–May 8 | Feb. 23–March 22 |
| Oregon | 27 | Feb. 21–June 11 | March 9–June 27 | Jan. 21–May 11 |
| Pennsylvania | 25 | April 2–May 18 | April 18–June 3 | March 2–April 17 |
| Rhode Island | 5 | April 11–May 1 | April 27–May 17 | March 11–March 31 |
| South Carolina | 16 | Feb. 4–April 1 | Feb. 20–April 17 | Jan. 4–March 1 |
| South Dakota | 21 | April 27–May 23 | May 13–June 8 | March 27–April 22 |
| Tennessee | 12 | March 16–April 20 | April 1–May 6 | Feb. 13–March 20 |
| Texas | 82 | Jan. 21–April 22 | Feb. 6–May 8 | Dec. 21–March 22 |
| Utah | 17 | April 8–June 7 | April 24–June 23 | March 8–May 7 |
| Vermont | 6 | April 29–May 20 | May 15–June 5 | March 29–April 19 |
| Virginia | 19 | March 16–April 15 | April 1–May 1 | Feb. 13–March 15 |
| Washington | 33 | March 2–May 30 | March 18–June 15 | Jan. 30–April 29 |
| West Virginia | 12 | April 14–May 7 | April 30–May 23 | March 14–April 6 |
| Wisconsin | 20 | April 19–May 26 | May 5–June 11 | March 19–April 25 |
| Wyoming | 21 | May 4–June 3 | May 20–June 19 | April 3–May 3 |
How these dates are set
We start from the University of Maryland Extension’s vegetable planting calendar, which gives planting windows built around an April 15 last frost and an October 25 first frost. For each station we move those dates by the gap between Maryland’s frost dates and the station’s median 32°F freeze dates from NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals. Spring dates move with your last frost; summer and fall sowing deadlines, which have to leave time for a harvest, move with your first frost. Where the source says mid-month we use the 15th; early ends on the 10th and late starts on the 20th.
A frost-based calendar only works where frost sets the season. 152 stations, most of them in California, Florida and Alaska, have no reliable freeze dates in the normals, or too few years of them, so they show a note instead of dates. 7 stations, most of them in Montana, Alaska and Colorado, have fewer than 90 days between median freezes and also show a note. We leave out NOAA’s Mauna Loa observatory, an 11,000-foot research station on Hawaii’s Big Island. Where a fall planting would overlap the spring one, we leave it out, and a few warm crops in short seasons show a single date marked short season.
Two rules from Penn State Extension hold everywhere frost does: cool-season crops such as peas, spinach, lettuce, cabbage and broccoli can go in from several weeks to a couple of months before the last frost, and warm-season crops such as tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash and corn always go in after it. Stations sit at airports and weather sites, so a valley or hilltop garden can run earlier or later than the station.
Questions
When should I plant tomatoes?
Set transplants out starting about two weeks after your median last frost and start seeds indoors about seven weeks before that. Across these stations that runs from Feb. 2 at Bakersfield Airport, CA to July 3 at Grand Canyon NP Airport, AZ. Pick your state and station above for your dates.
When is the last frost in my area?
Pick your state and the nearest station above. Median last 32°F freezes at stations with frost-based dates run from Jan. 17 at Bakersfield Airport, CA to June 17 at Grand Canyon NP Airport, AZ. In half of years a freeze still comes after the median date.
Why does my station show no dates?
NOAA’s normals list no reliable freeze dates for it, which usually means freezes are rare there, or the station’s season between median freezes is under 90 days. In both cases a frost-shifted calendar would mislead you, so use your state Extension service’s planting guide or enter frost dates you trust.
When do you plant peas?
From about a month before your median last frost through about two weeks after it. Across these stations, first sowing dates run from Dec. 17 to May 17. Penn State notes peas sprout once soil tops 40°F.
Where do these planting dates come from?
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension’s vegetable planting calendar, shifted to each station’s median freeze dates from NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, with Penn State Extension guidance. Seed packets and your own soil still have the last word.
More guides
- Pennsylvania planting calendar by town
- Frost dates by state
- Hardiness zone by ZIP code
- Soil types by state
- What weed is this? Garden weed finder
Sources: University of Maryland Extension, When to Plant Vegetables (updated Aug. 3, 2026); NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020; NOAA annual and seasonal normals files; Penn State Extension, Cool-season vs. Warm-season Vegetables; Penn State Extension, Starting Your Summer Vegetable Garden. Checked Nov. 13, 2026.
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Using this guide? Link to it or cite it. It's free to use with a link back, and we keep it updated against official sources.
Cite as: Muthler Landscaping & Construction, “Planting Calendar by State and City,” https://muthlerlandscaping.com/state-guides/planting-calendar/ (last checked November 14, 2026).
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