US Planting Calendar by Zone

Successful gardening starts with knowing your zone. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map divides the U.S. into 13 zones based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature—the coldest night of the year, averaged over 30 years. Each zone is a 10°F band, further split into “a” and “b” half-zones (e.g., 6a and 6b).

Planting zone tells you which perennials survive winter and, just as importantly, helps you anchor your entire planting schedule. Once you know your zone, you can determine your average last spring frost and first fall frost dates—the real backbone of any planting calendar.

This visual calendar translates your zone into practical planting windows. Warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers go out weeks after your last frost, while cool-season crops like peas, lettuce, and brassicas can often be direct-sown earlier or grown in fall. Zones 3–5 have shorter windows and benefit from season extension; Zones 8–10 enjoy longer seasons with multiple planting rounds.

Match your zone to the chart, note your frost dates, and use this calendar as your starting point. When in doubt, your local extension office can confirm zone-specific timing for your exact location.