Discover the optimal timing for cultivating a bountiful vegetable garden in Zones 5 and 6 with our comprehensive Vegetable Planting Dates table, ensuring successful yields throughout the growing season.
Planting Schedule
| Vegetable | Sow Seed Indoors | Transplant Outside | Direct Sow (outside) | Fall Sowing Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amaranth | X | X | 5/20 - 7/20 | X |
| Arugula | X | X | 4/1 - 8/31 | 8/1 - 8/31* |
| Basil | 4/15 - 6/30 | 5/20 - 7/31 | 6/1 - 7/1 | X |
| Beans (pole) | X | (soil T >60°) | 5/15 - 6/15 | X |
| Beans (snap, bush) | X | (soil T >60°) | 5/15 - 8/1 | 7/15 |
| Beet | 3/15 - 8/1 | 4/15 - 8/31 (soil T>50°) | 4/15 - 8/15 | 8/1 - 8/15 |
| Bok Choy | 3/15 - 4/15 | 4/15 - 5/15 | 4/15 - 5/15 | 8/1 - 8/15 |
| Broccoli | 4/1 - 7/15 | 5/1 - 8/15 | 5/1 - 7/15 | 7/1 - 7/15 |
| Brussels Sprouts | 3/15 | 4/15 - 5/1 | Not recommended | |
| Cabbage | 4/1 - 7/15 | 5/1 - 8/15 | 5/1 - 7/15 | 7/1 - 7/15 |
| Carrot | X | X | 4/15 - 8/1 | 7/15 - 8/1 |
| Chard, Swiss | 3/15 - 7/15 | 4/15 - 8/15 | 5/1 - 8/15 | 7/15 - 8/15 |
| Chicory | 7/1 - 8/31 | 8/1 - 9/7 | 7/1 - 8/31 | 9/1 |
| Chinese (Napa) Cabbage | 6/15 - 7/1 | 7/15 - 8/1 | 7/1 - 7/15 | 7/1 - 7/15 |
| Chijimisai | 3/15 - 4/15 | 4/15 - 5/15 | 4/15 - 5/15 | 8/15 |
| Cilantro (not recommended) | X | (soil T>55°) | 5/1 - 9/1 | 8/15 - 9/1 |
| Collards | 3/15 - 8/1 | 4/15 - 8/31 | 4/15 - 8/1 | 7/15 - 8/1 |
| Corn | 5/15 - 6/1 | 6/1 - 6/15 (Soil T>65°) | 5/15 - 6/15 | X |
| Cucumber+ | 5/1 | 5/20+ | 6/1 - 6/30 | X |
| Edamame | X | X | 5/7 - 6/15 | X |
| Eggplant | 4/1 - 5/1 | 5/20 - 6/15 | X | X |
| Garlic Chives | 3/15 | 5/15 | 5/20 - 7/31 | X |
| Good King Henry | 4/1 | 6/1 | 5/20 - 6/15 | X |
| Hairy Vetch | X | (soil T >60°) | 5/7 - 8/1 | 8/1 - 9/30 |
| Kale (for large plants) | 4/15 - 8/31 | 3/27 | 4/15 - 8/1 | 8/1 |
| Kale (for baby leaf) | X | X | 4/15 - 9/1 | 9/1 |
| Kohlrabi | 3/15 | 4/15 | 4/15 | 7/15 |
| Leeks | 2/1 - 3/31 | 4/15 - 6/15 | 3/15 | 6/15 |
| Lettuce (head lettuce) | 3/15 - 7/15 | 4/15 - 8/15 | 4/15 - 8/15 | 8/1 - 8/15* |
| Lettuce (leaf lettuce) | 3/15 - 8/15 | 4/15 - 9/15 | 4/15 - 9/1 | 9/1* |
| Melon+ | 5/1 | 5/20+ | 6/1 - 6/15 | X |
| Mustard, Asian (Mizuna) | X | 4/15 - 8/30 | 8/1 - 9/1 | |
| Mustard, Indian | X | 4/15 - 8/30 | 8/1 - 9/1 | |
| Onions (Bulb onions) | 2/1 | 4/15 | X | X |
| Peas | 3/1 - 4/1 | 4/1 - 5/1 (Soil T>40°) | 4/1 - 5/15 | 7/1 - 7/15 |
| Peppers | 4/1 - 5/1 | 5/20 - 6/15 | X | X |
| Radish (spring types) | X | X | 4/1 - 5/15 | 9/7 |
| Spinach | X | X | 4/1 - 5/15 | 8/15* |
| Squash, summer+ | 5/1 | 5/20+ | 6/1 - 7/1 | X |
| Squash, winter+ | 5/1 | 5/20+ | 5/20 - 6/15 | X |
| Tomato | 4/1-5/1 | 5/20-6/15 | not recommended | X |
| Watermelon | 5/1 | 5/20+ | 6/1 | X |
* seeds may not germinate when soil temperatures are too hot
+ start seeds into biodegradable pots and plant pot-and-all into the ground