Sustainable Farming

Seasonal Gardening Guide: What to Plant and When

Seasonal Gardening Guide: What to Plant and When

Monthly or seasonal planting calendars tailored to specific zones or climates

Timing is everything when it comes to successful gardening. Knowing what to plant and when can mean the difference between a thriving harvest and a disappointing season. Whether you’re a beginner with a few pots on a balcony or a seasoned grower with raised beds, a seasonal gardening plan helps you stay ahead of the weather and make the most of your climate.

This guide offers practical planting tips based on USDA Hardiness Zones, seasonal cycles, and general regional climates—so you can plan smarter, grow better, and harvest more.

Understanding USDA Hardiness Zones

Before planting, you’ll want to know your USDA Hardiness Zone—a system that maps the average minimum winter temperatures across the U.S. Each zone helps determine which plants are likely to thrive year-round.

Once you know your zone, you can tailor your planting schedule accordingly.

Seasonal Planting Overview

Here’s a general breakdown of what to plant throughout the year, with notes on how to adjust based on your zone:

Spring (March – May)

Time to sow cool-weather crops and prep for summer harvests

Zones 3–5:

  • Start seeds indoors: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant
  • Direct sow: spinach, peas, lettuce, carrots, radishes, beets (late April–May)

Zones 6–8:

  • Direct sow: greens, carrots, onions, beets, potatoes
  • Transplant: broccoli, kale, cabbage
  • Start tomatoes and peppers indoors or transplant if frost has passed

Zones 9–11:

  • Plant warm-season crops: tomatoes, squash, beans, cucumbers
  • Start herbs: basil, parsley, oregano
  • Avoid cool-season crops as temps rise

Summer (June – August)

Focus on heat-loving crops and quick succession planting

Zones 3–5:

  • Transplant: tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash (early June)
  • Sow fast growers: bush beans, radishes, zucchini
  • Mulch heavily to retain moisture

Zones 6–8:

  • Sow corn, melons, beans, okra
  • Begin second planting of carrots, greens (late August for fall harvest)
  • Keep soil cool and hydrated

Zones 9–11:

  • Focus on heat-tolerant crops: eggplant, okra, sweet potatoes
  • Start planning for fall garden in late August: collards, chard, arugula

Fall (September – November)

Plant cool-season crops and prepare for overwintering

Zones 3–5:

  • Plant garlic (Oct), cover crops, mulch beds for winter
  • Sow spinach and kale early for a late harvest or overwintering

Zones 6–8:

  • Plant leafy greens: kale, spinach, mustard, arugula
  • Start garlic, onions, and overwintering carrots
  • Add compost to prepare beds for spring

Zones 9–11:

  • Ideal season for greens, brassicas, beets, carrots, and herbs
  • Plant lettuce, broccoli, and cauliflower for a productive winter harvest

Winter (December – February)

Rest, plan, and prep for the next season

Zones 3–5:

  • Plan crop rotation and order seeds
  • Start seeds indoors by late February (tomatoes, onions)
  • Maintain compost piles

Zones 6–8:

  • Start indoor seedlings: tomatoes, peppers, onions
  • Prepare garden beds and test soil
  • Continue harvesting winter greens if protected

Zones 9–11:

  • Grow winter crops: lettuce, chard, carrots, broccoli
  • Prune fruit trees and shrubs
  • Prep soil and mulch for spring planting

Zone-Based Planting Calendars (At a Glance)

Here’s a quick seasonal snapshot for a few popular zones:

Zone 5 (Northern Midwest / Northeast):

  • Start seeds indoors: March
  • Last frost: mid-May
  • Best summer crops: beans, tomatoes, zucchini
  • Plant garlic: October

Zone 7 (Mid-Atlantic / Southern Midwest):

  • Direct sow cool crops: February–March
  • Last frost: early April
  • Fall garden: start mid-August
  • Winter crops possible with row covers

Zone 9 (Southeast / Southern California):

  • Spring garden: plant by February
  • Summer garden: heat-tolerant crops by May
  • Fall planting: September–October
  • Winter greens thrive from November through February

Final Thoughts: Garden with the Seasons

Every garden is unique, but one rule holds true: planting in sync with the seasons leads to stronger plants, better harvests, and fewer headaches. Whether you’re growing for beauty, food, or both, following a zone-specific seasonal guide helps you stay one step ahead of pests, weather, and timing mishaps.

Use your local frost dates and climate patterns as a reference, and don’t be afraid to experiment. The more you garden year-round, the more you’ll learn what works best for your space.

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