When to Start Seeds per Zone

Planting and Transplanting Guide for Vegetables

This guide provides an overview of the best times to plant and transplant vegetables throughout the growing season.

ZONE 5 CHART

Spring Planting Dates for Zone 5B-6A

• As soon as the garden soil is workable: Typically mid-April (around April 15).
• After the last frost date: Usually mid-May (around May 14).
• When soil has warmed: Early June (around June 1).

Vegetables for Different Planting Times

As soon as soil is workable (April 15)

• Beets
• Carrots
• Kale
• Kohlrabi
• Leeks
• Lettuce
• Mustard Greens
• Onions (sets, transplants, or seeds)
• Parsley
• Peas
• Radishes
• Spinach
• Swiss Chard
• Turnips
• Rutabagas

After the last frost (May 14)

• Beans
• Broccoli (transplants or seeds)
• Brussels Sprouts (transplants or seeds)
• Cabbage (transplants or seeds)
• Cauliflower (transplants or seeds)
• Celery (transplants)
• Endive
• Potatoes
• Sweet Corn
• Tomatoes (transplants)

When soil is warm (June 1)

• Basil
• Cucumbers
• Eggplants (transplants)
• Melons (transplants)
• Okra (transplants)
• Peppers (transplants)
• Pumpkins
• Squash (summer and winter varieties)
• Watermelon (transplants)

Last Planting Dates for Fall Crops

Fall crops must mature before frost halts growth. Use these guidelines for the latest safe planting dates based on Zone 5B-6A average first frost (October 1-15). Adjust for warmer or cooler regions.

June 10

• Lima Beans
• Edible Cowpeas
• Most Herbs
• Late Muskmelons
• Okra
• Popcorn
• Edible Soybeans
• Late Tomatoes
• Watermelon

June 30

• Pole Beans
• Brussels Sprouts
• Late Cabbage
• Celeriac
• Celery (transplants)
• Eggplants (transplants)
• Leeks
• Peppers
• Medium Maturity Sweet Corn
• Early Tomatoes

July 15

• Snap Beans
• Medium Maturity Cabbage (transplants)
• Carrots
• Late Cauliflower (transplants)
• Chinese Cabbage
• Cucumbers
• Head Lettuce
• Romaine Lettuce
• Parsley
• Rutabagas
• Summer Squash
• Early Maturity Sweet Corn

July 31

• Beets
• Early Broccoli (transplants)
• Early Cauliflower (transplants)
• Collards
• Endive
• Kale
• Kohlrabi
• Bibb Lettuce
• Mustard Greens
• Peas
• Swiss Chard

August 10

• Leaf Lettuce
• Spinach
• Turnips
• Radishes

Additional Notes

1. Transplanting vs. Seeding: While some vegetables are typically transplanted (e.g., tomatoes, peppers), others like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower can be direct-seeded. Direct seeding should occur 2-3 weeks earlier than transplanting dates.
2. Onions: Seed onions by April 30 or transplant by May 15.
3. Early, Medium, and Late Varieties: Early maturing varieties can be planted later than medium or late-maturing varieties.

Some resources provided by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County.