USDA Zone 2a planting calendar
In USDA Zone 2a, the average last spring frost is around 05/17 and the first fall frost around 09/07, giving roughly a 113-day growing season. Plant cool-season crops from late winter; warm-season crops after the last frost.
Last frost ~05/17
First frost ~09/07
~113-day season
3 NOAA stations
The year in Zone 2a
What to plant now (September)
Garlic
Plant cloves (harvest next summer)
All crops in Zone 2a
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant / sow | Sow for fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | April 16 – April 23 | May 21 – June 4 | — |
| Peppers | April 5 | May 24 – June 7 | — |
| Eggplant | April 9 – April 23 | May 28 – June 11 | — |
| Basil | April 16 | May 21 – June 4 | — |
| Broccoli | March 29 – April 5 | April 19 – May 3 | May 29 – June 12 |
| Cabbage | March 8 – March 22 | April 12 – April 26 | April 19 – May 3 |
| Cauliflower | March 22 – April 5 | April 26 – May 10 | June 3 – June 17 |
| Brussels Sprouts | March 15 – March 29 | April 19 – May 3 | — |
| Kale | March 8 – March 22 | April 12 – April 26 | June 8 – June 22 |
| Lettuce | March 19 – March 26 | April 16 – April 30 | May 24 – June 7 |
| Spinach | — | April 9 – April 23 | July 3 – July 17 |
| Onions | February 8 – February 22 | April 12 – April 26 | — |
| Leeks | February 15 – March 1 | April 19 – May 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | March 22 – March 29 | April 26 – May 10 | — |
| Radishes | — | April 19 – May 3 | July 18 – August 1 |
| Turnips | — | April 19 – May 3 | June 18 – July 2 |
| Beets | — | April 26 – May 10 | June 13 – June 27 |
| Carrots | — | May 10 – May 24 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Peas | — | April 5 – April 19 | June 8 – June 22 |
| Beans | — | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Cucumbers | April 30 – May 7 | May 21 – June 4 | — |
| Summer Squash & Zucchini | May 3 – May 10 | May 24 – June 7 | — |
| Winter Squash | May 3 – May 10 | May 24 – June 7 | — |
| Pumpkins | May 3 – May 10 | May 24 – June 7 | — |
| Melons | May 3 – May 10 | May 24 – June 7 | — |
| Okra | April 26 – May 10 | May 31 – June 14 | — |
| Potatoes | — | April 30 – May 14 | — |
| Parsley | February 19 – February 26 | April 23 – May 7 | — |
| Collards | March 8 – March 22 | April 12 – April 26 | May 24 – June 7 |
| Watermelon | May 3 – May 10 | May 24 – June 7 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 21 – June 4 | — |
| Celery | March 1 – March 15 | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Kohlrabi | March 8 – March 22 | April 12 – April 26 | — |
| Artichoke | February 22 – March 22 | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Asparagus | — | April 16 – April 30 | — |
| Cilantro | — | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Dill | — | April 30 – May 14 | — |
| Oregano | March 15 – March 29 | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Sage | March 29 – April 12 | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Thyme | March 15 – March 29 | May 17 – May 31 | — |
Fall bulb planting in Zone 2a
| Crop | Plant cloves (fall) | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Garlic | September 11 – September 25 | Following summer |
Last verified 2026-09-12. Frost: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 Climate Normals. Zone: USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM-derived). Planting rules: UNH Extension, Johnny's Selected Seeds, UGA Extension.