Zone 5a
Cold: -20°F to -15°F
This zone has a growing season of 150-180 days, with the last spring frost around May 1 and the first fall frost around October 15.
Growing Season
150-180 days
Last Spring Frost
May 1
First Fall Frost
October 15
States in Zone 5a
IllinoisIndianaIowaOhioPennsylvania
Monthly Planting Guide
Spring
March
- •Start seeds indoors
- •Plan garden layout
April
- •Harden off seedlings
- •Prepare soil
- •Plant cold-hardy crops
May
- •Plant warm-season crops
- •Direct sow beans
- •Monitor frost dates
Summer
June
- •Plant heat-loving crops
- •Succession plant beans
- •Monitor irrigation
July
- •Continue harvesting
- •Plant fall crops
- •Mulch heavily
August
- •Plant fall vegetables
- •Start seeds for fall harvest
- •Preserve harvest
Fall
September
- •Plant garlic
- •Harvest remaining crops
- •Clean up garden
October
- •Plant cover crops
- •Protect tender plants
- •Harvest final crops
November
- •Clean up garden
- •Plan next year
- •Order seeds
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