Planting plan: what to sow and when
A planting plan is mostly about timing: which crop goes in the ground when, which ones need a head start indoors, and how long each one takes to reach the table. The tables below are built from our crop database - sowing windows for four climate types, the weeks-before-frost rule for the most popular vegetables, and last-frost dates by region.
Nothing here needs an account. With one, the same data is applied to your own beds, your frost date and your journal.
Sowing calendar by climate
Sowing window, months and indoor/transplant timing for 16 well-known crops per climate type. "Months" are the calendar months the sowing window covers.
Temperate — four seasons, frost in winter - the classic vegetable garden
| Crop | Sowing window | Months | Start indoors | Transplant | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🎃 Acorn Squash | Start indoors in late winter; transplant after last frost | 4,5,6 | 3-4 weeks before last frost | After last frost in mid-May | Needs a long warm season to ripen and cure fruit.
USDA 6-8 |
| 🌸 African Marigold | mid Feb – mid Mar | 2,3 | 6 weeks before last frost | early Mar – late Mar | heat-tolerant: extend planting window
USDA 6a, 8a, 9b |
| 💠 Agapanthus | Plant out in late spring; divide in spring | 3,4,5,6 | n/a | May to June | Plant with the crown near the surface; pot-grown plants flower best slightly pot-bound.
USDA 8-9, hardy in mild areas |
| 🍃 Alchemilla | Sow or divide in spring or autumn | 3,4,5,9,10 | n/a | April to May | Self-seeds freely; deadhead to limit spread. Tolerates most soils and drought once established.
USDA 8-9 |
| 🥬 Alfalfa | early Jan – mid Feb | 1,2 | — | mid Feb – early Mar | frost-tolerant: sow earlier possible; heat-tolerant: extend planting window; best direct-seeded
USDA 9a |
| 🌰 Almond | mid Mar – late Apr | 3,4 | — | mid Mar – mid Apr | frost-tolerant: sow earlier possible; heat-tolerant: extend planting window
USDA 7a, 9a |
| 🌵 Aloe Vera | late Jan – late Feb | 1,2 | — | — | heat-tolerant: extend planting window
USDA 8a, 9a, 9b |
| 🌳 Angel's Trumpet | mid Jan – mid Feb | 1,2 | — | — | fall planting also suitable
USDA 9b |
| 🌿 Angelica | early Jan – mid Feb | 1,2 | mid Dec | mid Feb – early Mar | frost-tolerant: sow earlier possible; start indoors 8w before transplant
USDA 8b |
| 🌿 Anise | mid Mar – late Apr | 3,4 | — | mid Mar – mid Apr | —
USDA 6b, 9b |
| 🍎 Apple | mid Mar – late Apr | 3,4 | — | mid Mar – mid Apr | frost-tolerant: sow earlier possible; heat-tolerant: extend planting window
USDA 8a |
| 🌿 Apple Mint | mid Mar – late Apr | 3,4 | early Feb | mid Mar – mid Apr | frost-tolerant: sow earlier possible; heat-tolerant: extend planting window; start indoors 6w before TP
USDA 7a, 9b |
| 🍑 Apricot | mid Feb – late Mar | 2,3 | — | mid Feb – mid Mar | frost-tolerant: sow earlier possible; heat-tolerant: extend planting window
USDA 8b |
| 🫐 Aronia | Plant bare-root or potted stock in autumn or early spring | 3,4,10,11 | Not required for woody stock | Plant out while dormant | Plant dormant bare-root or potted stock in autumn or early spring. Water in and mulch; stake trees. Prefers acidic, moisture-retentive soil.
Zone 6-8 temperate; last frost mid-Apr |
| 🌰 Artichoke | mid Feb – late Mar | 2,3 | mid Dec | mid Feb – mid Mar | heat-tolerant: extend planting window; start indoors 8w before transplant
USDA 8b |
| 🥗 Arugula | early Jan – mid Feb | 1,2 | — | mid Feb – early Mar | frost-tolerant: sow earlier possible; best direct-seeded
USDA 8b |
Subtropical — hot summers, mild frost-free winters - the main season runs autumn to spring
| Crop | Sowing window | Months | Start indoors | Transplant | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🎃 Acorn Squash | Sow after last frost or as a fall crop | 3,4,9,10 | 4-6 weeks before planting | After frost in spring or fall | Avoid midsummer heat for best fruit set.
USDA 9-11 |
| 🌸 African Marigold | spring (Feb–Apr) | 2,3,4 | — | — | —
USDA 8-9 (mild winter) |
| 🥬 Alfalfa | Sep–Mar (fall–spring); summer dormant | 1,2,3,9,10,11,12 | — | — | fall–spring
USDA 8-9 (mild winter) |
| 🌰 Almond | Nov–Feb (winter; needs chill accumulation for fruit set) | 1,2,11,12 | — | — | winter; needs chill accumulation for fruit set; ⚠️ needs winter chill for fruit set
USDA 8-9 (mild winter) |
| 🌵 Aloe Vera | spring (Feb–Apr) | 2,3,4 | — | — | —
USDA 8-9 (mild winter) |
| 🌳 Angel's Trumpet | fall (Sep–Nov) or early spring (Feb–Mar) | 2,3,9,10,11 | — | — | —
USDA 8-9 (mild winter) |
| 🌿 Angelica | Sep–Mar (fall–spring); summer dormant | 1,2,3,9,10,11,12 | — | — | fall–spring
USDA 8-9 (mild winter) |
| 🌿 Anise | Sep–Mar (cool season); pause Jun–Aug | 1,2,3,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 | — | — | —
USDA 8-9 (mild winter) |
| 🍎 Apple | Nov–Feb (winter; needs chill accumulation for fruit set) | 1,2,11,12 | — | — | winter; needs chill accumulation for fruit set; ⚠️ needs winter chill for fruit set
USDA 8-9 (mild winter) |
| 🌿 Apple Mint | Sep–Mar (fall–spring); summer dormant | 1,2,3,9,10,11,12 | — | — | fall–spring
USDA 8-9 (mild winter) |
| 🍑 Apricot | Nov–Feb (winter; needs chill accumulation for fruit set) | 1,2,11,12 | — | — | winter; needs chill accumulation for fruit set; ⚠️ needs winter chill for fruit set
USDA 8-9 (mild winter) |
| 🫐 Aronia | Plant in the cool season | 1,2,3,10,11,12 | Not required | Cool moist season | Needs winter chill; plant in the cool season. Keep airflow good where summers are humid. Prefers acidic, moisture-retentive soil.
Zone 9-10; mild winter, hot summer |
| 🌰 Artichoke | Sep–Mar (cool season); pause Jun–Aug | 1,2,3,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 | — | — | —
USDA 8-9 (mild winter) |
| 🥗 Arugula | Sep–Mar (cool season); pause Jun–Aug | 1,2,3,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 | — | — | —
USDA 8-9 (mild winter) |
| 🎍 Asparagus | Sep–Mar (fall–spring); summer dormant | 1,2,3,9,10,11,12 | — | — | fall–spring
USDA 8-9 (mild winter) |
| 🌸 Astilbe | Sep–Apr (cool season); pause Jun–Aug | 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 | — | — | cool season preferred
USDA 8-9 (mild winter) |
Tropical — frost-free all year - grow in the cool/dry season and expect a summer pause
| Crop | Sowing window | Months | Start indoors | Transplant | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌸 African Marigold | year-round (avoid hottest months) | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 | — | — | —
USDA 10-13 (frost-free) |
| 🌶️ Aji Pepper | Oct–Mar (dry/cool season; avoid wet-season fungal pressure) | 1,2,3,10,11,12 | — | — | dry/cool season; avoid wet-season fungal pressure; dry-season planting best
USDA 10-13 (frost-free) |
| 🥬 Alfalfa | Not suitable for tropical lowlands | — | — | —
USDA 10-13 (frost-free) |
|
| 🌵 Aloe Vera | year-round (avoid hottest months) | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 | — | — | —
USDA 10-13 (frost-free) |
| 🌳 Angel's Trumpet | year-round (avoid hottest/driest months) | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 | — | — | year-round in frost-free zones
USDA 10-13 (frost-free) |
| 🌿 Angelica | Not suitable for tropical lowlands | — | — | —
USDA 10-13 (frost-free) |
|
| 🍎 Apple | Not suitable (requires 800-1200 chill hours; tropical only at elevation >1500m) | — | — | requires 800-1200 chill hours; tropical only at elevation >1500m; ⚠️ chill hours needed — fruit unlikely in lowland tropics
USDA 10-13 (frost-free) |
|
| 🍑 Apricot | Not suitable (requires 300-900 chill hours; low-chill varieties exist) | — | — | requires 300-900 chill hours; low-chill varieties exist; ⚠️ chill hours needed — fruit unlikely in lowland tropics
USDA 10-13 (frost-free) |
|
| ☕ Arabica Coffee | Year-round (best at monsoon onset; ensure drainage) | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 | — | — | best at monsoon onset; ensure drainage; 🟢 monsoon/rainfed OK
USDA 10-13 (frost-free) |
| 🌰 Artichoke | Sep–Feb (cool season; too hot/humid Mar–Aug) | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 | — | — | cool season; too hot/humid Mar–Aug
USDA 10-13 (frost-free) |
| 🥗 Arugula | Sep–Feb (cool season; too hot/humid Mar–Aug) | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 | — | — | cool season; too hot/humid Mar–Aug
USDA 10-13 (frost-free) |
| 🎍 Asparagus | Not suitable for tropical lowlands | — | — | —
USDA 10-13 (frost-free) |
|
| 🥑 Avocado | Year-round (best at rainy season onset; ensure good drainage) | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 | — | — | best at rainy season onset; ensure good drainage
USDA 10-13 (frost-free) |
| 🌸 Bachelor's Button | year-round (avoid hottest months) | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 | — | — | —
USDA 10-13 (frost-free) |
| 🍌 Banana | Year-round (rainy season planting; irrigate in dry season) | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 | — | — | rainy season planting; irrigate in dry season; 🟢 monsoon/rainfed OK
USDA 10-13 (frost-free) |
| 🌾 Barley | Not suitable for tropical lowlands | — | — | —
USDA 10-13 (frost-free) |
Arid and semi-arid — irrigation decides everything - two windows, autumn and early spring
| Crop | Sowing window | Months | Start indoors | Transplant | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌸 African Marigold | Sep–Nov (fall) and Feb–Mar (spring); 💧 irrigation required | 2,3,9,10,11 | — | — | 💧 irrigation required
USDA 8-11 (<500mm rainfall) |
| 🌶️ Aji Pepper | Feb–Apr (spring) and Sep–Oct (fall); avoid peak summer heat | 2,3,4,9,10 | — | — | 💧 irrigation required
USDA 8-11 (<500mm rainfall) |
| 🥬 Alfalfa | Sep–Mar (fall–spring) | 1,2,3,9,10,11,12 | — | — | 💧 irrigation required; drought-tolerant once established
USDA 8-11 (<500mm rainfall) |
| 🌰 Almond | Nov–Feb (winter) | 1,2,11,12 | — | — | 💧 irrigation required; ⚠️ low-chill varieties needed
USDA 8-11 (<500mm rainfall) |
| 🌵 Aloe Vera | Sep–Nov (fall) and Feb–Mar (spring); 💧 irrigation required | 2,3,9,10,11 | — | — | 💧 irrigation required
USDA 8-11 (<500mm rainfall) |
| 🌳 Angel's Trumpet | Oct–Feb (cool season); 💧 irrigation required | 1,2,10,11,12 | — | — | 💧 irrigation required
USDA 8-11 (<500mm rainfall) |
| 🌿 Angelica | Sep–Mar (fall–spring) | 1,2,3,9,10,11,12 | — | — | 💧 winter crop; irrigation required; summer dormant
USDA 8-11 (<500mm rainfall) |
| 🌿 Anise | Sep–Nov (fall) and Feb–Mar (spring); irrigation required | 2,3,9,10,11 | — | — | 💧 irrigation required
USDA 8-11 (<500mm rainfall) |
| 🍎 Apple | Nov–Feb (winter); requires irrigation + chill accumulation | 1,2,11,12 | — | — | ⚠️ needs winter chill for fruit set; 💧 irrigation required
USDA 8-11 (<500mm rainfall) |
| 🌿 Apple Mint | Sep–Mar (fall–spring) | 1,2,3,9,10,11,12 | — | — | 💧 winter crop; irrigation required; summer dormant
USDA 8-11 (<500mm rainfall) |
| 🍑 Apricot | Nov–Feb (winter); requires irrigation + chill accumulation | 1,2,11,12 | — | — | ⚠️ needs winter chill for fruit set; 💧 irrigation required
USDA 8-11 (<500mm rainfall) |
| 🌰 Artichoke | Sep–Nov (fall) and Feb–Mar (spring); irrigation required | 2,3,9,10,11 | — | — | 💧 irrigation required
USDA 8-11 (<500mm rainfall) |
| 🥗 Arugula | Sep–Nov (fall) and Feb–Mar (spring); irrigation required | 2,3,9,10,11 | — | — | 💧 irrigation required
USDA 8-11 (<500mm rainfall) |
| 🎍 Asparagus | Feb–Apr | 2,3,4 | — | — | 💧 perennial; irrigation for establishment
USDA 8-11 (<500mm rainfall) |
| 🌸 Astilbe | Oct–Feb (cool season); 💧 irrigation required | 1,2,10,11,12 | — | — | 💧 irrigation required
USDA 8-11 (<500mm rainfall) |
| 🌳 Atlas Cedar | Sep–Nov (fall) and Feb–Mar (spring); 💧 irrigation required | 2,3,9,10,11 | — | — | 💧 irrigation required
USDA 8-11 (<500mm rainfall) |
Sow relative to your last frost
The safest guide for a cold-climate garden: count from your last spring frost instead of memorising dates. A negative number under "sow outdoors" means the crop goes in before the frost date (frost-hardy crops such as peas, spinach and radish).
| Crop | Sow indoors (weeks before frost) | Sow outdoors (weeks after frost) | Days to harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌿 Basil | 4 | -4 | 68 |
| 🌰 Beetroot | n/a | -3 | 60 |
| 🥦 Broccoli | 6 | -14 | 78 |
| 🥕 Carrot | n/a | -10 | 68 |
| 🌿 Chives | 6 | -6 | 75 |
| 🥒 Cucumber | 3 | 2 | 62 |
| 🥬 Kale | 6 | -10 | 65 |
| 🥗 Lettuce | 4 | -14 | 58 |
| 🧅 Onion | 10 | -10 | 120 |
| 🌿 Parsley | 6 | -6 | 75 |
| 🫛 Pea | n/a | -14 | 62 |
| 🫑 Pepper | 8 | 3 | 70 |
| 🌶️ Radish | 6 | -12 | 46 |
| 🥬 Spinach | n/a | -10 | 42 |
| 🍅 Tomato | 6 | 1 | 70 |
| 🥒 Zucchini | 3 | 2 | 52 |
Last spring frost and first autumn frost by region
Know your two dates and everything above becomes a real calendar. The general rule: sow cold-hardy crops (spinach, radish, peas, lettuce) two to four weeks before the spring date, and warm-season crops (tomato, pepper, cucumber, zucchini) only after it, once nights stay above 10 °C.
| Region | ZIP prefix | Last spring frost | First autumn frost | Growing days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | 1xx | 2026-05-10 | 2026-10-05 | 148 |
| Southeast | 3xx | 2026-03-25 | 2026-11-10 | 230 |
| Midwest | 6xx | 2026-05-01 | 2026-10-01 | 153 |
| West Coast | 9xx | 2026-04-05 | 2026-11-20 | 229 |
| Serbia — Zone 7b (Salaš) | 11xx | 2026-04-15 | 2026-10-25 | 193 |
| Serbia — Zone 7b (Salaš) | 21xx | 2026-04-15 | 2026-10-25 | 193 |
| Serbia — Zone 7b (Salaš) | 23xx | 2026-04-15 | 2026-10-25 | 193 |
| Serbia — Zone 7b (Salaš) | 24xx | 2026-04-15 | 2026-10-25 | 193 |
| Serbia — Zone 7b (Salaš) | 25xx | 2026-04-15 | 2026-10-25 | 193 |
| Serbia — Zone 7b (Salaš) | 26xx | 2026-04-15 | 2026-10-25 | 193 |
Turn these lists into a plan for your own beds
Add your garden, set your last-frost date and drop crops into beds: HobbyPlot works out the sowing, transplanting and harvest windows for each one, keeps them in a calendar and reminds you when the next job is due. Free to start.