Zones

Zone 5b planting guide

Upper Midwest and high plains. Cool springs. Warm crops wait for the soil, not the date.

Last spring frost

Apr 22

First fall frost

Oct 12

Winter low

−15 to −10°F

Nothing urgent this week in this zone. Use the calendar for the year view, or browse crops to plan.

Crops for this zone

• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Lettuce
• Basil
• Zucchini
• Beans
• Kale
• Spinach
• Radish
• Carrots
• Peas
• Cilantro
• Cucumber
• Sunflower
• Zinnia
• Garlic
• Arugula
• Broccoli
• Swiss chard
• Beets
• Parsley
• Dill
• Marigold
• Winter squash
• Onions
• Potatoes

Cities in Zone 5b

• Milwaukee, WI
• Omaha, NE
• Des Moines, IA
• Madison, WI

Year at a glance

1. January

   Rest. Inventory leftover seed. Do not buy 40 tomato varieties.

2. February

   Start peppers indoors. Order the last of the seed. Do not sow outdoors.

3. March

   Start tomatoes indoors. Cool crops can be sown under cover or in a cold frame.

4. April

   Typical last-frost month. Harden off. Direct-sow radish, lettuce, peas if you have not.

5. May

   Warm soil. Beans, squash, basil, zinnias, cucumbers. Transplant tomatoes.

6. June

   Tend and harvest. A second sowing of beans if the math works. Plan the fall bed.

7. July

   Tend and harvest. A second sowing of beans if the math works. Plan the fall bed.

8. August

   Fall greens in now if you have not. Count days. Skip new long-season fruit.

9. September

   Last radish and spinach. Prep garlic ground. Harvest the tender things.

10. October

    Typical first-frost month. Plant garlic. Mulch. Take notes while you remember the year.

11. November · now

    Plan, order, or rest — match the frost dates at the top of this page.

12. December

    Rest. Inventory leftover seed. Do not buy 40 tomato varieties.

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