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Zone 3B Vegetable Planting Calendar
When can you plant in Zone 3B? In Zone 3B, outdoor sowing opens with cool-season crops like Lettuce and Spinach in April, and warm-season crops like Tomato follow after the ~May 25 last frost. The season runs about 113 frost-free days, until ~September 15. The calendar below scores all 35 crops month by month.
Scored per crop from your zone's frost dates, each crop's days-to-maturity, and typical soil temperatures — honestly, including when not to plant.
A zone caveat: USDA zones reflect winter lows, not summer heat — this calendar is a zone-level guide. For timing tuned to your exact zip code, sun, and soil, get your free AI garden plan.
- Last frost (50/50 date)
- ~May 25
- First frost (50/50 date)
- ~September 15
A single frost date is a coin flip dressed up as a fact: these are the 50/50 dates, and about half of years see frost past them. Across 4,330 NOAA stations, frost odds typically stay near 1 in 3 for about a week past the date and don't drop below 1 in 10 until roughly 16 days past it — cautious growers wait those two-plus weeks; gamblers plant on the date and keep row cover handy. The free AI plan reads the real percentile dates for your zip and lets you pick your risk.
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Plus a short what-to-plant-now note for Zone 3B each month.
| Crop | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cool-season crops | ||||||||||||
| Lettuce | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Spinach | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Kale | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Swiss Chard | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Arugula | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Carrot | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Radish | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Beet | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Broccoli | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Cabbage | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Cauliflower | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Peas | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Onion | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Potato | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Cilantro | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Parsley | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Fall-planted bulbs | ||||||||||||
| Garlic | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Risky — possible with care | Off-season — wait |
| Warm-season crops | ||||||||||||
| Tomato | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Pepper | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Risky — possible with care; Fits only with short-season varieties — choose the fastest days-to-maturity you can find. | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Eggplant | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Risky — possible with care; Fits only with short-season varieties — choose the fastest days-to-maturity you can find. | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Basil | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Zucchini | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Cucumber | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Bean | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Corn | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Risky — possible with care; Fits only with short-season varieties — choose the fastest days-to-maturity you can find. | Risky — possible with care; Fits only with short-season varieties — choose the fastest days-to-maturity you can find. | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Pumpkin | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Sunflower | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Heat lovers | ||||||||||||
| Okra | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Sweet Potato | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Watermelon | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Cantaloupe | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Perennial herbs | ||||||||||||
| Rosemary | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Thyme | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Oregano | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
| Chives | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Good — plant now | Off-season — wait | Off-season — wait |
When to Start Seeds Indoors vs. Direct Sow in Zone 3B
In Zone 3B, start Onion, Rosemary, Eggplant and other transplants indoors 5–10 weeks before your ~May 25 last frost, then set them out once it passes. Arugula, Bean, Beet and the other direct-sow crops go straight into the bed. Exact indoor start dates for every crop are below.
| Crop | How to start | Start seeds indoors |
|---|---|---|
| Onion | Start indoors, then transplantor plant sets for a shortcut | ~Mar 16 (10 wks before last frost) |
| Rosemary | Start indoors, then transplantpainfully slow from seed — a nursery plant is the honest shortcut | ~Mar 16 (10 wks before last frost) |
| Eggplant | Start indoors, then transplant | ~Mar 30 (8 wks before last frost) |
| Oregano | Start indoors, then transplant | ~Mar 30 (8 wks before last frost) |
| Pepper | Start indoors, then transplant | ~Mar 30 (8 wks before last frost) |
| Thyme | Start indoors, then transplant | ~Mar 30 (8 wks before last frost) |
| Sweet Potato | Start indoors, then transplantgrown from slips (sprouted tubers), not seed | ~Apr 13 (6 wks before last frost) |
| Tomato | Start indoors, then transplant | ~Apr 13 (6 wks before last frost) |
| Broccoli | Start indoors, then transplant | ~Apr 20 (5 wks before last frost) |
| Cabbage | Start indoors, then transplant | ~Apr 20 (5 wks before last frost) |
| Cauliflower | Start indoors, then transplant | ~Apr 20 (5 wks before last frost) |
| Chives | Either works | ~Mar 30 (8 wks before last frost) |
| Parsley | Either worksgermination takes 2–3 weeks — be patient | ~Mar 30 (8 wks before last frost) |
| Kale | Either works | ~Apr 20 (5 wks before last frost) |
| Basil | Either works | ~Apr 27 (4 wks before last frost) |
| Lettuce | Either works | ~Apr 27 (4 wks before last frost) |
| Okra | Either works | ~Apr 27 (4 wks before last frost) |
| Swiss Chard | Either works | ~Apr 27 (4 wks before last frost) |
| Cantaloupe | Either worksdirect sowing is simpler — cucurbits hate root disturbance | ~May 4 (3 wks before last frost) |
| Cucumber | Either worksdirect sowing is simpler — cucurbits hate root disturbance | ~May 4 (3 wks before last frost) |
| Pumpkin | Either worksdirect sowing is simpler — cucurbits hate root disturbance | ~May 4 (3 wks before last frost) |
| Watermelon | Either worksdirect sowing is simpler — cucurbits hate root disturbance | ~May 4 (3 wks before last frost) |
| Zucchini | Either worksdirect sowing is simpler — cucurbits hate root disturbance | ~May 4 (3 wks before last frost) |
| Arugula | Direct sow in the bed | — |
| Bean | Direct sow in the bedrots in cold, wet soil — wait for warmth | — |
| Beet | Direct sow in the bed | — |
| Carrot | Direct sow in the bedtaproot — never transplants well | — |
| Cilantro | Direct sow in the bedtaproot + quick to bolt — sow in place | — |
| Corn | Direct sow in the bed | — |
| Garlic | Direct sow in the bedplant cloves in fall | — |
| Peas | Direct sow in the bed | — |
| Potato | Direct sow in the bedfrom seed potatoes, not seed | — |
| Radish | Direct sow in the bed | — |
| Spinach | Direct sow in the bedresents transplanting — sow where it grows | — |
| Sunflower | Direct sow in the bedtaproot — sow in place | — |
Planting a fall garden? Count the indoor weeks back from your transplant date instead of the spring frost — the free AI plan's prep runway computes that per plant, including hardening-off days.
Zone 3B Planting FAQ
When is the last frost in Zone 3B?
Around May 25 — and that's the 50/50 date, not a guarantee: about half of years see frost after it. Cautious growers wait roughly two extra weeks; gamblers plant on the date and keep row cover handy.
When is the first fall frost in Zone 3B?
Around September 15 on average. Count backward from it when planning fall crops: a 70-day crop needs to be in the ground at least 10 weeks earlier, plus a buffer for shortening days.
When should I start seeds indoors in Zone 3B?
It depends on the crop's lead time: peppers ~Mar 30, tomatos ~Apr 13, broccolis ~Apr 20 — generally 5–10 weeks before the ~May 25 last frost. The seed-starting table on this page lists every crop.
How long is the growing season in Zone 3B?
Roughly 113 frost-free days, from about May 25 to September 15. Crops whose days-to-maturity fit comfortably inside that window are the reliable ones — the calendar above scores exactly that.
What vegetables can you grow in Zone 3B?
This calendar tracks 35 crops for Zone 3B — Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Swiss Chard, and more — with honest month-by-month verdicts including when NOT to plant. For a layout tuned to your exact zip code and bed size, the free AI plan does the placing for you.
Get this calendar in your inbox
Plus a short what-to-plant-now note for Zone 3B each month.