USDA Zone 5a Planting Calendar (2026)
Zone 5a (-20 to -15°F) has an average last spring frost on Apr 30 and first fall frost on Oct 5 — about 158 growing days. Typical areas: Chicago IL, Des Moines IA.
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Sow / Transplant | Harvest From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beet | — | Apr 2 | May 27 |
| 🥦 Broccoli | Mar 26 | Apr 16 | Jun 20 |
| 🫘 Bush Beans | — | May 7 | Jul 1 |
| 🥬 Cabbage | Mar 19 | Apr 16 | Jul 5 |
| 🥕 Carrot | — | Apr 9 | Jun 18 |
| 🥦 Cauliflower | Mar 19 | Apr 16 | Jun 30 |
| 🌽 Corn | — | May 14 | Aug 2 |
| 🥒 Cucumber | Apr 9 | May 14 | Jul 8 |
| 🧄 Garlic | — | Oct 15 | Jun 12 |
| 🥬 Kale | Mar 26 | Apr 9 | Jun 3 |
| 🥬 Lettuce | Apr 2 | Apr 9 | May 24 |
| 🧅 Onion | Feb 19 | Apr 2 | Jul 11 |
| 🟢 Peas | — | Mar 19 | May 18 |
| 🫑 Pepper | Mar 5 | May 14 | Jul 23 |
| 🥔 Potato | — | Apr 16 | Jul 15 |
| 🌶️ Radish | — | Apr 2 | Apr 30 |
| 🍃 Spinach | — | Mar 26 | May 5 |
| 🎃 Summer Squash | Apr 9 | May 7 | Jun 26 |
| 🍅 Tomato | Mar 19 | May 7 | Jul 21 |
| 🥒 Zucchini | Apr 9 | May 7 | Jun 26 |