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What to Plant in Zone 5
Moderate cold winters, 5+ month growing season. Central U.S., southern New England, Pacific Northwest interior.
Min Winter Temp
-20°F to -10°F
Growing Season
20 weeks
Vegetables You Can Grow
35
Zone 5 Growing Tips
- •Most vegetables grow well in Zone 5 — this is a very productive gardening zone.
- •Sweet potatoes and long-season melons are possible with black plastic mulch to warm soil.
- •Fall gardening is underrated: plant brassicas and root crops in July for October harvest.
- •Perennial herbs (thyme, sage, chives) overwinter reliably with mulch protection.
Vegetables for Zone 5
🥬 Leafy Greens
| Vegetable | Days to Harvest | Spacing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥬 Lettuce | 30-60 | 6" apart | Succession plant every 2 weeks |
| 🥬 Spinach | 37-45 | 4" apart | Prefers cool weather, bolts in heat |
| 🥬 Swiss Chard | 50-60 | 12" apart | Cut-and-come-again harvest |
| 🥬 Arugula | 21-40 | 4" apart | Fast grower, succession plant |
🥦 Brassicas
| Vegetable | Days to Harvest | Spacing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥬 Kale | 55-75 | 18" apart | Frost improves flavor |
| 🥦 Broccoli | 60-90 | 18" apart | Harvest side shoots after main head |
| 🥬 Cabbage | 70-100 | 18" apart | Start indoors for spring crop |
| 🥦 Cauliflower | 55-80 | 18" apart | Blanch heads by tying leaves |
| 🥬 Brussels Sprouts | 90-120 | 24" apart | Frost sweetens the sprouts |
🍅 Fruiting
| Vegetable | Days to Harvest | Spacing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🍅 Tomato | 60-85 | 24" apart | Stake or cage for support |
| 🌶️ Pepper | 60-90 | 18" apart | Needs warm soil (65°F+) |
| 🥒 Cucumber | 50-70 | 12" apart | Trellis for space saving |
| 🥒 Zucchini | 45-60 | 36" apart | Very productive, harvest young |
| 🎃 Squash (Winter) | 80-110 | 36" apart | Needs lots of space |
| 🍆 Eggplant | 65-80 | 24" apart | Needs warm soil (70°F+) |
| 🍉 Watermelon | 70-90 | 60" apart | Needs long warm season |
| 🎃 Pumpkin | 90-120 | 60" apart | Count back from desired harvest |
| 🌽 Sweet Corn | 60-90 | 12" apart | Plant in blocks for pollination |
🥕 Root Vegetables
| Vegetable | Days to Harvest | Spacing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥕 Carrot | 60-80 | 2" apart | Thin seedlings to 2 inches apart |
| 🟣 Beet | 50-65 | 4" apart | Soak seeds 24hr before planting |
| 🔴 Radish | 22-30 | 2" apart | Fastest vegetable to harvest |
| 🥔 Potato | 70-120 | 12" apart | Hill soil as plants grow |
| 🍠 Sweet Potato | 90-120 | 12" apart | Plant slips, not seeds |
| 🟣 Turnip | 40-60 | 4" apart | Great fall crop |
| 🥕 Parsnip | 100-130 | 4" apart | Slow to germinate, be patient |
🫘 Legumes
| Vegetable | Days to Harvest | Spacing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🫘 Green Bean (Bush) | 50-60 | 4" apart | Don't soak seeds before planting |
| 🫘 Green Bean (Pole) | 60-70 | 6" apart | Provide trellis or poles |
| 🟢 Pea | 55-70 | 3" apart | Likes cool weather, inoculate seeds |
🧅 Alliums
| Vegetable | Days to Harvest | Spacing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🧅 Onion | 90-120 | 4" apart | Match day-length variety to latitude |
| 🧄 Garlic | 90-150 | 6" apart | Spring-planted: 90-150 days. Fall planting preferred for larger bulbs. |
| 🧅 Leek | 100-130 | 6" apart | Blanch stems by hilling soil |
🌿 Herbs
| Vegetable | Days to Harvest | Spacing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌿 Basil | 50-75 | 12" apart | Pinch flowers to extend harvest |
| 🌿 Cilantro | 45-70 | 4" apart | Bolts in heat, succession plant |
| 🌿 Dill | 40-60 | 6" apart | Self-seeds freely |
| 🌿 Parsley | 70-90 | 8" apart | Slow to germinate (2-3 weeks) |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Zone 5 supports 35 common vegetables. Nearly all standard garden vegetables grow well, including Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Swiss Chard, Arugula, and more. See the full list above.