Planting Date Calculator
Enter your ZIP code to get personalized planting dates for 35+ vegetables based on your USDA hardiness zone and local frost dates.
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Common questions
Most seeds should be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant benefit from an early start (8 to 10 weeks before last frost), while cucumbers and squash only need 3 to 4 weeks. Check the indoor start dates in our calculator above for timing specific to your ZIP code and frost dates.
How This Calculator Works
Planting dates are calculated relative to your local last frost date, which we determine using your USDA hardiness zone. We look up your zone via the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map API (phzmapi.org), then cross-reference it with 30-year average frost date normals from NOAA. Each vegetable has a planting window defined as weeks before or after the last frost. For example, tomatoes are typically transplanted 1-2 weeks after the last frost, while peas can be direct-sown 4-6 weeks before it.
Making the Most of Your Growing Season
- Start warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant) indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date to get a head start. Our schedule shows indoor start dates when applicable.
- Succession plant quick-maturing crops like lettuce, radishes, and beans every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvests through the season.
- Your growing season length determines which varieties you can grow. Short-season gardeners (under 120 days) should choose “early” or “short-season” varieties of tomatoes, melons, and squash.
- Once you know your planting dates, check the seed spacing calculator to plan how many plants fit in your beds, and use the companion planting checker to pair crops that help each other thrive.
Try Our Other Calculators
Quick answer▾
Your planting dates depend on your USDA hardiness zone and local last frost date. Most vegetables should be started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, while cold-hardy crops like peas, spinach, and kale can be direct-sown 4-6 weeks before. Enter your ZIP code below for personalized dates.
Data last updated: March 2026