Plant guides
When to plant, how far apart, and what grows well together, for 55 vegetables, herbs and flowers. Every guide works out dates for your ZIP code.
Nightshades Solanaceae
Squash family Cucurbitaceae
- Cucumber Plant out 1–3 weeks after last frost
- Zucchini Plant out 1–3 weeks after last frost
- Yellow squash Plant out 1–3 weeks after last frost
- Winter squash Plant out 1–3 weeks after last frost
- Pumpkin Sow 1–3 weeks after last frost
- Cantaloupe Plant out 2–4 weeks after last frost
- Watermelon Plant out 2–4 weeks after last frost
Cabbage family Brassicaceae
- Broccoli Plant out 2–4 weeks before last frost
- Cauliflower Plant out up to 2 weeks before last frost
- Cabbage Plant out 2–4 weeks before last frost
- Kale Plant out 2–4 weeks before last frost
- Brussels sprouts Plant out 2–4 weeks before last frost
- Radish Sow from 5 weeks before to 2 weeks after last frost
- Turnip Sow 2–4 weeks before last frost
- Arugula Sow up to 6 weeks before last frost
- Bok choy Plant out up to 2 weeks before last frost
- Kohlrabi Plant out 2–4 weeks before last frost
Pea family Fabaceae
Daisy family Asteraceae
- Lettuce Plant out from 2 weeks before to 1 week after last frost
- Red leaf lettuce Plant out from 2 weeks before to 1 week after last frost
- Sunflower Sow 1–4 weeks after last frost
- Marigold Plant out 1–2 weeks after last frost
- Calendula Sow from 2 weeks before to 2 weeks after last frost
- Zinnia Sow 1–4 weeks after last frost
Beet family Amaranthaceae
Carrot family Apiaceae
- Carrot Sow from 3 weeks before to 2 weeks after last frost
- Parsnip Sow from 2 weeks before to 2 weeks after last frost
- Celery Plant out up to 2 weeks after last frost
- Parsley Plant out up to 2 weeks before last frost
- Cilantro Sow from 2 weeks before to 1 week after last frost
- Dill Sow up to 3 weeks after last frost
Onion family Amaryllidaceae
Mint family Lamiaceae
Grass family Poaceae
Rose family Rosaceae
Other families
More free garden tools
Plan your beds
- Garden planner
Draw your beds square by square and check every neighbor.
- Square foot gardening chart
How many of each plant fit in one square foot.
- Raised bed soil calculator
Cubic feet, cubic yards and bags for any bed.
- Three Sisters garden
Corn, beans and squash: layout, timing and what the research says.
When to plant
- Planting calendar
Sowing and planting dates for your ZIP code.
- Frost dates by ZIP code
Last spring and first fall frost, with the odds.
- Growing zone by ZIP code
Your USDA hardiness zone and what it does and doesn’t tell you.
- Seed starting calculator
When to start each seed indoors.
What grows together
- Companion planting chart
Good and bad neighbors, graded by evidence.