Planting Date Finder
Enter your zip code and pick a specific plant to see its exact planting dates for your area.
Want to see dates for every plant at once? Use our What Can I Grow tool to see all 50 plants for your zip code on one page.
Frequently Asked Questions
We start with your location's average last spring frost date and first fall frost date, sourced from NOAA's 30-year Climate Normals database. Then we apply each plant's specific requirements to produce personalized planting dates for your zone.
Direct sowing means planting seeds directly into the garden soil where they'll grow. Transplanting means starting seeds indoors (or buying seedlings) and then moving them outside once conditions are right. Some plants like carrots and beans prefer direct sowing because they don't like having their roots disturbed. Others like tomatoes and peppers benefit from an indoor head start.
No. They're based on historical averages, not predictions. Your actual last frost could be earlier or later than the average date in any given year. We recommend using these dates as a guide and paying attention to your local weather forecast, especially in spring.