USDA Zone 3A
Extreme cold. Interior Alaska, northern Minnesota. Growing season around 100 days. Cold frames and season extension essential for most crops.
Temperature Range
What Does Zone 3A Mean?
USDA Hardiness Zone 3A means your area's average annual extreme minimum winter temperature falls between -40°F to -35°F (-40°C to -37°C). This is the coldest temperature you can typically expect in a normal winter, based on 30 years of climate data.
Your zone primarily determines which perennial plants (trees, shrubs, perennial flowers, and fruit bushes) can survive outdoors year-round. It's also strongly correlated with your frost dates, which are the foundation for calculating when to plant annual vegetables and flowers. Learn more about what hardiness zones mean.
Enter your zip code on our homepage tool to see personalized planting dates for all 50 plants based on your specific location within Zone 3A.
States in Zone 3A
These states contain areas classified as Zone 3A:
Best Plants for Zone 3A
These plants are well-suited to Zone 3A conditions. Click any plant for detailed growing information and state-specific planting dates.
Kale
The toughest green in the garden. Kale laughs at frost and actually tastes...
Root VegetableGarlic
Plant in fall, harvest in summer. Garlic is one of the most rewarding crops for...
Root VegetablePotatoes
Incredibly satisfying to grow. There's nothing quite like digging up your own...
Cool-Season VegetablePeas
One of the earliest crops you can plant. Kids love picking and eating them...
Root VegetableRadishes
The fastest vegetable in the garden — some varieties are ready in just 25 days....
Cool-Season VegetableSpinach
Fast from seed to salad. Spinach bolts in heat, so plant early in spring and...
Perennial VegetableRhubarb
Cold-climate perennial producing tart, red stalks for pies and sauces. Thrives...
BulbDaffodils
Deer-proof, squirrel-proof, and virtually indestructible. Daffodils naturalize...
Cool-Season VegetableLettuce
Fast-growing and forgiving. Plant in spring and fall for a nearly year-round...
Root VegetableBeets
Two crops in one — eat the roots and the greens. Beets are cold-hardy and...
Cool-Season VegetableBroccoli
A nutrition powerhouse that thrives in cool weather. Harvest the main head,...
Root VegetableCarrots
Patience is the secret ingredient. Carrots are slow to germinate but deliver...
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but choose ultra-short-season varieties (sub-60 days like Stupice, Glacier, or Sub Arctic Plenty) and start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost. Wall-o-Waters or plastic cloches are nearly essential — they create a warm microclimate that buys you 2-3 extra weeks. Expect to harvest before your first frost in early September.
Root crops and cold-hardy greens are your strongest performers. Potatoes, carrots, beets, kale, spinach, and peas thrive in your cool temperatures. Garlic planted in fall produces exceptional hardneck varieties thanks to the deep winter cold. The 16+ hours of summer daylight drive surprisingly fast growth during your compact season.