USDA Zone 4B
Cold but manageable winters. Much of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Vermont, northern Michigan. Good range of cold-hardy fruit trees and perennials.
Temperature Range
What Does Zone 4B Mean?
USDA Hardiness Zone 4B means your area's average annual extreme minimum winter temperature falls between -25°F to -20°F (-32°C to -29°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 4B.
States in Zone 4B
These states contain areas classified as Zone 4B:
Best Plants for Zone 4B
These plants are well-suited to Zone 4B conditions. Click any plant for detailed growing information and state-specific planting dates.
Potatoes
Incredibly satisfying to grow. There's nothing quite like digging up your own...
Root VegetableGarlic
Plant in fall, harvest in summer. Garlic is one of the most rewarding crops for...
Cool-Season VegetableKale
The toughest green in the garden. Kale laughs at frost and actually tastes...
Warm-Season VegetableBeans (Green/Snap)
Easy, productive, and they even improve your soil by fixing nitrogen. A perfect...
Root VegetableCarrots
Patience is the secret ingredient. Carrots are slow to germinate but deliver...
Cool-Season VegetableLettuce
Fast-growing and forgiving. Plant in spring and fall for a nearly year-round...
Cool-Season VegetableCabbage
A satisfying crop that stores well. Plant in spring or fall for crisp, dense...
Cool-Season VegetableBroccoli
A nutrition powerhouse that thrives in cool weather. Harvest the main head,...
Root VegetableBeets
Two crops in one — eat the roots and the greens. Beets are cold-hardy and...
Annual FlowerSunflowers
Few things bring more joy than a row of sunflowers turning their faces to the...
BulbCrocuses
Among the very first flowers of spring, crocuses push through snow to signal...
Cool-Season VegetablePeas
One of the earliest crops you can plant. Kids love picking and eating them...
Frequently Asked Questions
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost. Use black plastic mulch to warm soil before transplanting — it can raise soil temperature by 5-10°F. Row covers protect from late frosts and add warmth. Cold frames extend fall harvest by 4-6 weeks. Many Zone 4B gardeners get a full extra month of production with these tools.
Cold-hardy crops (peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes) can go out 3-4 weeks before your last frost — typically late April to mid-May depending on your specific location. Frost-sensitive crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) wait until at least 2 weeks after. Soil temperature matters more than air temperature — wait for 60°F soil for warm-season crops.