Zone 5b Frost Dates & Planting Calendar

USDA Zone 5b has average coldest-winter lows of −15°F to −10°F. Across the 248 cities we track in this zone, the typical last spring frost is around April 29 and the typical first fall frost around October 14.

Winter low −15°F to −10°F

Typical last frost April 29

Typical first frost October 14

Cities 248

Hardiness zones describe winter cold, not frost timing (why that matters). For dates specific to your town, look up your ZIP code.

Zone 5b Planting Calendar

Vegetables
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Tomato	Mar 4 – Mar 18	—	May 6 – May 13	—	60–85 days	Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Pepper	Feb 18 – Mar 4	—	May 6 – May 20	—	60–90 days	Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.
Eggplant	Feb 18 – Mar 4	—	May 13 – May 20	—	65–85 days	Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.
Cucumber	Apr 1 – Apr 8	May 6 – May 13	May 6 – May 13	—	50–65 days	Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm.
Zucchini	Apr 8 – Apr 15	May 6 – May 20	May 6 – May 13	—	45–55 days	Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.
Winter Squash	Apr 1 – Apr 8	May 6 – May 20	May 6 – May 13	—	80–110 days	Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.
Pumpkin	—	May 6 – May 20	—	—	90–120 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it.
Watermelon	Apr 1 – Apr 8	—	May 13 – May 20	—	70–90 days	Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.
Cantaloupe	Apr 1 – Apr 8	—	May 13 – May 20	—	70–90 days	Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.
Corn	—	Apr 29 – May 13	—	—	60–100 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks.
Green Bean	—	Apr 29 – May 13	—	—	50–65 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush.
Pea	—	Mar 18 – Apr 1	—	—	55–70 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Lettuce	—	Apr 1 – Apr 15	—	Aug 19 – Sep 2	45–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts.
Spinach	—	Mar 18 – Apr 1	—	Aug 19 – Sep 2	40–50 days	Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Kale	—	Apr 1 – Apr 15	—	Aug 5 – Aug 19	50–65 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants.
Arugula	—	Apr 1 – Apr 15	—	Sep 2 – Sep 9	30–40 days	Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks.
Swiss Chard	—	Apr 8 – Apr 22	—	—	50–60 days	Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too.
Broccoli	Mar 11 – Mar 25	—	Apr 8 – Apr 15	Aug 12 – Aug 19	55–80 days	Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost).
Cauliflower	Mar 11 – Mar 25	—	Apr 15 – Apr 22	Aug 5 – Aug 12	55–85 days	Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost.
Cabbage	Mar 11 – Mar 25	—	Apr 1 – Apr 15	Aug 5 – Aug 19	60–100 days	Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Brussels Sprouts	Mar 11 – Mar 25	—	Apr 8 – Apr 22	—	90–110 days	Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost.
Carrot	—	Apr 1 – Apr 15	—	Jul 22 – Aug 5	60–80 days	Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Beet	—	Apr 1 – Apr 15	—	Aug 5 – Aug 19	50–65 days	Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost.
Radish	—	Mar 25 – Apr 8	—	Sep 2 – Sep 16	22–30 days	Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Turnip	—	Apr 1 – Apr 15	—	Aug 5 – Aug 19	40–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Onion	Feb 18 – Mar 4	—	Apr 1 – Apr 15	—	90–120 days	Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings.
Garlic	—	—	—	Sep 16 – Sep 30	240–270 days	Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates.
Potato	—	Apr 1 – Apr 15	—	—	70–120 days	Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated.
Sweet Potato	—	—	May 13 – May 27	—	90–120 days	Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive.
Asparagus	—	—	Apr 1 – Apr 15	—	730–1095 days	Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production.

Herbs
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Basil	Mar 18 – Mar 25	—	May 6 – May 13	—	50–70 days	Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm.
Cilantro	—	Apr 8 – Apr 22	—	Aug 19 – Sep 2	45–70 days	Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring.
Parsley	Mar 4 – Mar 18	—	Apr 15 – Apr 22	—	70–90 days	Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant).
Dill	—	Apr 8 – Apr 22	—	—	40–60 days	Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer.
Oregano	Mar 4 – Mar 18	—	Apr 29 – May 6	—	80–90 days	Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date.
Thyme	Mar 4 – Mar 18	—	Apr 29 – May 6	—	85–95 days	Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost.

Flowers
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Sunflower	—	May 6 – May 20	—	—	70–100 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting.
Zinnia	Apr 1 – Apr 8	May 6 – May 20	May 6 – May 13	—	60–70 days	Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms.
Marigold	Mar 18 – Apr 1	—	May 6 – May 13	—	45–60 days	Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed.
Cosmos	Apr 1 – Apr 8	May 6 – May 20	May 6 – May 13	—	60–90 days	Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.
Nasturtium	—	May 6 – May 20	—	—	50–65 days	Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Dahlia	—	—	May 6 – May 20	—	90–120 days	Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive.

Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.

Cities in Zone 5b

City	Last frost	First frost
Anchorage, AK	May 1	Sep 29
Des Moines, IA	Apr 18	Oct 20
Aurora, IL	Apr 19	Oct 23
Fort Collins, CO	May 2	Oct 7
Rockford, IL	Apr 24	Oct 17
Naperville, IL	Apr 28	Oct 16
Cedar Rapids, IA	Apr 28	Oct 12
Elgin, IL	Apr 26	Oct 18
Green Bay, WI	May 7	Oct 9
Davenport, IA	Apr 19	Oct 22
Longmont, CO	May 7	Oct 5
Loveland, CO	May 10	Oct 1
Schaumburg, IL	Apr 30	Oct 13
Iowa City, IA	Apr 21	Oct 18
Appleton, WI	May 4	Oct 6
Rapid City, SD	May 3	Oct 8
Waukesha, WI	May 1	Oct 13
Missoula, MT	May 10	Oct 1
Palatine, IL	Apr 25	Oct 19
Oshkosh, WI	Apr 24	Oct 20
Cheyenne, WY	May 14	Oct 1
Ames, IA	Apr 26	Oct 8
Janesville, WI	Apr 26	Oct 15
West Des Moines, IA	Apr 18	Oct 20
Council Bluffs, IA	Apr 18	Oct 21
Utica, NY	May 1	Oct 13
West Allis, WI	Apr 26	Oct 22
Idaho Falls, ID	May 9	Oct 1
Clay, NY	May 4	Oct 11
Ankeny, IA	Apr 23	Oct 15
Castle Rock, CO	May 9	Oct 2
Bellevue, NE	Apr 17	Oct 19
Wheaton, IL	Apr 28	Oct 16
Hoffman Estates, IL	Apr 30	Oct 13
Grand Island, NE	Apr 23	Oct 15
Parker, CO	May 9	Oct 3
Wauwatosa, WI	Apr 26	Oct 18
Urbandale, IA	Apr 18	Oct 20
Concord, NH	May 8	Oct 3
Pittsfield, MA	May 5	Oct 5

States with Zone 5b cities

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the temperature range for Zone 5b?

Zone 5b is defined by an average annual extreme minimum winter temperature of −15°F to −10°F (USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map).

When is the last frost in Zone 5b?

Typically around April 29, though it varies by location. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not frost timing, so two places in the same zone can have last frosts weeks apart — check your city's page for local dates.

When is the first frost in Zone 5b?

Typically around October 14 across the cities we track in Zone 5b.

Neighboring zones: Zone 5a · Zone 6a · All zones