FrostCal

Zone 7b Frost Dates & Planting Calendar

USDA Zone 7b has average coldest-winter lows of 5°F to 10°F. Across the 635 cities we track in this zone, the typical last spring frost is around April 5 and the typical first fall frost around November 4.

Winter low 5°F to 10°F
Typical last frost April 5
Typical first frost November 4
Cities 635

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

Zone 7b Planting Calendar

Vegetables
CropStart indoorsDirect sowTransplantFall plantingMaturityNotes
Tomato Feb 8 – Feb 22 — Apr 12 – Apr 19 — 60–85 days Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Pepper Jan 25 – Feb 8 — Apr 12 – Apr 26 — 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 Jan 25 – Feb 8 — Apr 19 – Apr 26 — 65–85 days Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.
Cucumber Mar 8 – Mar 15 Apr 12 – Apr 19 Apr 12 – Apr 19 — 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 Mar 15 – Mar 22 Apr 12 – Apr 26 Apr 12 – Apr 19 — 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 Mar 8 – Mar 15 Apr 12 – Apr 26 Apr 12 – Apr 19 — 80–110 days Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.
Pumpkin — Apr 12 – Apr 26 — — 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 Mar 8 – Mar 15 — Apr 19 – Apr 26 — 70–90 days Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.
Cantaloupe Mar 8 – Mar 15 — Apr 19 – Apr 26 — 70–90 days Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.
Corn — Apr 5 – Apr 19 — — 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 5 – Apr 19 — — 50–65 days Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush.
Pea — Feb 22 – Mar 8 — — 55–70 days Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Lettuce — Mar 8 – Mar 22 — Sep 9 – Sep 23 45–60 days Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts.
Spinach — Feb 22 – Mar 8 — Sep 9 – Sep 23 40–50 days Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Kale — Mar 8 – Mar 22 — Aug 26 – Sep 9 50–65 days Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants.
Arugula — Mar 8 – Mar 22 — Sep 23 – Sep 30 30–40 days Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks.
Swiss Chard — Mar 15 – Mar 29 — — 50–60 days Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too.
Broccoli Feb 15 – Mar 1 — Mar 15 – Mar 22 Sep 2 – Sep 9 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 Feb 15 – Mar 1 — Mar 22 – Mar 29 Aug 26 – Sep 2 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 Feb 15 – Mar 1 — Mar 8 – Mar 22 Aug 26 – Sep 9 60–100 days Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Brussels Sprouts Feb 15 – Mar 1 — Mar 15 – Mar 29 — 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 — Mar 8 – Mar 22 — Aug 12 – Aug 26 60–80 days Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Beet — Mar 8 – Mar 22 — Aug 26 – Sep 9 50–65 days Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost.
Radish — Mar 1 – Mar 15 — Sep 23 – Oct 7 22–30 days Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Turnip — Mar 8 – Mar 22 — Aug 26 – Sep 9 40–60 days Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Onion Jan 25 – Feb 8 — Mar 8 – Mar 22 — 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 — — — Oct 7 – Oct 21 240–270 days Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates.
Potato — Mar 8 – Mar 22 — — 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 — — Apr 19 – May 3 — 90–120 days Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive.
Asparagus — — Mar 8 – Mar 22 — 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
CropStart indoorsDirect sowTransplantFall plantingMaturityNotes
Basil Feb 22 – Mar 1 — Apr 12 – Apr 19 — 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 — Mar 15 – Mar 29 — Sep 9 – Sep 23 45–70 days Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring.
Parsley Feb 8 – Feb 22 — Mar 22 – Mar 29 — 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 — Mar 15 – Mar 29 — — 40–60 days Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer.
Oregano Feb 8 – Feb 22 — Apr 5 – Apr 12 — 80–90 days Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date.
Thyme Feb 8 – Feb 22 — Apr 5 – Apr 12 — 85–95 days Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost.
Flowers
CropStart indoorsDirect sowTransplantFall plantingMaturityNotes
Sunflower — Apr 12 – Apr 26 — — 70–100 days Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting.
Zinnia Mar 8 – Mar 15 Apr 12 – Apr 26 Apr 12 – Apr 19 — 60–70 days Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms.
Marigold Feb 22 – Mar 8 — Apr 12 – Apr 19 — 45–60 days Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed.
Cosmos Mar 8 – Mar 15 Apr 12 – Apr 26 Apr 12 – Apr 19 — 60–90 days Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.
Nasturtium — Apr 12 – Apr 26 — — 50–65 days Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Dahlia — — Apr 12 – Apr 26 — 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 7b

CityLast frostFirst frost
New York City, NYMar 30Nov 20
Brooklyn, NYApr 1Nov 19
Queens, NYApr 2Nov 14
Philadelphia, PAMar 30Nov 17
Manhattan, NYMar 30Nov 20
The Bronx, NYApr 1Nov 16
Oklahoma City, OKApr 4Nov 2
Albuquerque, NMApr 6Nov 3
Staten Island, NYApr 2Nov 10
Newark, NJApr 4Nov 6
Jersey City, NJApr 4Nov 6
Reno, NVApr 28Oct 27
Lubbock, TXMar 24Nov 11
Tri-Cities, WAApr 27Oct 11
Richmond, VAApr 3Nov 4
Jamaica, NYApr 2Nov 14
Salt Lake City, UTMar 31Nov 8
Arlington, VAApr 9Oct 31
Yonkers, NYApr 20Oct 26
Knoxville, TNApr 11Oct 28
Clarksville, TNApr 3Nov 1
Murfreesboro, TNApr 9Oct 27
Astoria, NYMar 30Nov 20
West Valley City, UTApr 8Oct 31
Elizabeth, NJApr 2Nov 10
Norman, OKMar 31Nov 5
Elmhurst, NYMar 26Nov 25
West Jordan, UTApr 29Oct 22
Corona, NYMar 26Nov 25
Broken Arrow, OKApr 1Nov 1
Roanoke, VAApr 3Nov 1
Columbia, MDApr 10Oct 31
Richmond Hill, NYApr 2Nov 14
Lawton, OKApr 1Nov 5
Asheville, NCApr 6Oct 31
Edmond, OKApr 2Nov 5
Rio Rancho, NMApr 8Nov 1
Enchanted Hills, NMApr 16Oct 23
Sandy, UTApr 29Oct 22
Germantown, MDApr 14Oct 29

States with Zone 7b cities

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the temperature range for Zone 7b?

Zone 7b is defined by an average annual extreme minimum winter temperature of 5°F to 10°F (USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map).

When is the last frost in Zone 7b?

Typically around April 5, 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 7b?

Typically around November 4 across the cities we track in Zone 7b.

Neighboring zones: Zone 7a · Zone 8a · All zones