Zone 5 - Planting Calendar

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5: January Planting Calendar

• Indoors:
  • Microgreens: Start growing microgreens like radish, arugula, and mustard for quick, nutritious harvests.
  • Herbs: Begin sowing seeds for herbs such as basil, oregano, and parsley indoors.
  • Vegetables: Start cool-season crops like lettuce, kale, and broccoli indoors.

• Organize and clean your gardening tools and supplies.
• Order seeds early to ensure you have everything you need for spring.
• Plan your garden layout and consider crop rotation to maintain soil health.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5: February Planting Calendar

• Indoors:
  • Vegetables: Start seeds for cool-season crops like cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts.
  • Edible Flowers: Sow seeds for pansies and violas indoors.
• Outdoors:
  • Wildflowers: If the ground is workable, you can scatter wildflower seeds that benefit from cold stratification.

• Test your soil and amend it with compost or organic matter.
• Start hardening off seedlings as the weather allows in preparation for transplanting.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5: March Planting Calendar

• Indoors:
  • Warm-season Vegetables: Start seeds for tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants indoors.
• Outdoors:
  • Vegetables: Direct sow cool-season crops like peas, spinach, and radishes as the soil becomes workable.
  • Herbs: Plant hardy herbs like parsley, chives, and thyme directly in the garden.

• Prepare garden beds by adding compost and other organic matter.
• Set up trellises and supports for climbing plants.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5: April Planting Calendar

• Outdoors:
  • Vegetables: Transplant cool-season crops like broccoli and cabbage, and direct sow beets, carrots, and lettuce.
  • Wildflowers: Plant seeds for sunflowers, zinnias, and cosmos.
  • Microgreens: Continue growing microgreens indoors or outdoors.

• Water newly planted seeds and seedlings regularly.
• Mulch around plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5: May Planting Calendar

• Outdoors:
  • Vegetables: Plant tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, and beans.
  • Herbs: Transplant herbs like basil, rosemary, and thyme outdoors.
  • Edible Flowers: Sow marigolds, nasturtiums, and calendula for a colorful and functional garden.

• Mulch garden beds to conserve moisture and control weeds.
• Install stakes or cages for tall plants like tomatoes and peppers.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5: June Planting Calendar

• Outdoors:
  • Vegetables: Direct sow summer crops like beans, corn, zucchini, and pumpkins.
  • Herbs: Continue planting herbs like dill, cilantro, and mint.
  • Microgreens: Grow microgreens outdoors for quick harvests.

• Water deeply and regularly, especially during dry spells.
• Fertilize plants as they begin to produce fruit.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5: July Planting Calendar

• Outdoors:
  • Vegetables: Plant late-season crops like carrots, beets, and kale.
  • Herbs: Sow heat-tolerant herbs like basil and thyme.
  • Edible Flowers: Continue planting heat-tolerant varieties like nasturtiums and marigolds.

• Mulch around plants to retain moisture and keep the soil cool.
• Harvest regularly to encourage continued production.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5: August Planting Calendar

• Outdoors:
  • Vegetables: Start planting fall crops like spinach, lettuce, and radishes.
  • Herbs: Plant cool-season herbs like parsley and cilantro.
  • Wildflowers: Sow late-blooming wildflowers to enjoy as summer fades.

• Continue watering and mulching to protect plants during hot weather.
• Prepare garden beds for fall planting by adding compost and organic matter.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5: September Planting Calendar

• Outdoors:
  • Vegetables: Plant cool-season crops like broccoli, cauliflower, and kale.
  • Herbs: Sow hardy herbs like chives, garlic, and sage.
  • Edible Flowers: Plant pansies and violas for a splash of fall color.

• Harvest late-season vegetables and preserve them for winter.
• Begin cleaning up garden beds and preparing them for winter.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5: October Planting Calendar

• Outdoors:
  • Vegetables: Plant garlic, onions, and shallots for overwintering.
  • Wildflowers: Sow wildflower seeds for early spring blooms.
  • Herbs: Transplant herbs like rosemary and thyme into containers for indoor growing.

• Mulch garden beds to protect plants from frost.
• Store garden tools and prepare them for winter.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5: November Planting Calendar

• Outdoors:
  • Vegetables: Continue planting garlic and onions if you haven't done so already.
  • Herbs: Move tender herbs indoors to protect them from frost.
  • Microgreens: Grow microgreens indoors for fresh greens throughout the winter.

• Protect tender plants with frost covers or mulch.
• Reflect on your gardening successes and challenges from the past year.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5: December Planting Calendar

• Indoors:
  • Microgreens: Continue growing microgreens indoors for fresh, nutritious greens.
  • Herbs: Grow herbs like parsley, mint, and chives indoors for winter cooking.

• Clean and store garden tools and equipment.
• Plan your garden for the upcoming year, considering new varieties and layouts.