Zone 5b planting schedule
Zone 5b covers places where the coldest night of an average winter falls between -15 to -10 °F. Here is what that means for frost dates and planting, month by month.
- Average winter low
- -15 to -10 °F
- Typical first frost
- Oct 16
- Last frost, most towns
- Apr 23 to May 3
- Frost-free season
- about 172 days
Middle values among the 198 towns of 10,000 people or more in zone 5b (our calculation, NOAA 1991-2020).
Where zone 5b is
Zone 5b towns are most common in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, New York, Indiana and New Hampshire. Its biggest cities include Omaha, NE; Lincoln, NE; Des Moines, IA; Aurora, IL; Naperville, IL. Because a zone is set only by winter cold, towns in it can have quite different springs: the middle half of them have their last frost between Apr 23 and May 3. Use your own town's dates when you can.
| City | Last frost | First frost | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE | Apr 16 | Oct 18 | 183 d |
| Lincoln, NE | Apr 24 | Oct 13 | 171 d |
| Des Moines, IA | Apr 18 | Oct 20 | 184 d |
| Aurora, IL | Apr 19 | Oct 23 | 185 d |
| Naperville, IL | Apr 28 | Oct 16 | 169 d |
| Rockford, IL | Apr 24 | Oct 17 | 174 d |
| Elgin, IL | Apr 26 | Oct 18 | 174 d |
| Kenosha, WI | Apr 28 | Oct 19 | 174 d |
| Waukegan, IL | Apr 30 | Oct 21 | 173 d |
| Loveland, CO | May 10 | Oct 1 | 142 d |
| Rapid City, SD | May 3 | Oct 8 | 157 d |
| Flint, MI | May 6 | Oct 10 | 155 d |
Zone 5b planting calendar, month by month
Counted from the zone's typical frost dates. March is the busiest month for planting outside, with 33 crops going in. Each crop name links to its own page with the dates for your exact town.
| Month | Start indoors | Plant or sow outside | First harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Onions, Leeks | ||
| February | Peppers, Broccoli, Kale, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Celery, Eggplant, Parsley | ||
| March | Zinnias, Marigolds, Herbs, Tomatoes, Lettuce, Cucumbers, Zucchini (Summer Squash), Winter Squash, Pumpkins, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Swiss Chard, Okra, Basil | Strawberries, Wildflowers, Blueberries, Raspberries, Asparagus, Rhubarb, Lilies, Hostas, Roses, Herbs, Fruit Trees, Trees, Apple Trees, Cherry Trees, Hydrangeas, Potatoes, Onions, Peas, Broccoli, Lettuce, Carrots, Radishes, Beets, Spinach, Kale, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Collard Greens, Swiss Chard, Bok Choy, Turnips, Leeks | |
| April | Sunflowers, Dahlias, Gladiolus, Summer Bulbs, Zinnias, Marigolds, Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers, Zucchini (Summer Squash), Winter Squash, Cantaloupe, Sweet Corn, Green Beans, Cauliflower, Swiss Chard, Celery, Basil, Dill, Parsley | Radishes, Spinach, Turnips | |
| May | Winter Squash, Pumpkins, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Eggplant, Okra, Sweet Potatoes | Potatoes, Peas, Broccoli, Lettuce, Carrots, Beets, Kale, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collard Greens, Bok Choy, Basil | |
| June | Onions, Cucumbers, Zucchini (Summer Squash), Sweet Corn, Green Beans, Brussels Sprouts, Swiss Chard, Okra | ||
| July | Irises, Broccoli, Lettuce, Cucumbers, Zucchini (Summer Squash), Green Beans, Carrots, Radishes, Kale, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Collard Greens, Bok Choy, Turnips | Tomatoes, Peppers, Winter Squash, Pumpkins, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Leeks, Eggplant | |
| August | Strawberries, Wildflowers, Hostas, Herbs, Trees, Hydrangeas, Peas, Beets, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Arugula | Sweet Potatoes | |
| September | Daffodils, Tulips, Blueberries, Lilies, Peonies, Hyacinths, Crocus, Ornamental Alliums, Garlic, Shallots | ||
| October | Rhubarb, Fruit Trees, Apple Trees, Crape Myrtles | ||
| November | |||
| December |
Fall plantings are listed with the month they go in. Ranges for each crop are on its page.
What grows well in zone 5b
With a season of about 172 days, zone 5b favors crops that mature quickly or start indoors: lettuce, peas, potatoes, onions and short-season tomatoes. Long crops such as melons and sweet potatoes need a variety with fewer days to harvest and a warm spot.
Zone and frost dates: our own calculation from NOAA NCEI records (Global Summary of the Year, U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020); not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Crop timing: university extension guides, listed on each crop page.