Zone 7b planting schedule
Zone 7b covers places where the coldest night of an average winter falls between 5 to 10 °F. Here is what that means for frost dates and planting, month by month.
- Average winter low
- 5 to 10 °F
- Typical first frost
- Nov 2
- Last frost, most towns
- Apr 2 to Apr 9
- Frost-free season
- about 213 days
Middle values among the 261 towns of 10,000 people or more in zone 7b (our calculation, NOAA 1991-2020).
Where zone 7b is
Zone 7b towns are most common in New Jersey, Tennessee, Oklahoma, New York, North Carolina, Utah, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Its biggest cities include New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Oklahoma City, OK; Nashville, TN; Baltimore, MD. 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 2 and Apr 9. Use your own town's dates when you can.
| City | Last frost | First frost | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | Mar 30 | Nov 20 | 236 d |
| Philadelphia, PA | Apr 4 | Nov 7 | 216 d |
| Oklahoma City, OK | Apr 4 | Nov 2 | 213 d |
| Nashville, TN | Mar 31 | Nov 3 | 217 d |
| Baltimore, MD | Mar 24 | Nov 21 | 244 d |
| Tulsa, OK | Mar 31 | Nov 4 | 220 d |
| Newark, NJ | Apr 2 | Nov 10 | 222 d |
| Jersey City, NJ | Apr 2 | Nov 10 | 222 d |
| Reno, NV | Apr 20 | Oct 23 | 184 d |
| Lubbock, TX | Mar 24 | Nov 11 | 233 d |
| Winston-Salem, NC | Mar 26 | Nov 9 | 228 d |
| Boise City, ID | Apr 24 | Oct 21 | 179 d |
Zone 7b planting calendar, month by month
Counted from the zone's typical frost dates. February is the busiest month for planting outside, with 23 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 | Peppers, Broccoli, Kale, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Celery, Eggplant, Parsley | ||
| February | Zinnias, Marigolds, Herbs, Tomatoes, Lettuce, Swiss Chard, Okra, Basil | Blueberries, Asparagus, Rhubarb, Lilies, Roses, Fruit Trees, Trees, Apple Trees, Cherry Trees, Potatoes, Onions, Peas, Carrots, Radishes, Beets, Spinach, Kale, Cabbage, Collard Greens, Swiss Chard, Bok Choy, Turnips, Leeks | |
| March | Cucumbers, Zucchini (Summer Squash), Winter Squash, Pumpkins, Watermelon, Cantaloupe | Strawberries, Wildflowers, Raspberries, Dahlias, Gladiolus, Hostas, Herbs, Hydrangeas, Broccoli, Lettuce, Sweet Corn, Green Beans, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Swiss Chard, Bok Choy, Celery, Dill, Parsley | Radishes, Spinach |
| April | Sunflowers, Summer Bulbs, Zinnias, Marigolds, Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers, Zucchini (Summer Squash), Winter Squash, Pumpkins, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Eggplant, Okra, Sweet Potatoes, Basil | Peas, Lettuce, Beets, Kale, Cauliflower, Collard Greens, Bok Choy, Turnips | |
| May | Potatoes, Onions, Broccoli, Cucumbers, Zucchini (Summer Squash), Sweet Corn, Green Beans, Carrots, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Swiss Chard, Okra, Basil | ||
| June | Tomatoes, Peppers, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Leeks, Eggplant | ||
| July | Irises, Brussels Sprouts | Winter Squash, Pumpkins, Sweet Potatoes | |
| August | Hostas, Herbs, Peas, Broccoli, Lettuce, Cucumbers, Zucchini (Summer Squash), Green Beans, Carrots, Radishes, Beets, Kale, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collard Greens, Swiss Chard, Bok Choy, Arugula, Turnips | ||
| September | Strawberries, Wildflowers, Lilies, Peonies, Trees, Hydrangeas, Garlic, Spinach, Shallots | ||
| October | Daffodils, Tulips, Blueberries, Hyacinths, Crocus, Ornamental Alliums, Fruit Trees, Apple Trees, Crape Myrtles | ||
| November | Rhubarb | ||
| December | Onions, Leeks |
Fall plantings are listed with the month they go in. Ranges for each crop are on its page.
What grows well in zone 7b
A season of about 213 days fits nearly every garden crop. Cool-season crops get a spring and a fall planting; warm-season crops such as tomatoes, peppers, squash and beans have a long, steady summer.
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.