Spring Planting Checklist by Zone (2026)

February 15, 2025 · Harvest Home Guides

Spring is the busiest time in the garden, and it arrives at very different times depending on where you live. A gardener in zone 9 might be transplanting tomatoes while a zone 4 gardener is still staring at snow. That’s why a one-size-fits-all planting schedule doesn’t work — you need a checklist matched to your zone.

Below is a week-by-week spring planting guide organized by zone groupings. For your exact dates, enter your zip code in our free planting calendar — it’ll calculate everything based on your specific frost dates.

10-12 Weeks Before Last Frost: The Early Indoor Start

All zones: This is when the longest-season crops get started indoors under grow lights or on a bright windowsill.

• Onions — Start seeds in trays. Onions need a long runway.
• Peppers — Start indoors now. They need 8-10 weeks of indoor growing time.
• Eggplant — Same timing as peppers. Both love warmth.
• Parsley — Soak seeds overnight and be patient; they take 2-4 weeks to germinate.
• Rosemary — If starting from seed (difficult); otherwise buy transplants later.
• Lavender — Start indoors for transplanting after frost.
• Snapdragons — Start early for cool-season blooms.

Zones 8-10: You may already be past this stage. Check your specific dates — you might be ready to transplant some of these outdoors already.

8 Weeks Before Last Frost: The Main Indoor Sowing Push

This is the big one. Most indoor seed-starting happens now. For a complete breakdown of what to start and when by zone, see our Complete Seed Starting Guide.

• Tomatoes — The classic 6-8 weeks before last frost start date.
• Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage — Start indoors for spring planting.
• Brussels sprouts — Long-season crop; get them going early.
• Kale — Start indoors or plan to direct sow in 4 weeks.
• Lettuce — Start indoors for early transplants.
• Basil — Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost.
• Mint, thyme, oregano, sage — Start perennial herbs indoors.
• Chives — Start indoors or divide existing clumps outdoors (they’re very cold-hardy).
• Lemongrass — Start indoors; needs a long warm season.
• Chamomile — Start indoors for early blooms.
• Sweet peas — Start indoors if you didn’t direct sow already.
• Echinacea — Start indoors for first-year blooms.

6 Weeks Before Last Frost: Direct Sowing Begins (Cool Crops)

For the first time this season, you’re putting seeds directly in the ground.

• Peas — Direct sow as soon as soil is workable. They love cool soil.
• Spinach — Direct sow now. It handles frost just fine.
• Radishes — Fast crop! You’ll harvest these before most other things are even planted.
• Onion sets/transplants — Plant outdoors if soil is workable.
• Sweet peas (flower) — Direct sow with support/trellis in place.

Zone-specific notes:

• Zones 3-4: Soil may still be frozen. Wait until it’s workable, even if that’s later than 6 weeks before last frost.
• Zones 5-6: You’re probably good to go with cool-season crops now.
• Zones 7-8: These crops should have been sown 2-4 weeks ago. Hurry!
• Zones 9-10: Cool-season window may be closing. Focus on warm-season planning.

4 Weeks Before Last Frost: Transplant Cool Crops

Indoor seedlings of cool-season crops are ready to go outside. They can handle light frosts.

• Broccoli transplants — Harden off for a week first, then plant.
• Cauliflower transplants — Same as broccoli.
• Cabbage transplants — Very cold-hardy once hardened off.
• Kale transplants — Or direct sow now if you didn’t start indoors.
• Lettuce transplants — Set out under row cover if nights are still cold.
• Carrots — Direct sow. Keep soil consistently moist for germination.
• Beets — Direct sow.
• Potatoes — Plant seed potatoes in cool soil.
• Parsley transplants — Hardy enough to go out now.
• Cilantro — Direct sow. First of several succession plantings.
• Dill — Direct sow.
• Calendula — Direct sow or transplant. Handles cool weather.
• Snapdragon transplants — Tough enough for light frost.

Garden prep tasks:

• Test soil if you haven’t in the past 2-3 years
• Amend beds with compost
• Set up trellises for peas, beans, and cucumbers
• Check irrigation systems and hoses

2 Weeks Before Last Frost: Almost There

• Chives — Direct sow or transplant.
• Chamomile — Direct sow or transplant.
• Fennel — Direct sow or transplant.
• Snapdragons — Direct sow (if you didn’t start indoors).

Harden off indoor seedlings: Start moving tomato, pepper, and other warm-season seedlings outdoors for a few hours each day, gradually increasing exposure over 7-10 days. This is critical — skipping hardening off leads to transplant shock.

Last Frost Date: The Green Light

The average date of your last spring frost. It’s not a guarantee — always check the 10-day forecast before putting tender plants out. Our free frost alert service will email you when freezing temps are forecast for your zip code, so you’re never caught off guard.

• Tomato transplants — Plant deep; bury 2/3 of the stem.
• Basil transplants — Only if nighttime temps are above 50°F.
• Squash, zucchini — Transplant or start direct sowing soon.
• Cucumber transplants — Handle carefully; they don’t love transplanting.
• Marigolds — Transplant starts or direct sow in a week.
• Sunflowers — Direct sow or transplant.
• Zinnias — Transplant starts.
• Cosmos — Transplant starts.
• Nasturtiums — Transplant starts.
• Rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage — Transplant outdoors.
• Mint — Transplant into containers (always containers!).
• Dahlias — Plant tubers.

1-2 Weeks After Last Frost: Warm Soil Crops

Soil has warmed up. Now it’s safe for heat-loving crops.

• Peppers — Transplant when nighttime temps are consistently above 55°F.
• Eggplant — Same as peppers.
• Green beans — Direct sow. Soil temp should be at least 60°F.
• Corn — Direct sow in blocks for pollination. Soil temp 60°F+.
• Sweet potatoes — Transplant slips.
• Watermelon — Transplant or direct sow.
• Cantaloupe — Transplant or direct sow.
• Okra — Direct sow or transplant. Needs warm soil.
• Basil — Direct sow successive plantings.
• Lemongrass — Transplant outdoors.
• Marigolds, zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers — Direct sow.

Ongoing Through Spring and Summer

• Succession plant cilantro, dill, lettuce, radishes, and beans every 2-3 weeks
• Mulch beds once soil has warmed to retain moisture and suppress weeds
• Monitor for pests early — much easier to manage small problems than big ones
• Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth
• Fertilize heavy feeders (tomatoes, peppers, corn, squash) per package directions

Customize This Checklist

This is a general guide — your exact dates depend on your zone and local conditions. Our planting calendar calculates specific dates for all 50+ crops based on your zip code. Bookmark it and check back throughout the season.

For a printed, region-specific version of this checklist with additional detail on variety selection, pest management, and month-by-month garden tasks, the Harvest Home Guides books are an excellent resource. Each regional guide includes planting schedules customized to your zone range. Browse the collection on Amazon.

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Related Reading

• What to Plant in March by Zone
• What to Plant in April by Zone
• Best Spring Gardening Tools 2026 — gear up before the season kicks off
• Best Companion Flowers for Vegetable Gardens
• Best Soil Amendment Products 2026 (Buyer’s Guide)
• Hardening Off Seedlings: Zone Timing Guide

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