Spring Planting Checklist by Zone (2026)

February 15, 2025

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.

(By the way, if you’re looking for a complete, month-by-month plan for your climate, check out our regional Vegetable Gardening Guides.)

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 our regional guides books are an excellent resource. Each regional guide includes planting schedules customized to your zone range. Browse the full collection on our regional guides page.

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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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