Zone 2A Planting Guide

USDA Hardiness Zone 2A is one of the coldest gardening zones in the continental United States, with average annual minimum temperatures between -50ยฐF and -45ยฐF. The growing season is short and intense: the last spring frost on Jun 12 and first fall frost on Aug 17 yield approximately 66 frost-free days. Gardeners in Zone 2A must prioritize fast-maturing, cold-hardy varieties and rely heavily on season-extension techniques such as cold frames, row covers, and indoor seed starting to make the most of a compressed window. Root vegetables, brassicas, and cool-season greens are the backbone of Zone 2A production. To find your USDA zone by zip code, use our free planting calendar. Browse individual plant guides for detailed growing instructions, or explore how USDA zones work to better understand your growing conditions.

Last Spring Frost

Jun 12

First Fall Frost

Aug 17

Growing Season

66 days

Filterable list of 100 vegetables, herbs, and flowers for Zone 2A. Each crop links to its plant page for planting dates.

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Jump directly to the detailed growing guide for any plant in Zone 2A.

Vegetables

Herbs

Flowers

Growing guides for Zone 2A

Hand-picked posts from the GardeningByZone blog that apply to your zone.

Printable planting calendar and worksheet

Two PDFs for the Midwest region, to print at home.

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Midwest Planting Calendar: $4.49

When to plant vegetables outdoors, state by state, from each state's own extension service. IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, OH, WI ยท Zones 3a through 8a. Printable PDF.

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Midwest Planning Worksheet: $4.99

Lay out beds, plan crop rotation and record planting dates, with a crop reference for the Midwest region. Printable PDF.

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