Zone 5a planting calendar

What to plant in August: zone 5a

Zone 5a averages its last spring frost around May 10 and its first fall frost around October 1. Everything below is timed from those two dates, so it stays useful whether you're planting for summer or for a fall harvest.

These are zone-average dates. Check an area-level frost estimate from thirty years of nearby weather history and this calendar retimes itself.
Last frost: May 10
First frost: October 1
Winter lows: -20 to -15 °F
Zone 5a Almanac. What growers here actually recorded: sowing weeks, days to first pick, and yields.

Direct sow for fall

  • Peaaround Aug 2

    Counts back 60 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.

  • Carrotaround Aug 3

    Counts back 70 days from your first frost. Frost-hardy: light freezes sweeten it.

  • Beetaround Aug 7

    Counts back 55 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.

  • Dillaround Aug 7

    Counts back 45 days from your first frost. Frost-tender: must finish before frost.

  • Spinacharound Aug 12

    Succession sowing 2 of 3. Sow every 21 days for a steady cut.

  • Lettucearound Aug 12

    Counts back 50 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.

  • Radisharound Aug 15

    Succession sowing 3 of 3. Sow every 14 days for a steady cut.

  • Cilantroaround Aug 17

    Counts back 45 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.

  • Radisharound Aug 29

    Succession sowing 2 of 3. Sow every 14 days for a steady cut.

Transplant for fall

  • Broccoliaround Aug 8

    Last safe transplant date to mature (65 days) before frost on 10-01.

  • Kalearound Aug 18

    Last safe transplant date to mature (55 days) before frost on 10-01.

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