Zone 5a planting calendar
What to plant in January — 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.
Last frost: May 10
First frost: October 1
Winter lows: -20 to -15 °F
Plan & order
- Inventory and order seedaround Jan 18
Sort what you already have, toss anything over 3 years old, and order early while varieties are in stock.
- Map this year's bedsaround Jan 25
Rotate families off last year's ground — nightshades, brassicas and cucurbits each move to a new bed.
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