Zone 5b planting calendar

What to plant in August: zone 5b

Zone 5b averages its last spring frost around May 5 and its first fall frost around October 5. 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 5
First frost: October 5
Winter lows: -15 to -10 °F
Zone 5b Almanac. What growers here actually recorded: sowing weeks, days to first pick, and yields.

Direct sow for fall

  • Bush beanaround Aug 1

    Counts back 55 days from your first frost. Frost-tender: must finish before frost.

  • Peaaround Aug 6

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

  • Carrotaround Aug 7

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

  • Beetaround Aug 11

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

  • Dillaround Aug 11

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

  • Spinacharound Aug 16

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

  • Lettucearound Aug 16

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

  • Radisharound Aug 19

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

  • Cilantroaround Aug 21

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

Transplant for fall

  • Broccoliaround Aug 12

    Last safe transplant date to mature (65 days) before frost on 10-05.

  • Kalearound Aug 22

    Last safe transplant date to mature (55 days) before frost on 10-05.

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