Zone 5b planting calendar
What to plant in October — 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.
Last frost: May 5
First frost: October 5
Winter lows: -15 to -10 °F
A quiet month in zone 5b
October is a rest-and-plan month here. Use it to order seed, test your soil, repair beds, and map next season's rotation — then jump ahead to November.
Turn this into your own calendar
Get the full 12-month version for your exact ZIP — every sowing, transplant, and harvest window, with reminders you can add to your calendar. Free, no account needed to try.