Zone 5b planting calendar

What to plant in September — 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

Direct sow for fall

Radisharound Sep 2
Succession sowing 2 of 3 — sow every 14 days for a steady cut.
Spinacharound Sep 6
Counts back 40 days from your first frost. Frost-hardy — light freezes sweeten it.
Radisharound Sep 16
Counts back 30 days from your first frost. Frost-hardy — light freezes sweeten it.

Sow cover crop

Cover crop (cereal rye + crimson clover)around Sep 5
Sown a month before frost it germinates, holds your soil all winter, and feeds it in spring.

Plant to overwinter

Garlicaround Sep 21
Cloves go in about two weeks before first frost — they root now, sleep, then bulb next summer.

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