How do I find my last frost date?

Search "[your city] average last frost date" or use the Old Farmer's Almanac frost date tool. USDA and local cooperative extension offices also publish average dates by zip code. The date is a statistical average — actual frost can fall a week or two earlier or later.

Why does the harvest window show a range instead of a single date?

Days to maturity is an estimate, not a guarantee. Soil temperature, sun exposure, watering, and variety differences shift harvest by a week or more in either direction. The range shown accounts for that typical variance.

What does "start indoors" mean versus "direct sow"?

Direct sow means seeds go straight into the garden bed. Start indoors means you germinate seeds inside under lights several weeks early, then transplant the seedlings outside after frost risk passes. Crops like tomatoes and peppers need the head start because they mature slowly.

Can I plant earlier if I use a cold frame or row cover?

Yes. Frost-tolerant crops (kale, spinach, peas) can go out two to four weeks before the last frost with minimal protection. Tender crops (tomatoes, basil, beans) still need warmth even under cover — wait until soil is consistently above 60 °F.

Why are some crops greyed out?

If a crop's required days to maturity exceed your growing season (estimated as 150 days from your frost date), it is marked as marginal. You can still attempt it with season extenders, but outdoor direct sow is risky.

Vegetable Harvest Calendar

Name: Vegetable Harvest Calendar
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Enter your last spring frost date and see a month-by-month planting and harvest window for 20 common vegetables.

Your Frost Date

Last spring frost date Show crops

Days-to-maturity figures are mid-range estimates. Actual harvest varies by variety, soil temperature, and growing conditions.

Enter your last frost date to generate the calendar.

Most US gardeners fall between March 15 and May 15.

Summary

Enter your last spring frost date and see a month-by-month planting and harvest window for 20 common vegetables.

How it works

Enter your average last spring frost date in the date picker.
The tool calculates planting dates for each vegetable relative to that frost date.
Days-to-maturity values are added to produce the expected harvest window.
A color-coded month bar shows plant and harvest periods side by side.
Hover or tap any bar to see exact date ranges and days to maturity.
Use the filter to show only direct-sow, transplant, or indoor-start crops.

Use cases

Plan a backyard vegetable garden to stagger harvests through the season.
Know when tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash will be ready to pick.
Identify fast-maturing crops (radishes, lettuce) that fit between slower ones.
Schedule successive plantings so you avoid a glut and a gap.
Coordinate harvests with a CSA share box or farmers market schedule.
Help a new gardener understand the full timeline from seed to table.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-07-01 · Reviewed by Nham Vu