What to plant this week in Zone 3a
With the last frost averaging May 15, your Zone 3a garden is finally waking up and ready for a major harvest. Focus on pulling in crops like tomatoes, beans, and squash while enjoying greens like kale and collards that are maturing soon.
The next 7 days
Sample: Fairbanks, AKToday
7/28
65°
47°
Wed
7/29
69°
45°
Thu
7/30
69°
52°
Fri
7/31
71°
50°
Sat
8/1
76°
51°
Sun
8/2
76°
56°
💧18%
Mon
8/3
76°
56°
💧20%
Avg high 72°F
Rain total 0.3"
Humidity 58%
Wind 4.3 mph
In the ground
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Move out
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Coming ripe
Harvest soon
38 crops- Bachelor's Button (Cornflower)
- Beet
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cabbage
- Calendula
- Carrot
- Cauliflower
- Cherry Tomato
- Chervil
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Collard Greens
- Cosmos
- Dill
- Fava (Broad) Bean
- French Marigold
- Garlic
- German Chamomile
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Napa Cabbage
- Onion
- Pansy
- Parsley
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Scallion (Bunching Onion)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shallot
- Snapdragon
- Sweet Alyssum
- Swiss Chard
- Tomato
- Turnip
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Do this now
Seasonal tips
- Harvest bush beans, pole beans, sweet corn, zucchini, and yellow summer squash before the first frost hits on September 15.
- Protect tender transplants like lettuce and cabbage with row covers if a late spring chill is forecasted after May 15.
- Begin succession sowing carrots and beets now to ensure a steady supply of root vegetables through the growing season.
- Start indoor seedlings for next year's garlic or overwintering crops if your specific microclimate allows.
Keep watch
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for aphids on new growth in tomatoes, beans, and squash as temperatures rise above freezing.
- Monitor carrot roots and parsley leaves for carrot rust fly damage late in the season.
- Check kale and collard greens for cabbage loopers or caterpillars that thrive in cool spring weather.
Water
Watering this week
Water deeply but less frequently as soil warms after May 15, allowing plants to establish deep roots before summer heat arrives.
One more thing
Since frost dates are wide-ranging here, always have row covers on hand for unexpected cold snaps between late April and mid-May.
All year
Zone 3a planting calendar
94 cropsAverage planting and harvest windows for everything that grows in zone 3a — dates shift a week or two with the season, so treat them as a starting point and check the weekly guide above for what's open right now.
- Start indoors
- Sow outdoors
- Transplant
- Harvest
Vegetables 44
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artichoke | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | May 15 – May 29 | — | 165d | |
| Arugula | — | Apr 17 – May 29 | — | May 17 – Jul 8 | 35d | |
| Asparagus | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Beefsteak Tomato | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | Aug 10 – Sep 8 | 88d | |
| Beet | — | Apr 17 – Jun 12 | — | Jun 6 – Aug 21 | 60d | |
| Bok Choy | — | May 1 – May 29 | — | Jun 10 – Jul 18 | 45d | |
| Broccoli | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Jun 25 – Jul 24 | 63d | |
| Brussels Sprouts | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | Aug 13 – Sep 16 | 100d | |
| Bush Bean | — | May 22 – Jul 10 | — | Jul 11 – Sep 8 | 55d | |
| Cabbage | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Jul 10 – Aug 13 | 80d | |
| Carrot | — | Apr 24 – Jun 12 | — | Jun 23 – Aug 31 | 70d | |
| Cauliflower | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | May 15 – May 29 | Jul 9 – Aug 12 | 65d | |
| Cherry Tomato | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 16 – Aug 14 | 63d | |
| Collard Greens | — | May 1 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | Jun 25 – Aug 12 | 65d | |
| Fava (Broad) Bean | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | — | Jun 12 – Aug 9 | 85d | |
| Garden Pea | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | — | May 28 – Jul 10 | 63d | |
| Garlic | — | Aug 18 – Sep 29 | — | Apr 15 – Oct 6 | 255d | |
| Kale | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 1 – May 29 | May 1 – May 15 | Jun 20 – Aug 2 | 58d | |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | — | May 27 – Jul 9 | 48d | |
| Leek | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | May 15 – May 29 | Aug 23 – Sep 26 | 110d | |
| Lettuce | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 17 – May 29 | May 1 – May 15 | Jun 1 – Jul 28 | 53d | |
| Mustard Greens | — | Apr 17 – May 29 | — | May 22 – Jul 13 | 40d | |
| Napa Cabbage | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Jun 20 – Aug 3 | 65d | |
| Onion | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Apr 17 – May 1 | Jul 16 – Aug 19 | 100d | |
| Parsnip | — | May 1 – May 29 | — | Aug 9 – Sep 26 | 110d | |
| Pole Bean | — | May 22 – Jun 26 | — | Jul 21 – Sep 4 | 65d | |
| Potato | — | May 1 – May 29 | — | Jul 10 – Sep 26 | 95d | |
| Pumpkin | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | Sep 1 – Oct 6 | 108d | |
| Radish | — | Apr 17 – Jun 12 | — | May 9 – Jul 12 | 26d | |
| Rhubarb | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Roma Tomato | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 31 – Aug 24 | 75d | |
| Rutabaga | — | May 1 – May 29 | — | Jul 30 – Sep 6 | 95d | |
| Scallion (Bunching Onion) | — | Apr 17 – Jun 12 | — | Jun 16 – Aug 21 | 65d | |
| Scarlet Runner Bean | — | May 22 – Jun 26 | — | Jul 21 – Sep 4 | 65d | |
| Shallot | — | — | Apr 17 – May 1 | Jul 16 – Aug 9 | 95d | |
| Snow Pea | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | — | Jun 2 – Jul 10 | 65d | |
| Spinach | — | Apr 3 – May 15 | — | May 8 – Jun 29 | 40d | |
| Sugar Snap Pea | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | — | May 28 – Jul 5 | 60d | |
| Swiss Chard | — | May 1 – Jun 12 | — | Jun 20 – Aug 11 | 55d | |
| Tomato | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 21 – Aug 29 | 73d | |
| Turnip | — | Apr 17 – May 29 | — | May 27 – Jul 28 | 50d | |
| Winter Squash | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | Aug 27 – Sep 30 | 100d | |
| Yellow Summer Squash | Apr 24 – May 1 | May 29 – Jul 8 | May 29 – Jun 12 | Jul 13 – Sep 1 | 50d | |
| Zucchini | Apr 24 – May 1 | May 29 – Jul 8 | May 29 – Jun 12 | Jul 13 – Sep 1 | 50d |
Herbs 12
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chervil | — | May 1 – May 29 | — | Jun 15 – Jul 28 | 53d | |
| Chives | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | May 1 – May 29 | — | 75d | |
| Cilantro | — | May 1 – May 29 | — | Jun 10 – Jul 23 | 48d | |
| Dill | — | May 1 – Jun 12 | — | Jun 10 – Aug 6 | 48d | |
| German Chamomile | — | May 1 – May 29 | — | Jun 30 – Aug 2 | 63d | |
| Ginger | — | — | Jun 12 – Jul 10 | — | 270d | |
| Lemon Balm | — | — | May 15 – Jun 12 | — | 80d | |
| Lemongrass | — | — | May 15 – Jun 12 | — | 105d | |
| Mint | — | — | May 15 – Jun 12 | — | 75d | |
| Parsley | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | May 1 – May 29 | Jul 10 – Aug 27 | 80d | |
| Shiso (Japanese Basil) | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 22 – Jun 8 | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 31 – Sep 1 | 78d | |
| Summer Savory | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 29 – Jun 23 | May 29 – Jun 12 | Jul 28 – Sep 1 | 65d |
Fruits 9
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | — | — | Apr 17 – May 29 | — | 3.5 yr | |
| Blueberry | — | — | May 1 – Jun 12 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Cranberry | — | — | May 1 – Jun 12 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Elderberry | — | — | May 1 – Jun 12 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Gooseberry | — | — | May 1 – Jun 12 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Honeyberry (Haskap) | — | — | May 1 – Jun 12 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Raspberry | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | — | 1.2 yr | |
| Red/Black Currant | — | — | May 1 – Jun 12 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Strawberry | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | — | 243d |
Flowers 29
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Button (Cornflower) | — | Apr 17 – May 29 | — | Jun 21 – Aug 7 | 68d | |
| Black-Eyed Susan | — | May 15 – Jun 12 | May 15 – Jun 12 | — | 110d | |
| Borage | — | May 15 – Jun 23 | — | Jul 9 – Sep 1 | 63d | |
| Butterfly Milkweed | — | — | May 15 – Jun 12 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Calendula | — | May 1 – May 29 | — | Jun 15 – Jul 28 | 53d | |
| Cleome (Spider Flower) | — | May 22 – Jun 18 | — | Jul 16 – Sep 1 | 65d | |
| Cosmos | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | — | Jul 21 – Sep 10 | 75d | |
| Dahlia | — | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | Aug 20 – Oct 3 | 105d | |
| Delphinium | — | — | May 15 – Jun 12 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| French Marigold | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | May 22 – Jul 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 6 – Sep 1 | 53d | |
| Garden Geranium (Zonal) | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 31 – Sep 3 | 80d | |
| Garden Verbena | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 12 | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 31 – Sep 10 | 80d | |
| Hollyhock | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Lantana | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 31 – Sep 3 | 80d | |
| Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian) | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | Sep 6 – Oct 6 | 110d | |
| New England Aster | — | — | May 15 – Jun 12 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Oriental Poppy | — | — | May 15 – Jun 12 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine | — | — | May 29 – Jun 26 | Jul 28 – Sep 24 | 75d | |
| Panicle Hydrangea | — | — | May 1 – Jun 12 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Pansy | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Apr 17 – May 1 | Jun 26 – Jul 30 | 80d | |
| Petunia | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 31 – Sep 3 | 80d | |
| Purple Coneflower | — | — | May 15 – Jun 12 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Sedum ('Autumn Joy'-type) | — | — | May 15 – Jun 12 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Snapdragon | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Jul 20 – Aug 23 | 90d | |
| Sunflower | — | May 22 – Jun 26 | — | Jul 31 – Oct 4 | 85d | |
| Sweet Alyssum | — | May 1 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | Jun 20 – Jul 28 | 55d | |
| Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) | Apr 17 – May 1 | May 22 – Jun 18 | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 21 – Sep 1 | 68d | |
| Yarrow | — | — | May 15 – Jun 12 | — | 135d | |
| Zinnia | Apr 17 – May 1 | May 22 – Jun 18 | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 21 – Sep 1 | 68d |
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