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SproutGuide

What to plant this week in Zone 5a

Week of 2026-W37

Zone 5a gardeners, it is currently mid-winter with average frost dates in May and October. While the ground is dormant, your harvest list for this week includes cool-season crops like Brussels Sprouts, Garlic, Leeks, and Parsnip ready for final pulls or storage planning.

The next 7 days

Sample: Minneapolis, MN
Today
9/12
75° 59° 💧36%
Sun
9/13
69° 51°
Mon
9/14
63° 49° 💧99%
Tue
9/15
69° 56° 💧87%
Wed
9/16
70° 56° 💧19%
Thu
9/17
65° 57° 💧19%
Fri
9/18
71° 54° 💧25%
Avg high 69°F Rain total 1.2" Humidity 63% Wind 6.3 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

44 crops
  • Basil
  • Borage
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Bush Bean
  • Cantaloupe
  • Celery
  • Cleome (Spider Flower)
  • Cosmos
  • Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
  • Cucumber
  • Dahlia
  • Edamame
  • Fennel
  • Flour Corn
  • French Marigold
  • Garden Verbena
  • Garlic
  • Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
  • Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
  • Habanero Pepper
  • Honeydew Melon
  • Leek
  • Lima Bean
  • Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
  • Loofah (Luffa)
  • Nasturtium
  • Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
  • Parsnip
  • Pole Bean
  • Potato
  • Pumpkin
  • Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
  • Scarlet Runner Bean
  • Shiso (Japanese Basil)
  • Summer Savory
  • Sunflower
  • Sweet Corn
  • Thai Basil
  • Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
  • Watermelon
  • Winter Squash
  • Yellow Summer Squash
  • Zinnia
  • Zucchini
Do this now

Seasonal tips

  • Focus on soil preparation now by adding compost and organic matter to improve drainage before spring thaw.
  • Clean up garden debris and remove winter weeds that may have survived under snow cover.
  • Plan your succession planting schedule based on the May 8th last frost date for warm-weather crops.
Keep watch

Pest & disease watch

  • Watch for voles and mice gnawing on exposed plant stems or bulbs during this dormant period.
  • Inspect stored garlic and onions in garages or basements to prevent mold or rot before spring planting.
Water

Watering this week

Skip outdoor watering entirely until the ground thaws, but ensure storage areas stay dry.

One more thing

Use this quiet time to order seeds for your summer crops like Watermelon, Zucchini, and Sunflower so they arrive by late winter.

All year

Zone 5a planting calendar

183 crops

Average planting and harvest windows for everything that grows in zone 5a — 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.

Vegetables 72

CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Acorn Squash Apr 17 – Apr 24 May 22 – Jun 16 May 22 – Jun 5 Jul 31 – Sep 24 85d
Anaheim (New Mexico) Pepper Mar 13 – Mar 27 — May 22 – Jun 5 Aug 5 – Aug 24 78d
Artichoke Mar 13 – Mar 27 — May 8 – May 22 — 165d
Arugula — Apr 10 – May 22 — May 10 – Jul 1 35d
Asparagus — — Apr 10 – May 8 — 2.5 yr
Banana Pepper Mar 13 – Mar 27 — May 22 – Jun 5 Jul 26 – Aug 24 73d
Beefsteak Tomato Mar 27 – Apr 10 — May 15 – May 29 Aug 3 – Sep 1 88d
Beet — Apr 10 – Jun 5 — May 30 – Aug 14 60d
Bell Pepper Mar 13 – Mar 27 — May 22 – Jun 5 Jul 21 – Sep 3 75d
Bok Choy — Apr 24 – May 22 — Jun 3 – Jul 11 45d
Broccoli Mar 20 – Apr 3 — Apr 24 – May 8 Jun 18 – Jul 17 63d
Brussels Sprouts Mar 27 – Apr 10 — May 8 – May 22 Aug 6 – Sep 9 100d
Bush Bean — May 15 – Jul 26 — Jul 4 – Sep 24 55d
Butternut Squash Apr 17 – Apr 24 May 22 – Jun 11 May 22 – Jun 5 Aug 12 – Sep 24 94d
Cabbage Mar 13 – Mar 27 — Apr 24 – May 8 Jul 3 – Aug 6 80d
Carrot — Apr 17 – Jun 5 — Jun 16 – Aug 24 70d
Cauliflower Mar 20 – Apr 3 — May 8 – May 22 Jul 2 – Aug 5 65d
Cayenne Pepper Mar 13 – Mar 27 — May 22 – Jun 5 Jul 31 – Aug 24 75d
Celery Feb 27 – Mar 13 — May 8 – May 22 Aug 16 – Sep 29 115d
Cherry Tomato Mar 27 – Apr 10 — May 15 – May 29 Jul 9 – Aug 7 63d
Collard Greens — Apr 24 – May 22 May 8 – May 22 Jun 18 – Aug 5 65d
Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea) — May 22 – Jul 3 — Jul 21 – Oct 1 75d
Cucumber — May 22 – Jul 21 May 22 – Jun 5 Jul 11 – Sep 24 58d
Daikon Radish — Aug 6 – Sep 10 — Sep 25 – Oct 29 60d
Delicata Squash Apr 17 – Apr 24 May 22 – Jun 16 May 22 – Jun 5 Aug 10 – Sep 24 90d
Edamame — May 22 – Jun 26 — Aug 5 – Sep 24 83d
Eggplant Mar 13 – Mar 27 — May 22 – Jun 5 Jul 26 – Aug 29 75d
Fava (Broad) Bean — Mar 27 – Apr 24 — Jun 5 – Aug 2 85d
Flour Corn — May 15 – Jun 19 — Aug 13 – Oct 17 105d
Garden Pea — Mar 27 – Apr 24 — May 21 – Jul 3 63d
Garlic — Sep 10 – Oct 22 — May 8 – Oct 29 255d
Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) Feb 27 – Mar 13 — May 22 – Jun 5 Aug 30 – Oct 3 110d
Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle) — May 22 – Jun 5 — Aug 30 – Oct 3 110d
Habanero Pepper Mar 13 – Mar 27 — May 22 – Jun 5 Aug 20 – Sep 13 95d
Jalapeño Mar 13 – Mar 27 — May 22 – Jun 5 Jul 26 – Aug 29 75d
Kale Mar 27 – Apr 10 Apr 24 – May 22 Apr 24 – May 8 Jun 13 – Jul 26 58d
Kohlrabi — Apr 10 – May 8 — May 20 – Jul 2 48d
Leek Feb 27 – Mar 13 — May 8 – May 22 Aug 16 – Sep 19 110d
Lettuce Mar 27 – Apr 10 Apr 10 – May 22 Apr 24 – May 8 May 25 – Jul 21 53d
Lima Bean — May 22 – Jul 3 — Jul 26 – Oct 1 78d
Loofah (Luffa) — May 22 – Jun 19 May 22 – Jun 5 Aug 20 – Oct 29 120d
Marconi Pepper Mar 13 – Mar 27 — May 22 – Jun 5 Aug 5 – Aug 29 80d
Mustard Greens — Apr 10 – May 22 — May 15 – Jul 6 40d
Napa Cabbage Mar 13 – Mar 27 — Apr 24 – May 8 Jun 13 – Jul 27 65d
Onion Feb 27 – Mar 13 — Apr 10 – Apr 24 Jul 9 – Aug 12 100d
Parsnip — Apr 24 – May 22 — Aug 2 – Sep 19 110d
Poblano Pepper Mar 13 – Mar 27 — May 22 – Jun 5 Jul 26 – Aug 24 73d
Pole Bean — May 15 – Jul 16 — Jul 14 – Sep 24 65d
Potato — Apr 24 – May 22 — Jul 3 – Sep 19 95d
Pumpkin — May 22 – Jun 5 — Aug 25 – Oct 3 108d
Radish — Apr 10 – Jun 5 — May 2 – Jul 5 26d
Rhubarb — — Apr 10 – May 8 — 1.5 yr
Roma Tomato Mar 27 – Apr 10 — May 15 – May 29 Jul 24 – Aug 17 75d
Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus) — May 29 – Jun 19 May 29 – Jun 12 Sep 6 – Oct 29 125d
Rutabaga — Apr 24 – May 22 — Jul 23 – Aug 30 95d
Scallion (Bunching Onion) — Apr 10 – Jun 5 — Jun 9 – Aug 14 65d
Scarlet Runner Bean — May 15 – Jul 16 — Jul 14 – Sep 24 65d
Serrano Pepper Mar 13 – Mar 27 — May 22 – Jun 5 Aug 5 – Aug 24 78d
Shallot — — Apr 10 – Apr 24 Jul 9 – Aug 2 95d
Shishito Pepper Mar 13 – Mar 27 — May 22 – Jun 5 Jul 16 – Aug 9 60d
Snow Pea — Mar 27 – Apr 24 — May 26 – Jul 3 65d
Spaghetti Squash Apr 17 – Apr 24 May 22 – Jun 6 May 22 – Jun 5 Aug 5 – Sep 24 93d
Spinach — Mar 27 – May 8 — May 1 – Jun 22 40d
Sugar Snap Pea — Mar 27 – Apr 24 — May 21 – Jun 28 60d
Sweet Corn — May 15 – Jun 26 — Jul 19 – Sep 24 78d
Swiss Chard — Apr 24 – Jun 5 — Jun 13 – Aug 4 55d
Tomatillo Mar 27 – Apr 10 — May 15 – May 29 Jul 29 – Sep 6 88d
Tomato Mar 27 – Apr 10 — May 15 – May 29 Jul 14 – Aug 22 73d
Turnip — Apr 10 – May 22 — May 20 – Jul 21 50d
Winter Squash — May 22 – Jun 6 — Aug 20 – Sep 24 100d
Yellow Summer Squash Apr 17 – Apr 24 May 22 – Jul 31 May 22 – Jun 5 Jul 6 – Sep 24 50d
Zucchini Apr 17 – Apr 24 May 22 – Jul 31 May 22 – Jun 5 Jul 6 – Sep 24 50d

Herbs 21

CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Anise Hyssop — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 1.5 yr
Basil Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 22 – Jul 16 May 22 – Jun 5 Jul 11 – Sep 24 60d
Chervil — Apr 24 – May 22 — Jun 8 – Jul 21 53d
Chives — Apr 10 – May 8 Apr 24 – May 22 — 75d
Cilantro — Apr 24 – May 22 — Jun 3 – Jul 16 48d
Dill — Apr 24 – Jun 5 — Jun 3 – Jul 30 48d
Fennel — May 8 – Jun 26 — Jul 12 – Sep 24 78d
French Tarragon — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 85d
German Chamomile — Apr 24 – May 22 — Jun 23 – Jul 26 63d
Ginger — — Jun 5 – Jul 3 — 270d
Lemon Balm — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 80d
Lemongrass — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 105d
Mint — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 75d
Oregano — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 85d
Parsley Feb 27 – Mar 13 — Apr 24 – May 22 Jul 3 – Aug 20 80d
Purslane — May 15 – Jul 26 — Jun 29 – Sep 24 53d
Sage — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 83d
Shiso (Japanese Basil) Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 15 – Jul 1 May 15 – May 29 Jul 24 – Sep 24 78d
Summer Savory Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 22 – Jul 16 May 22 – Jun 5 Jul 21 – Sep 24 65d
Thai Basil Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 22 – Jul 11 May 22 – Jun 5 Jul 21 – Sep 24 68d
Thyme — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 135d

Fruits 24

CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Apple — — Apr 10 – May 22 — 3.5 yr
Apricot — — Apr 10 – May 22 — 3.5 yr
Black Walnut — — Apr 24 – Jun 5 — 4.5 yr
Blackberry — — Apr 10 – May 8 — 1.2 yr
Blueberry — — Apr 24 – Jun 5 — 2.5 yr
Cantaloupe Apr 17 – Apr 24 May 22 – Jun 26 May 22 – Jun 5 Jul 31 – Sep 24 80d
Cranberry — — Apr 24 – Jun 5 — 1.5 yr
Elderberry — — Apr 24 – Jun 5 — 2.5 yr
English (Persian) Walnut — — Apr 24 – Jun 5 — 4.5 yr
Gooseberry — — Apr 24 – Jun 5 — 2.5 yr
Grape — — Apr 24 – May 22 — 2.5 yr
Ground Cherry Mar 27 – Apr 10 — May 15 – May 29 Jul 19 – Aug 12 70d
Honeyberry (Haskap) — — Apr 24 – Jun 5 — 2.5 yr
Honeydew Melon Apr 17 – Apr 24 May 22 – Jun 16 May 22 – Jun 5 Aug 10 – Sep 24 90d
Pear — — Apr 10 – May 22 — 3.5 yr
Pecan — — Apr 24 – Jun 5 — 4.5 yr
Plum — — Apr 10 – May 22 — 3.5 yr
Raspberry — — Apr 10 – May 8 — 1.2 yr
Red Mulberry — — Apr 10 – May 22 — 3.5 yr
Red/Black Currant — — Apr 24 – Jun 5 — 2.5 yr
Strawberry — — Apr 10 – May 8 — 243d
Sweet Cherry — — Apr 10 – May 22 — 3.5 yr
Tart (Pie) Cherry — — Apr 10 – May 22 — 3.5 yr
Watermelon Apr 17 – Apr 24 May 22 – Jun 21 May 22 – Jun 5 Aug 5 – Sep 24 85d

Flowers 66

CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Ageratum (Floss Flower) Mar 13 – Mar 27 — May 15 – May 29 Jul 14 – Aug 22 73d
American Wisteria — — Apr 24 – Jun 5 — 3.5 yr
Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon) Mar 13 – Mar 27 — May 15 – May 29 Jul 14 – Aug 27 75d
Bachelor's Button (Cornflower) — Apr 10 – May 22 — Jun 14 – Jul 31 68d
Bee Balm — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 1.5 yr
Bigleaf Hydrangea (Mophead) — — Apr 24 – Jun 5 — 2.5 yr
Black-Eyed Susan — May 8 – Jun 5 May 8 – Jun 5 — 110d
Borage — May 8 – Jul 16 — Jul 2 – Sep 24 63d
Butterfly Milkweed — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 1.5 yr
Calendula — Apr 24 – May 22 — Jun 8 – Jul 21 53d
Celosia (Cockscomb) Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 15 – Jun 21 May 15 – May 29 Jul 29 – Sep 24 85d
Chocolate Vine (Akebia) — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 2.5 yr
Cleome (Spider Flower) — May 15 – Jul 11 — Jul 9 – Sep 24 65d
Climbing Hydrangea — — Apr 24 – Jun 5 — 3.5 yr
Climbing Rose — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 2.5 yr
Coleus Mar 13 – Mar 27 — May 15 – May 29 Jul 14 – Aug 27 75d
Coral Honeysuckle — — Apr 24 – Jun 5 — 2.5 yr
Coreopsis (Tickseed) — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 1.5 yr
Cosmos — May 15 – Jun 26 — Jul 14 – Sep 24 75d
Craspedia (Billy Buttons) Feb 27 – Mar 13 — May 15 – May 29 Aug 13 – Sep 26 105d
Dahlia — — May 15 – May 29 Aug 13 – Sep 26 105d
Delphinium — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 1.5 yr
English Ivy — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 2.5 yr
French Marigold Apr 3 – Apr 17 May 15 – Jul 26 May 15 – May 29 Jun 29 – Sep 24 53d
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 1.5 yr
Garden Geranium (Zonal) Feb 27 – Mar 13 — May 15 – May 29 Jul 24 – Aug 27 80d
Garden Phlox — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 1.5 yr
Garden Rose (Shrub) — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 1.5 yr
Garden Verbena Mar 13 – Mar 27 May 15 – Jun 26 May 15 – May 29 Jul 24 – Sep 24 80d
Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth) Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 15 – Jun 16 May 15 – May 29 Aug 8 – Sep 24 93d
Hardy Hibiscus — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 1.5 yr
Hearts & Flowers (Heartleaf Iceplant) — — May 15 – Jun 5 — 75d
Hollyhock Mar 13 – Mar 27 — Apr 24 – May 8 — 1.5 yr
Hosta — — Apr 24 – Jun 5 — 1.5 yr
Lantana Mar 13 – Mar 27 — May 15 – May 29 Jul 24 – Aug 27 80d
Lavender — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 1.5 yr
Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian) Feb 13 – Feb 27 — May 22 – Jun 5 Aug 30 – Oct 3 110d
Lobelia (Edging Lobelia) Feb 27 – Mar 13 — Apr 24 – May 15 Jul 3 – Aug 8 78d
Morning Glory Apr 17 – Apr 24 May 15 – Jun 26 May 15 – May 29 Jul 19 – Sep 24 78d
Nasturtium — May 15 – Jul 21 — Jul 4 – Sep 24 58d
New England Aster — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 1.5 yr
Oriental Poppy — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 1.5 yr
Ornamental Allium — Aug 13 – Sep 24 — — 1.5 yr
Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine — — May 22 – Jun 19 Jul 21 – Sep 17 75d
Osteospermum (African Daisy) Mar 13 – Mar 27 — May 1 – May 22 Jun 30 – Aug 20 75d
Panicle Hydrangea — — Apr 24 – Jun 5 — 2.5 yr
Pansy Feb 27 – Mar 13 — Apr 10 – Apr 24 Jun 19 – Jul 23 80d
Passionflower (Maypop) — — May 15 – Jun 5 — 1.5 yr
Pentas (Egyptian Star Flower) Mar 13 – Mar 27 — May 15 – May 29 Jul 24 – Aug 27 80d
Petunia Feb 27 – Mar 13 — May 15 – May 29 Jul 24 – Aug 27 80d
Purple Coneflower — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 1.5 yr
Salvia — — May 15 – May 29 — 110d
Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower) — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 1.5 yr
Sedum ('Autumn Joy'-type) — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 1.5 yr
Shasta Daisy — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 1.5 yr
Snapdragon Mar 13 – Mar 27 — Apr 24 – May 8 Jul 13 – Aug 16 90d
Statice Mar 13 – Mar 27 — May 8 – May 22 Aug 6 – Sep 9 100d
Stock Feb 27 – Mar 13 Mar 27 – Apr 24 Apr 10 – Apr 24 Jun 5 – Aug 2 85d
Sunflower — May 15 – Jun 19 — Jul 24 – Sep 27 85d
Sweet Alyssum — Apr 24 – May 22 May 8 – May 22 Jun 13 – Jul 21 55d
Sweet Pea Mar 13 – Mar 27 Mar 27 – Apr 24 Apr 10 – Apr 24 Jun 10 – Aug 2 88d
Trumpet Vine (Trumpet Creeper) — — Apr 24 – Jun 5 — 2.5 yr
Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) Apr 10 – Apr 24 May 15 – Jul 11 May 15 – May 29 Jul 14 – Sep 24 68d
Viola (Johnny-Jump-Up) Feb 27 – Mar 13 Mar 13 – Apr 10 Mar 27 – Apr 24 May 12 – Jul 23 75d
Yarrow — — May 8 – Jun 5 — 135d
Zinnia Apr 10 – Apr 24 May 15 – Jul 11 May 15 – May 29 Jul 14 – Sep 24 68d
Local pages

Cities in zone 5a

7

Minneapolis, MN · St. Paul, MN · Sioux Falls, SD · Billings, MT · Anchorage, AK · Ottawa, ON · Fredericton, NB

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