SproutGuide Almanac · updated weekly

SproutGuide

What to plant this week in Zone 5b

Week of 2026-W31

With the last frost average of May 1 behind us, Zone 5b is now in full swing for summer harvesting and late-season sowing. You can pull your first crops from the garden while simultaneously planting beans, cucumbers, and squash to extend your harvest into autumn.

The next 7 days

Sample: Burlington, VT
Today
7/28
82° 67° 💧59%
Wed
7/29
77° 66° 💧84%
Thu
7/30
72° 61° 💧45%
Fri
7/31
78° 58° 💧11%
Sat
8/1
83° 61° 💧10%
Sun
8/2
80° 65° 💧54%
Mon
8/3
71° 65° 💧54%
Avg high 77°F Rain total 2.7" Humidity 84% Wind 6.6 mph
In the ground

Sow this week

6 crops
  • Bush Bean
  • Cucumber
  • French Marigold
  • Nasturtium
  • Yellow Summer Squash
  • Zucchini
Move out

Transplant this week

Nothing is due to go out this week.

Coming ripe

Harvest soon

55 crops
  • Banana Pepper
  • Basil
  • Beefsteak Tomato
  • Beet
  • Bell Pepper
  • Borage
  • Bush Bean
  • Cabbage
  • Cantaloupe
  • Carrot
  • Cauliflower
  • Cayenne Pepper
  • Cherry Tomato
  • Cleome (Spider Flower)
  • Collard Greens
  • Cosmos
  • Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
  • Cucumber
  • Eggplant
  • Fennel
  • French Marigold
  • Garden Geranium (Zonal)
  • Garden Verbena
  • Garlic
  • Ground Cherry
  • Jalapeño
  • Lantana
  • Lima Bean
  • Nasturtium
  • Onion
  • Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
  • Parsley
  • Parsnip
  • Petunia
  • Poblano Pepper
  • Pole Bean
  • Potato
  • Roma Tomato
  • Rutabaga
  • Scallion (Bunching Onion)
  • Scarlet Runner Bean
  • Shishito Pepper
  • Shiso (Japanese Basil)
  • Snapdragon
  • Summer Savory
  • Sunflower
  • Sweet Corn
  • Swiss Chard
  • Thai Basil
  • Tomatillo
  • Tomato
  • Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
  • Yellow Summer Squash
  • Zinnia
  • Zucchini
Do this now

Seasonal tips

  • Succession sow bush beans and pole beans every two weeks for a continuous supply of fresh pods.
  • Mulch around heavy feeders like tomatoes and peppers to retain moisture as summer heat sets in.
  • Pinch back the tops of young squash plants to encourage bushy growth before they get too large.
Keep watch

Pest & disease watch

  • Watch for aphids on newly sown Nasturtiums and French Marigolds.
  • Inspect leaves of growing Cucumber and Zucchini plants for squash bugs or beetles.
  • Check Tomato and Pepper stems for early signs of hornworms as the canopy thickens.
Water

Watering this week

Water deeply in the morning to keep soil moist but avoid wetting foliage which invites disease on your leafy greens.

One more thing

Harvest Banana Peppers and Cayenne Peppers now while they are still small for a spicier, more compact fruit.

All year

Zone 5b planting calendar

148 crops

Average planting and harvest windows for everything that grows in zone 5b — 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 67

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

Herbs 20

CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Anise Hyssop — — May 1 – May 29 — 1.5 yr
Basil Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 15 – Jul 23 May 15 – May 29 Jul 4 – Oct 1 60d
Chervil — Apr 17 – May 15 — Jun 1 – Jul 14 53d
Chives — Apr 3 – May 1 Apr 17 – May 15 — 75d
Cilantro — Apr 17 – May 15 — May 27 – Jul 9 48d
Dill — Apr 17 – May 29 — May 27 – Jul 23 48d
Fennel — May 1 – Jul 3 — Jul 5 – Oct 1 78d
French Tarragon — — May 1 – May 29 — 85d
German Chamomile — Apr 17 – May 15 — Jun 16 – Jul 19 63d
Ginger — — May 29 – Jun 26 — 270d
Lemon Balm — — May 1 – May 29 — 80d
Lemongrass — — May 1 – May 29 — 105d
Mint — — May 1 – May 29 — 75d
Oregano — — May 1 – May 29 — 85d
Parsley Feb 20 – Mar 6 — Apr 17 – May 15 Jun 26 – Aug 13 80d
Sage — — May 1 – May 29 — 83d
Shiso (Japanese Basil) Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 8 – Jul 8 May 8 – May 22 Jul 17 – Oct 1 78d
Summer Savory Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 15 – Jul 23 May 15 – May 29 Jul 14 – Oct 1 65d
Thai Basil Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 15 – Jul 18 May 15 – May 29 Jul 14 – Oct 1 68d
Thyme — — May 1 – May 29 — 135d

Fruits 24

CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Apple — — Apr 3 – May 15 — 3.5 yr
Apricot — — Apr 3 – May 15 — 3.5 yr
Black Walnut — — Apr 17 – May 29 — 4.5 yr
Blackberry — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 1.2 yr
Blueberry — — Apr 17 – May 29 — 2.5 yr
Cantaloupe Apr 10 – Apr 17 May 15 – Jul 3 May 15 – May 29 Jul 24 – Oct 1 80d
Cranberry — — Apr 17 – May 29 — 1.5 yr
Elderberry — — Apr 17 – May 29 — 2.5 yr
English (Persian) Walnut — — Apr 17 – May 29 — 4.5 yr
Gooseberry — — Apr 17 – May 29 — 2.5 yr
Grape — — Apr 17 – May 15 — 2.5 yr
Ground Cherry Mar 20 – Apr 3 — May 8 – May 22 Jul 12 – Aug 5 70d
Honeyberry (Haskap) — — Apr 17 – May 29 — 2.5 yr
Honeydew Melon Apr 10 – Apr 17 May 15 – Jun 23 May 15 – May 29 Aug 3 – Oct 1 90d
Peach — — Apr 3 – May 15 — 2.5 yr
Pear — — Apr 3 – May 15 — 3.5 yr
Pecan — — Apr 17 – May 29 — 4.5 yr
Plum — — Apr 3 – May 15 — 3.5 yr
Raspberry — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 1.2 yr
Red/Black Currant — — Apr 17 – May 29 — 2.5 yr
Strawberry — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 243d
Sweet Cherry — — Apr 3 – May 15 — 3.5 yr
Tart (Pie) Cherry — — Apr 3 – May 15 — 3.5 yr
Watermelon Apr 10 – Apr 17 May 15 – Jun 28 May 15 – May 29 Jul 29 – Oct 1 85d

Flowers 37

CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Bachelor's Button (Cornflower) — Apr 3 – May 15 — Jun 7 – Jul 24 68d
Bee Balm — — May 1 – May 29 — 1.5 yr
Black-Eyed Susan — May 1 – Jun 3 May 1 – May 29 — 110d
Borage — May 1 – Jul 23 — Jun 25 – Oct 1 63d
Butterfly Milkweed — — May 1 – May 29 — 1.5 yr
Calendula — Apr 17 – May 15 — Jun 1 – Jul 14 53d
Cleome (Spider Flower) — May 8 – Jul 18 — Jul 2 – Oct 1 65d
Cosmos — May 8 – Jul 3 — Jul 7 – Oct 1 75d
Dahlia — — May 8 – May 22 Aug 6 – Sep 19 105d
Delphinium — — May 1 – May 29 — 1.5 yr
French Marigold Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 8 – Aug 2 May 8 – May 22 Jun 22 – Oct 1 53d
Garden Geranium (Zonal) Feb 20 – Mar 6 — May 8 – May 22 Jul 17 – Aug 20 80d
Garden Phlox — — May 1 – May 29 — 1.5 yr
Garden Rose (Shrub) — — May 1 – May 29 — 1.5 yr
Garden Verbena Mar 6 – Mar 20 May 8 – Jul 3 May 8 – May 22 Jul 17 – Oct 1 80d
Hardy Hibiscus — — May 1 – May 29 — 1.5 yr
Hearts & Flowers (Heartleaf Iceplant) — — May 8 – May 29 — 75d
Hollyhock Mar 6 – Mar 20 — Apr 17 – May 1 — 1.5 yr
Lantana Mar 6 – Mar 20 — May 8 – May 22 Jul 17 – Aug 20 80d
Lavender — — May 1 – May 29 — 1.5 yr
Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian) Feb 6 – Feb 20 — May 15 – May 29 Aug 23 – Sep 26 110d
Nasturtium — May 8 – Jul 28 — Jun 27 – Oct 1 58d
New England Aster — — May 1 – May 29 — 1.5 yr
Oriental Poppy — — May 1 – May 29 — 1.5 yr
Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine — — May 15 – Jun 12 Jul 14 – Sep 10 75d
Panicle Hydrangea — — Apr 17 – May 29 — 2.5 yr
Pansy Feb 20 – Mar 6 — Apr 3 – Apr 17 Jun 12 – Jul 16 80d
Petunia Feb 20 – Mar 6 — May 8 – May 22 Jul 17 – Aug 20 80d
Purple Coneflower — — May 1 – May 29 — 1.5 yr
Salvia — — May 8 – May 22 — 110d
Sedum ('Autumn Joy'-type) — — May 1 – May 29 — 1.5 yr
Snapdragon Mar 6 – Mar 20 — Apr 17 – May 1 Jul 6 – Aug 9 90d
Sunflower — May 8 – Jun 23 — Jul 17 – Oct 1 85d
Sweet Alyssum — Apr 17 – May 15 May 1 – May 15 Jun 6 – Jul 14 55d
Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) Apr 3 – Apr 17 May 8 – Jul 18 May 8 – May 22 Jul 7 – Oct 1 68d
Yarrow — — May 1 – May 29 — 135d
Zinnia Apr 3 – Apr 17 May 8 – Jul 18 May 8 – May 22 Jul 7 – Oct 1 68d
Local pages

Cities in zone 5b

9

Burlington, VT · Madison, WI · Des Moines, IA · Fort Collins, CO · Cheyenne, WY · Kingston, ON · Montreal, QC · Charlottetown, PE · St. John's, NL

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