Not sure when to plant? Our interactive seed starting calculator creates a planting guide by ZIP code to help you decide when to plant vegetables, flowers, and herbs in your garden in spring or fall.
To use the guide, enter your ZIP code and select the planting schedule you want to work with. The options are based on your USDA plant hardiness zone plus your first and last average frost dates.
- 10% Chance of Frost. (Default) Generally, this setting will give you the best time to plant vegetables, especially seeds that are sensitive to cold or frost.
- 30% Chance of Frost. Useful for cold-hardy, frost-tolerant varieties or anything that you want to start a little bit early for a long growing season. Be sure to protect your seedlings if there’s a cold snap!
- 50% Chance of Frost. Most useful for winter sowing perennials or for those who use cold frames, greenhouses, or other specialized setups. Recommended only for experienced gardeners who are familiar with their landscape and microclimate.