Spring planting depends on knowing your last frost date—the key to timing warm-season vs. cool-season crops.
Frost Date Basics
Last frost date: Average date of the last killing frost (0°C or below)
- Northern temperate: May–June (3–6 weeks later than mild zones)
- Mild temperate: April–May
- Subtropical fringe: Feb–March
Planting Timeline
| Timing | Crops | Method |
|---|---|---|
| 4–6 weeks before frost | Cool-season (lettuce, peas, spinach) | Direct seed |
| 2–4 weeks before frost | Transition crops (cabbage, broccoli) | Transplant |
| At frost date | Warm-season (tomato, pepper, cucumber) | Transplant |
| 1–2 weeks after frost | Heat-lovers (squash, bean) | Direct seed |
Succession Planting
Goal: Continuous harvest rather than all-at-once
Example (Lettuce):
- Week 1: Sow lettuce seeds
- Week 3: Sow next batch
- Week 5: Sow third batch
- Week 8: Harvest first batch, continue weekly
Result: Fresh lettuce every 3 weeks, May–October
Farmer Economics
Single planting: All harvest in 3-week window; flood market; low prices Succession planting: Staggered harvests; steady supply; premium market prices
Related Guides
Check frost dates for your region on our crop calendar.
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