Seasonal Planting Calendar: 12 Tips for Successful Gardening Each Month in the USA

You stare out at your garden — or your patio, or even just that one empty planter on your balcony — and think, “Is it too early to plant tomatoes? Can I still grow lettuce? What even grows in August?” You Google it, but every site gives a different answer. Some tell you to start seeds indoors, some say outdoors, others list 20 vegetables you’ve never even eaten. It’s confusing. It shouldn’t be.

Here’s the truth: you don’t need a complicated chart, a gardening degree, or a greenhouse to grow the right things at the right time. You just need a simple, month-by-month planting guide that helps you take the guesswork out of what to grow and when. When I first started following a seasonal planting calendar, I planted tomatoes too early and lost them to frost – lesson learned!

This blog breaks it all down for you with a simple seasonal planting calendar tailored for US growers. Think of it as a simple monthly planting guide USA gardeners can follow without overcomplication. This seasonal planting calendar is designed to simplify decisions for every gardener. Whether you’re new to gardening or have a few seasons under your belt, you’ll find a practical, inspiring planting calendar tailored for US growers. By the end of this, you’ll know exactly what to grow each month — and you’ll finally feel confident doing it.

🌿 How to Use This Seasonal Planting Calendar

Before you dive in, here’s how to get the most out of this calendar.

This guide is built for US gardeners, based on average conditions in growing zones 6–8 — which cover a huge part of the country, including cities like St. Louis, Kansas City, Nashville, and parts of the Northeast and Midwest. If you’re in a warmer zone (9–11) like parts of Florida, Texas, or Southern California, you can often plant earlier and grow longer into the year. In colder zones (3–5) like Minnesota or upstate New York, you might need to start things a few weeks later or rely more on indoor seed starting. By adjusting the dates in your seasonal planting calendar, you can match it perfectly to your local conditions.

Here’s what you’ll see for each month:

• What to plant outdoors — these are seeds or seedlings you can pop straight into the ground or containers.
• What to start indoors — for plants that need a head start before the weather catches up.
• Quick tips — little reminders, like when to watch for frost or plan your next round of planting.

Don’t worry about getting it perfect. Gardening isn’t about following rules to the letter — it’s about learning what works in your space, in your climate, and for your life. This calendar gives you a solid foundation to grow with confidence.

🗓️ January

It’s cold, it’s grey, and the ground might be frozen — but that doesn’t mean gardening is off the table. January is all about planning and starting a few early crops indoors if you’re eager to get a jump on the season.

🌱 Start Indoors

• Onions (from seed) – These take a while to mature, so the earlier you start, the better.
• Leeks – Same story as onions — long growers that love an early start.
• Celery – Slow to germinate and picky about temperature, but now’s the time.

🚫 Don’t Plant Outdoors (yet)

Unless you’re in zones 9–11, it’s too cold to plant outside. The soil is either frozen or too cold for good germination.

🔧 Quick Tip

Use a heated seed mat and a grow light to help indoor seedlings thrive. The University of Minnesota Extension offers excellent guidance on starting seeds indoors successfully. And while your hands might not be in the soil yet, this is the perfect time to:

• Clean and sharpen your tools
• Plan your garden layout
• Order seeds before everyone else does

January is also when many gardeners wonder what to grow each month, and this calendar gives you a clear answer. January is the planning month in your seasonal planting calendar. Over time, you won’t just follow a seasonal planting calendar — you’ll intuitively know what to grow each month in your own space.

🗓️ February

The days are still short, but if you’re itching to get growing, February rewards early starters. It’s the perfect time to begin building momentum — especially indoors.

🌱 Start Indoors

• Tomatoes – Start seeds indoors in late February if you’re in zone 7 or warmer.
• Peppers (sweet and hot) – These need a long growing season, so give them a head start now.
• Eggplant – Like peppers, they thrive with an early indoor start.
• Broccoli & Cauliflower – Begin these indoors to transplant in early spring.
• Herbs (parsley, oregano, thyme) – Slow-growing herbs can be started inside now.

🌿 Direct Sow Outdoors (for mild climates, zones 9–11)

• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Carrots
• Radishes
• Peas

🧠 Quick Tip

Keep an eye on your frost dates. Just because it’s sunny doesn’t mean the soil is ready. You can check your local last frost date online using the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map as a reliable reference. February adds momentum in the seasonal planting calendar for US gardeners.

🗓️ March

Spring is around the corner, and March is where things really start to take off. Whether you’re sowing seeds indoors or prepping garden beds, this is a busy month for gardeners in most US zones.

🌱 Start Indoors

• Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants – If you haven’t already started them, now’s your last good window.
• Cabbage, kale, and chard – Cool-weather crops that transplant well once the frost lifts.
• Basil – A fast-growing herb that loves a warm start indoors.

🌿 Direct Sow Outdoors (zones 6–8, late March or after soil thaws)

• Peas
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Carrots
• Beets
• Radishes
• Turnips

🌼 Also: Prep your soil

• Clear beds of debris and old mulch.
• Add compost or aged manure to enrich the soil.
• Test your soil if you haven’t already — pH and nutrients matter more than you’d think. The Cornell Soil Health program provides simple soil testing and improvement guides.

🌡️ Quick Tip

Start hardening off your indoor seedlings later in the month by placing them outdoors in a shaded spot for a few hours each day. Gradually increase their exposure so they’re ready for transplanting in April. I remember my first year planting peas in March, they shot up fast and made me realize how powerful timing is in a planting calendar. March is where cool crops dominate the seasonal planting calendar.

🗓️ April

This is the real kickoff for the growing season in most parts of the US. Frost dates are approaching (or already passed in warmer zones), and it’s time to get your hands dirty.

🌱 Start Indoors

• Cucumbers – Start them indoors in early April for transplanting next month.
• Melons – Like warmth, so start indoors if you want an earlier harvest.
• Pumpkins & squash – Especially in cooler zones, a head start helps.
• Zinnias & marigolds – Great time to start flowers for summer blooms.

🌿 Direct Sow Outdoors (zones 6–8, post-frost)

• Potatoes
• Lettuce, spinach, and chard
• Peas and carrots
• Beets and radishes
• Onions (from sets or starts)
• Broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage transplants

🌼 Flowers to Direct Sow

• Sunflowers
• Calendula
• Cosmos

🌤️ Quick Tip

Have row covers or frost cloth ready, just in case of a surprise late cold snap. It’s also a good month to mulch your beds to keep weeds down and moisture in. April is the real kickoff in your seasonal planting calendar.

🗓️ May

This is the month most gardeners wait for — frost is gone (in most zones), the soil is warming up, and nearly everything is fair game. Time to fill your beds and containers with summer staples.

🌱 Start Indoors (if needed)

• Successions of cucumbers, squash, melons – Start a few more indoors if you want staggered harvests into late summer.
• Basil and other fast-growing herbs – Still time to grow a healthy batch from seed.

🌿 Direct Sow Outdoors

• Beans (bush and pole)
• Corn
• Cucumbers
• Zucchini and summer squash
• Melons (cantaloupe, watermelon)
• Pumpkins
• Okra
• Sunflowers and other heat-loving flowers

🌱 Transplant Outdoors

• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Eggplants
• Herbs (basil, parsley, oregano, thyme)

💡 Quick Tip

May can be deceptive. It feels warm, but cool nights can still stunt tender plants like tomatoes and peppers. Wait until nighttime temps are reliably above 55°F before transplanting heat lovers or cover them with cloches or row covers for extra warmth. One year, I transplanted peppers too early in May, and cold nights stunted them. Now I always wait until nights stay above 55°F. May is peak excitement in any seasonal planting calendar.

🗓️ June

By June, your garden should be in full swing. But it’s not too late to plant — in fact, this is a great time for second sowings and fast growers. It’s also when you start thinking ahead to late summer and even early autumn harvests.

🌿 Direct Sow Outdoors

• Beans (bush and pole) – Sow every few weeks for continuous harvests.
• Corn – Still time for another round if you’re in a warmer zone.
• Cucumbers – Quick growers that thrive in heat.
• Zucchini and summer squash – Direct sow more now to keep harvests going.
• Melons and pumpkins – Just enough time in most areas if planted early this month.
• Okra – Loves the heat, so June is prime time.

🥬 Great for Quick Crops

• Lettuce (heat-tolerant varieties)
• Radishes
• Spinach (in cooler zones or partial shade)
• Basil – Sow fresh every 3–4 weeks to keep it from bolting.

🌼 Flowers to Sow

• Sunflowers
• Zinnias
• Cosmos
• Nasturtiums

🔥 Quick Tip

Water deeply, not frequently. The summer sun can dry out the topsoil fast, so make sure you’re watering at the roots. Mulch around your plants to keep moisture in and suppress weeds. June is the midpoint of the seasonal planting calendar, with succession sowing.

🗓️ July

It’s hot, your garden’s producing, and it’s easy to think the planting phase is over — but it’s not. July is your secret weapon for a strong late summer and early autumn harvest.

🌿 Direct Sow Outdoors

• Beans (bush) – Still time for a final round in most zones.
• Carrots – Sow now for a crisp autumn harvest.
• Beets and turnips – Get them in now for cooler weather maturity.
• Lettuce (heat-tolerant varieties or plant in partial shade)
• Radishes – Fast turnaround, ideal for succession sowing.

🌱 Start Indoors for Fall

• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Brussels sprouts

These need time to mature, so starting them indoors now gives you strong transplants for late summer planting.

🛡️ Quick Tip

Heat can make germination tricky – water daily and consider covering new seedlings with shade cloth or cardboard until they establish. Don’t be surprised if some greens bolt early; it’s just nature’s way of saying it’s hot out. I once skipped July planting, and my fall harvest was empty. Adding carrots and beets mid-summer totally changed my garden. July ensures late harvests in your seasonal planting calendar.

🗓️ August

August can feel like the end of the season, but it’s actually the beginning of your autumn harvest. With warm soil and longer daylight still in play, it’s a great time to plant fast-maturing crops and get cool-weather vegetables started.

🌿 Direct Sow Outdoors

• Lettuce, spinach, and arugula – Choose cool-season varieties and plant in partial shade.
• Radishes
• Turnips
• Beets
• Carrots
• Kale and chard – Hardy greens that love cooler days ahead.
• Bush beans – One last round, especially in warmer zones.

🌱 Transplant Outdoors

• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Brussels sprouts

These should be seedlings by now (started in July) and can go in the ground for a strong autumn yield.

🍂 Quick Tip

Late summer heat can still be intense. Water deeply and consistently, and consider using shade cloth over young seedlings during hot afternoons. This gives them a better chance to establish before temperatures drop. August is transition month in the seasonal planting calendar.

🗓️ September

September is when the garden starts to slow down — but smart planting now sets you up for fresh autumn harvests and even overwintering crops in milder climates. If you’ve got empty space, don’t let it sit idle.

🌿 Direct Sow Outdoors

• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Arugula
• Radishes
• Turnips
• Mustard greens
• Asian greens (like bok choy and tatsoi)

These cool-weather lovers will grow quickly in the mild days and crisp nights of early autumn.

🧅 In Warmer Zones (8–11), You Can Also Sow:

• Garlic (late September)
• Onions (from seed or sets)
• Carrots and beets – If your frost comes late, these can still make it.

🪴 Quick Tip

Days are getting shorter, so plant in full sun and don’t delay — speed matters now. Also, think about using cold frames or row covers if you want to stretch your harvests into winter. September keeps your seasonal planting calendar productive into fall.

🗓️ October

October feels like wind-down mode, but there’s still plenty you can do to prepare for winter and even early spring. It’s all about low-maintenance crops and prepping your soil for what’s next.

🧄 Direct Sow Outdoors

• Garlic – This is the main event. Plant cloves now for a midsummer harvest next year. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension details best practices for planting garlic in fall.
• Shallots
• Onion sets – In mild climates (zones 7–9), you can overwinter them.

🌿 Still Time to Sow (in mild zones or with protection)

• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Mustard greens
• Radishes

These grow fast and tolerate light frosts — especially under cold frames or row covers.

🌾 Cover Crops (Green Manure)

• Clover
• Winter rye
• Field peas

Sowing a cover crop helps build soil health, prevent erosion, and suppress weeds. Come spring, you can turn it into the soil for added nutrients.

🍁 Quick Tip

Use leaf mulch or straw to insulate beds, protect young seedlings, and improve your soil over winter. It’s cheap, effective, and your spring garden will thank you. Planting garlic in October became a tradition for me. Nothing beats harvesting big bulbs the following summer. October brings garlic into the seasonal planting calendar.

🗓️ November

November is less about planting and more about protecting, planning, and planting for the long game. But depending on where you live, there are still a few things you can pop into the soil.

🧄 Plant Outdoors

• Garlic – If you didn’t get to it in October, now’s your last chance before the ground freezes.
• Shallots and overwintering onions – In zones 7–9, these can go in now.

🌱 Still Possible (with Protection or in Warmer Zones)

• Spinach
• Lettuce (cold-hardy varieties)
• Radishes

Use row covers, cloches, or cold frames to protect against frost and give these one last push before winter.

🌿 Garden Maintenance Tasks

• Clear out dead plants and compost disease-free materials.
• Mulch beds heavily to protect soil over winter.
• Clean and store tools, seed trays, and pots.

🧠 Quick Tip

Start a garden journal or note app if you haven’t already. Log what worked, what didn’t, and what you want to try next year. These notes will save you frustration and money down the line. November protects crops in the seasonal planting calendar.

🗓️ December

December is the garden’s quiet season — and yours, too. The ground may be frozen, but there’s still plenty happening under the surface and in your plans for next year.

🧄 Last-Chance Garlic (Zones 7–9)

• If the ground isn’t frozen, you can still tuck garlic cloves in. Just cover with mulch for insulation.

🌿 Indoor Gardening Options

• Herbs – Try growing basil, parsley, or mint on a sunny windowsill.
• Microgreens – Quick to sprout and full of nutrients; great for salads or sandwiches.
• Lettuce – Some fast-growing varieties can thrive indoors under grow lights.

🧰 Off-Season Tasks

• Review your seed stash and toss anything out of date.
• Order seed catalogues and start your 2025 wishlist.
• Reflect on your garden layout — what worked? What flopped?
• Make compost with your holiday veg scraps.

🕯️ Quick Tip

Don’t underestimate the power of planning. A little winter dreaming now sets you up for a calmer, more intentional spring. Plus, it’s a great time to build raised beds, fix fences, or finally label those mystery perennials. December closes the seasonal planting calendar with planning and reflection.

🌟 Top Tips for Success with Your Seasonal Planting Calendar

The following seasonal gardening tips will help you adapt this calendar to your climate and keep your garden productive. Keeping your garden productive is easier when you follow a seasonal planting calendar consistently. Here are some proven tips to make seasonal planting feel less like a puzzle and more like a rhythm.

🗓️ 1. Know Your Growing Zone

Before anything else, find your USDA Hardiness Zone. This determines your frost dates, what survives the winter, and how early (or late) you can plant. Most seed packets and planting charts reference these zones.

📔 2. Keep a Garden Journal

Write down what you plant, when you plant it, and how it did. It doesn’t have to be pretty — even quick notes in your phone will help you spot patterns, remember timing, and avoid repeat mistakes.

⏳ 3. Think in Successions

Don’t plant all your lettuce or beans at once. Sow small batches every 2–3 weeks so you’re not overwhelmed with harvests — and you keep your beds productive longer.

🌱 4. Don’t Fear Starting Indoors

Many crops need a head start before your soil is warm enough. A few trays, a sunny window, or a cheap grow light can seriously expand your growing season.

🛡️ 5. Use Protection

Row covers, cloches, mulch, and cold frames are game-changers. For more protection strategies, the National Center for Home Food Preservation shares reliable seasonal gardening and storage tips. They let you start earlier, plant later, and protect tender crops from frost, pests, or too much sun.

🔁 6. Rotate and Rest Your Beds

Rotating where you plant each crop each year helps prevent disease and pest build-up. And giving a bed a season of rest (with a cover crop or mulch) can improve soil health dramatically.

🧠 7. Be Flexible

Weather shifts. Seeds don’t germinate. Plans change. Gardening is responsive, not rigid. Use this calendar as your guide, not gospel. The more you adapt, the better you’ll grow.

🌻 Final Thoughts: Every Month is a Fresh Start

Gardening isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about paying attention, staying curious, and working with the seasons — not against them. Every month gives you a new opportunity to grow something, whether it’s a handful of spinach, a whole bed of tomatoes, or just your confidence as a gardener.

So if you’ve ever felt behind, unsure, or overwhelmed, remember: the garden doesn’t care when you start. It just wants you to try.

Use this seasonal planting calendar as your guide, adjust to your zone, and trust your instincts. Every gardener develops their own rhythm, but a seasonal planting calendar provides the foundation. Over time, the rhythm of what to grow — and when — will start to feel natural. Looking back at my own notes, using a seasonal planting calendar has made me less stressed and far more consistent year after year.

Even one herb planted today means you’re using your seasonal planting calendar successfully. And hey, if all you grow this month is one little herb on your windowsill? That still counts.

❓ FAQ: Seasonal Planting Calendar USA