Southeast vegetable planting guide
Hot, humid summers and short winters. Spring and fall are the prime vegetable windows; summer suits okra, southern peas, and sweet potatoes.
FROST-FREE DAYS
185–225
USDA ZONES
5b–9a
LAST SPRING FROST RANGE
March 25 – April 18
States in this region
North Carolina calendar →South Carolina calendar →Georgia calendar →Tennessee calendar →Kentucky calendar →
Representative planting calendar
Based on North Carolina (203 frost-free days) — near the middle of this region. Pick your state above, or use the generator with your ZIP for exact dates.
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow / transplant out | First harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celeriac | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 29 – Apr 15 | Jul 14 – Aug 3 |
| Onion | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 8 – Mar 25 | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Leek | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Jun 30 – Aug 19 |
| Celery | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 15 | Jul 14 – Aug 23 |
| Rosemary | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Eggplant | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 6 | Jun 30 – Jul 20 |
| Parsley | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | May 31 – Jun 20 |
| Shallot | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 25 | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Bell Pepper | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Chili Pepper | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 1 – Mar 18 | May 7 – May 27 |
| Thyme | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 15 | Jun 19 – Jul 4 |
| Oregano | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 15 | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Mint | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Jun 7 – Jun 27 |
| Sage | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 15 | Jun 19 – Jul 4 |
| Tarragon | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Ginger | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 19 – May 6 | Dec 22 – Feb 20 |
| Turmeric | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 19 – May 6 | Dec 22 – Feb 20 |
| Tomato | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Jun 11 – Jul 6 |
| Tomatillo | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Jun 26 – Jul 21 |
| Ground Cherry | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Jun 21 – Jul 11 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Jun 11 – Jul 1 |
| Lemon Balm | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Jun 7 – Jun 27 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Jun 21 – Jul 11 |
| Kale | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 8 – Mar 25 | May 4 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | May 21 – Jun 15 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | May 21 – Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 8 – Mar 25 | May 14 – Jun 23 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Okra | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Jun 8 – Jun 23 |
| Basil | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Collard Greens | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 25 | May 9 – May 29 |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 14 |
| Endive & Escarole | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Jun 15 – Jun 30 |
| Radicchio | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | May 21 – Jun 30 |
| Chayote | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Aug 17 – Sep 16 |
| Malabar Spinach | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Jun 13 – Jun 28 |
| Summer Savory | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Jun 6 – Jun 21 |
| Pea | — | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Apr 25 – May 10 |
| Spinach | — | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Apr 7 – Apr 15 |
| Mache (Corn Salad) | — | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Apr 15 – Apr 30 |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Apr 21 – May 21 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | May 11 – May 21 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | Apr 26 – May 11 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | Jun 2 – Jun 27 |
| Napa Cabbage | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | May 11 – Jun 5 |
| Bitter Melon | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Jun 13 – Jul 3 |
| Cucamelon | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Jun 1 – Jun 21 |
| Peanut | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Jul 21 – Sep 9 |
| Watercress | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | May 11 – May 21 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Jul 18 – Sep 16 |
| Beet | — | Mar 3 – Mar 22 | Apr 27 – May 17 |
| Radish | — | Mar 3 – Mar 22 | Mar 30 – Apr 7 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 3 – Mar 22 | Apr 7 – Apr 17 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | — | Mar 3 – Mar 22 | May 22 – Jun 6 |
| Tatsoi | — | Mar 3 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 27 |
| Mizuna | — | Mar 3 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 22 |
| Cucumber | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Jun 8 – Jun 28 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | May 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter Squash | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Jul 1 – Jul 31 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Jun 28 – Jul 18 |
| Watermelon | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Rhubarb | — | Mar 8 – Mar 25 | — |
| Horseradish | — | Mar 8 – Mar 25 | — |
| Sunflower | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Carrot | — | Mar 10 – Mar 29 | May 14 – Jun 3 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 10 – Mar 29 | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Mustard Greens | — | Mar 10 – Mar 29 | Apr 14 – Apr 29 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | — | Mar 10 – Mar 29 | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Chervil | — | Mar 10 – Mar 29 | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Chives | — | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | — |
| Asparagus | — | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | — |
| Sorrel | — | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | — |
| Potato | — | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | May 31 – Jul 20 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | — | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | May 6 – May 31 |
| Salsify | — | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Jul 10 – Aug 19 |
| Borage | — | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | May 16 – Jun 5 |
| Globe Artichoke | — | Mar 22 – Apr 8 | — |
| Parsnip | — | Mar 24 – Apr 12 | Jul 7 – Aug 6 |
| Dill | — | Mar 31 – Apr 19 | May 15 – Jun 4 |
| Bush Bean | — | Apr 7 – Apr 26 | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Pole Bean | — | Apr 7 – Apr 26 | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Sweet Corn | — | Apr 7 – Apr 26 | Jun 11 – Jul 21 |
| Edamame (Soybean) | — | Apr 7 – Apr 26 | Jun 26 – Jul 21 |
| Amaranth (Leaf) | — | Apr 7 – Apr 26 | May 12 – Jun 1 |
| Lima Bean | — | Apr 14 – May 3 | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | — | Apr 14 – May 3 | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet Potato | — | Apr 19 – May 6 | Jul 25 – Aug 24 |
| Rutabaga | — | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — |