What Should i Plant in the Spring? Detailed Guide (Zones 3-9)
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Time to read 3 min
Spring is just around the corner, and knowing your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone is the secret to gardening success! This simple number (3-9 for most US regions) helps you select plants that will thrive in your specific climate.
Not sure what grows best in your area? Your plant hardiness zone is the key to success!
Simply:
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Visit https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ (This is an official USDA government website)
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Enter your ZIP code
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Discover which plants will thrive in your specific climate with attached haverst schedule images! (We made it for you!)
Before purchasing seeds or plants, take a moment to check your zone—it's the first step toward a thriving garden and will save you time, money, and disappointment. Your zone is the roadmap to working with nature, not against it, as you prepare for a beautiful and productive growing season.
Zone 3 (-40°F to -30°F)
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Temperature Range:
-40°F to -30°F (-40°C to -34.4°C)
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Growing Season:
Short, typically 90-120 days
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Frost-Free Period:
Late May to early September
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Characteristics:
Long, harsh winters; cool, short summers
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Best Plants:
Cold-hardy vegetables (cabbage, carrots, potatoes), berries (raspberries, strawberries), apple varieties, cold-tolerant flowers (peonies, daylilies)
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Planting Tips:
Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost; use season extenders like cold frames
- Regions: Northern Minnesota, North Dakota, parts of Montana, northern Wisconsin
Click Image to download!
Zone 4 (-30°F to -20°F)
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Temperature Range:
-30°F to -20°F (-34.4°C to -28.9°C)
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Growing Season:
120-150 days
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Frost-Free Period:
Mid-May to late September
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Characteristics:
Cold winters; warming earlier in spring than Zone 3
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Best Plants:
Root vegetables, cole crops, hardy fruits (apples, plums, cherries), perennials (hostas, black-eyed Susans)
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Planting Tips:
Consider microclimate variations; use mulch for winter protection
- Regions: Southern Minnesota, northern Michigan, parts of New York state, Vermont, Wyoming
Click Image to download!
Zone 5 (-20°F to -10°F)
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Temperature Range:
-20°F to -10°F (-28.9°C to -23.3°C)
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Growing Season:
150-180 days
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Frost-Free Period:
Late April/early May to early October
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Characteristics:
Cold winters but more moderate than Zone 4; distinct four seasons
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Best Plants:
Wider variety of vegetables, many fruit trees, ornamental trees and shrubs
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Planting Tips:
Start warm-season crops indoors; plant cool-season crops directly in early spring
- Regions: Colorado, parts of New England, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, parts of Pennsylvania
Click Image to download!
Zone 6 (-10°F to 0°F)
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Temperature Range:
-10°F to 0°F (-23.3°C to -17.8°C)
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Growing Season:
180-200 days
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Frost-Free Period:
Mid-April to late October
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Characteristics:
Moderate winters; warm, sometimes humid summers
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Best Plants:
Most vegetables and herbs, many fruit varieties, diverse ornamental plants
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Planting Tips:
Succession planting works well; consider fall gardening
- Regions: Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Missouri, parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey
Click Image to download!
Zone 7 (0°F to 10°F)
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Temperature Range:
0°F to 10°F (-17.8°C to -12.2°C)
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Growing Season:
200-220 days
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Frost-Free Period:
Early April to early November
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Characteristics:
Mild winters; hot, often humid summers
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Best Plants:
Heat-loving vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant), many fruit trees, various perennials and shrubs
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Planting Tips:
Two growing seasons possible; plant cool-season crops in early spring and fall
- Regions: Virginia, North Carolina, parts of Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, northern Texas
Click Image to download!
Zone 8 (10°F to 20°F)
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Temperature Range:
10°F to 20°F (-12.2°C to -6.7°C)
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Growing Season:
220-240 days
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Frost-Free Period:
Late March to mid-November
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Characteristics:
Short, mild winters; long, hot summers
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Best Plants:
Subtropical fruits begin to thrive, citrus in protected locations, warm-season vegetables
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Planting Tips:
Summer heat can be challenging; focus on heat-tolerant varieties and provide afternoon shade
- Regions: Most of the Southeast, including parts of Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Texas coast, parts of California and the Pacific Northwest
Click Image to download!
Zone 9 (20°F to 30°F)
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Temperature Range:
20°F to 30°F (-6.7°C to -1.1°C)
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Growing Season:
240-270 days
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Frost-Free Period:
Late February to early December
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Characteristics:
Very mild winters; hot, often humid summers (varies by region)
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Best Plants:
Citrus, avocados, tropical and subtropical plants, year-round vegetable growing
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Planting Tips:
Focus on heat management; winter is often the prime growing season for many crops
- Regions: Florida, southern Texas, central to southern California, parts of Arizona
Click Image to download!
General Gardening Tips for All Zones
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Know your microclimate: Local conditions like hills, buildings, and water bodies can create areas that are warmer or cooler than your general zone.
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Start with native plants: They're adapted to your local conditions and generally require less maintenance.
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Soil preparation: Good soil is the foundation of a successful garden regardless of your zone.
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Compost use: As you mentioned in your Facebook post, compost from Reencle provides essential nutrients for plants in any zone.
- Mulching: Helps regulate soil temperature and retain moisture in all zones.
The Author: SungHo Park
Hi, I’m Sung, as a dedicated writer for Reencle, i want to share insights on sustainable living and practical ways to create a regenerative cycle between kitchen and garden. With a deep belief in the power of nature to renew and sustain itself, my goal is to inspire readers to take small, meaningful steps toward a greener future.
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