← Growing Guide

USDA Zone 5

Cold winters with a solid summer. Most common vegetables work with timing care.

Climate Overview

What to expect

  • Cold winters, reliably below freezing
  • Frost-free window of roughly 140 to 160 days
  • Last frost mid-May; first frost early-to-mid October
  • A full range of warm-season crops works with a head start indoors

What Grows Well

TomatoesPeppersBeansSquashCucumbersCornKaleBroccoliCabbagePeasCarrotsBeetsLettuceMost herbs

Seeds To Stock

  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Beans
  • Squash
  • Cucumbers
  • Corn
  • Peas
  • Kale
  • Broccoli
  • Lettuce
  • Carrots
  • Beets
  • Onions
  • Garlic

Direct Sow Suggestions

  • Peas
  • Spinach
  • Lettuce
  • Radishes
  • Carrots
  • Beets
  • Beans (after frost)
  • Corn

Tray Start Suggestions

  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Eggplant
  • Squash
  • Broccoli
  • Onions

Monthly Planning

Current month is highlighted. Click any month to see the plan.

USDA Zone 5

JuneThis month

Plant Now

  • Beans
  • Summer squash
  • Cucumbers
  • Sunflowers
  • Carrots
  • Beets

Start In Trays

Nothing this month.

Harvest

  • Spring greens
  • Radishes

Prepare Next

  • Transplant tomatoes with protection
  • Succession-sow greens

Common Challenges

Watch out for

  • Spring frost risk into May
  • Cold soil early
  • Fitting long-season crops in
  • Fall frost timing

Near Anderson, Redding, or Red Bluff, California? Our local guides go a lot deeper than this zone overview.