Knowing when to start seeds and when to transplant them into your garden will help you maximize your harvest. The rules for when to plant vary by region and average temperatures, but knowing your zone can be a helpful guideline. Zone 5 includes areas of the midwest, including most of Illinois; Des Moines, Iowa; Columbia, Mo.; and Mansfield, Penn.
The last average frost date in Zone 5 is around April 15. Frost-tender plants should not be brought outside until after that date. Use common sense as well, if it seems unseasonably cold for April, wait until temperatures warm up before you start planting.
What to plant and when in Zone 5 (adapted from thevegetablegarden.info):
|
—Crop Type — |
–Days to–
Maturity |
–Spring–
Planting Dates |
–Fall–
Planting Dates |
| Asparagus | 2nd season | Apr 5 – 25 | |||||
| Bean, bush | 50-60 | Apr 25 – May 30 | July 25-Aug 5 | ||||
| Bean, pole | 65-75 | May 10 – 20 | |||||
| Bean, lima | 65-75 | May 10 -25 | |||||
| Beet | 55-65 | Apr 1 – 15 | Aug 1 – Sept 25 | ||||
| Broccoli | 60-80 | Mar 25 – Apr 5 | Sept. 25 – 30 | ||||
| Cabbage | 65-80 | Apr 1 – 20 | Sept 20 -30 | ||||
| Cantaloupe | 80-90 | May 10 – 20 | |||||
| Carrot | 70-80 | Mar 25 – Apr 10 | Sept 20 -30 | ||||
| Cauliflower | 55-60 | Apr 1 – 20 | Sept 20 – 30 | ||||
| Collard | 55-70 | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | |||||
| Corn | 80-100 | May 1 – July 20 | |||||
| Cucumber | 60-65 | May 10 – 30 | |||||
| Eggplant | 75-90 | May 15 – 25 | |||||
| Kale | 50-70 | Mar 25 – Apr 5 | |||||
| Kohlrabi | 50-70 | Apr 1 – 15 | Sept 20 – 25 | ||||
| Lettuce | 60-85 | Apr 1 – May 15 | Sept 1 – 15 | ||||
| Mustard | 40-50 | Mar 25 – May 1 | Aug 1 – 30 | ||||
| Okra | 55-60 | May 10 – 25 | |||||
| Onion (mature) | 100-120 | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Sept. 1-Dec. 31 | ||||
| Peas, garden | 60-80 | Mar 25 – Apr 10 | |||||
| Peas, southern | 60-70 | May 1 – 15 | - | ||||
| Pepper | 65-80 | May 15 – 30 | - | ||||
| Potato, Irish | 70-90 | Apr 1 – 15 | |||||
| Potato, sweet | 90-150 | May 15-June 5 | - | ||||
| Radish | 25-30 | Mar 25 – May 1 | Aug 1- 20 | ||||
| Spinach | 40-45 | Apr 1 – 20 | Aug 10 – Sept 20 | ||||
| Squash, bush | 50-55 | May 15 – 30 | |||||
| squash, winter | 85-90 | May 15 – 30 | - | ||||
| Tomato | 70-85 | May 15 – 30 | |||||
| Turnip | 45-65 | Mar 25 – May 1 | Aug 5 – Sept 20 | ||||
| Watermelon | 80-90 | May 10 – 20 |
Find more planting schedules by Zone>>>
Martha on 
Melissa Dunlap on 
Blue Duck on 
I’m starting my first home garden and its that time of year that we’re going to put our first seeds in to the ground. We do have onions, but all of the Zone 5 charts I can find say Onions (Mature). What does (mature) mean? We have a package of 100 little onion bulbs, as well as some green onions, and I’m not sure if I should plant them now or wait.
Any advice?
means it has reached its full growth or maturity.
I live in Rathdrum, Idaho, zone 5B. Can I plant hosta bulbs in the shade(North facing) now? Can I plant a white hydrangea in a resin pot(area shady but protected from the prairie winds) now? Thank you for any advice.