Question 1

What can I plant in my garden right now?

Accepted Answer

What you can plant in your garden right now depends on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone and local frost dates. In early spring before the last frost, hardy vegetables like spinach, peas, kale, radishes, and lettuce can be direct-sown outdoors. After the final frost, tender warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, squash, and cucumbers can be transplanted outside. In autumn, garlic, winter greens, and cover crops are planted. Look up your 5-digit US ZIP Code in SowWhat to see which crops currently have open planting windows today.

Question 2

How do I find out what to plant by ZIP code?

Accepted Answer

Enter your 5-digit US ZIP Code on SowWhat to look up your official 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone and nearby NOAA weather station frost dates. The calendar calculates personalized spring and fall sowing windows for garden vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruit.

Question 3

When is it safe to plant warm-season vegetables outside?

Accepted Answer

Warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and melons should not be planted outdoors until after your local 50% median last spring frost date, ideally waiting for the 10% frost risk date when night temperatures stay consistently above 50°F (10°C).

What can I plant in Chicago right now?

Popular Crops to Plant in Chicago