Zone 5a Planting Schedule
Action Plan: October in Zone 5a
Expert Note
In October, keep harvesting promptly and protect remaining plants from cool nights with row cover on frost-risk evenings. Check for late-season pests like aphids and hornworms, and remove diseased leaves to slow blight. Water deeply but less often as temperatures drop.
The Harvest
Focus on picking ripe fruit from Tomato varieties and hot peppers like Tabasco and Orange Habanero before cold weather slows ripening. Harvest Aji Golden and Trinidad Moruga Scorpion when fully colored for best flavor and heat. Remove any damaged fruit to reduce disease.
Planting Schedule
Add crops from the list below to build your planting schedule.| Crop | Indoor Start | Transplant / Sow | Harvest Window | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artichoke | Feb 13th | Apr 24th | Sep 21st – Sep 30th | |
| Giant Red Celery | Feb 13th | Jun 19th | Sep 17th – Sep 30th | |
| Green Sleeves | Feb 13th | Jun 19th | Sep 17th – Sep 30th | |
| Gros Vert de Laon | Feb 13th | May 1st | Jul 30th – Sep 30th | |
| Kojak | Feb 13th | Apr 24th | Aug 22nd – Sep 30th | |
| Verina | Feb 13th | Mar 27th | Jul 5th – Sep 30th | |
| African Sunset | Feb 27th | May 8th | Aug 6th – Sep 30th | |
| Alabaster | Feb 27th | May 1st | Aug 29th – Sep 30th | |
| Albin | Feb 27th | May 1st | Aug 29th – Sep 30th | |
| Amsterdam | Feb 27th | May 1st | Jul 25th – Sep 30th | |
| Amsterdam Cutting | Feb 27th | May 8th | Jul 17th – Sep 30th | |
| Amsterdam Seasoning | Feb 27th | May 1st | Jul 10th – Sep 30th | |
| Apollo | Feb 27th | May 1st | Aug 29th – Sep 30th | |
| Artichaut de Nice | Feb 27th | May 1st | Aug 29th – Sep 30th | |
| Artichoke de Marseille | Feb 27th | Jun 19th | Sep 17th – Sep 30th | |
| Atlas Angel | Feb 27th | May 1st | Jul 10th – Sep 30th | |
| Baby Artichoke | Feb 27th | May 1st | Jul 25th – Sep 30th | |
| Balder | Feb 27th | May 8th | Aug 21st – Sep 30th | |
| Bandit | Feb 27th | May 1st | Aug 29th – Sep 30th | |
| Beijing White | Feb 27th | May 1st | Jul 20th – Sep 30th | |
| Bing Select | Feb 27th | Apr 24th | Jul 3rd – Sep 30th | |
| Blue Solaise | Feb 27th | May 1st | Aug 19th – Sep 30th | |
| Bordeaux | Feb 27th | May 8th | Jul 22nd – Sep 30th | |
| Bullseye Salmon | Feb 27th | May 1st | Jul 10th – Sep 30th | |
| Cabernet | Feb 27th | May 1st | Aug 19th – Sep 30th | |
| Carmen F1 | Feb 27th | May 1st | Aug 14th – Sep 30th | |
| Cascade Blue | Feb 27th | May 8th | Jul 17th – Sep 30th | |
| Catanese | Feb 27th | Jul 3rd | Oct 31st – Sep 30th | |
| Celebration | Feb 27th | Apr 24th | Jul 13th – Sep 30th | |
| Celeriac | Feb 27th | Apr 24th | Jul 23rd – Sep 30th |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the frost dates for Zone Zone 5a?
In Zone Zone 5a, the average last spring frost is May 8th and the average first fall frost is Sep 30th.
When is the best time to start seeds indoors in Zone Zone 5a?
The best time to start most seeds indoors is 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date of May 8th.
How long is the growing season in Zone Zone 5a?
Zone Zone 5a has a growing season of approximately 145 days.