Zone 5b Planting Schedule
Action Plan: October in Zone 5b
Expert Note
In October, keep soil evenly moist but avoid waterlogged beds; cool nights slow growth. Watch for late-season pests like aphids and caterpillars, and protect tender plants with row cover when frost threatens.
The Harvest
Harvest peppers as they ripen, starting with the most mature fruit on Tabasco, Howden, and Jarrahdale. Pick regularly from Trinidad Moruga Scorpion and Bhut Jolokia types before hard frost to prevent damage and improve storage quality.
Planting Schedule
Add crops from the list below to build your planting schedule.| Crop | Indoor Start | Transplant / Sow | Harvest Window | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cynara scolymus 'Italian' | Jan 26th | May 4th | Oct 1st – Oct 5th | |
| Artichoke | Feb 9th | Apr 20th | Sep 17th – Oct 5th | |
| Giant Red Celery | Feb 9th | Jun 15th | Sep 13th – Oct 5th | |
| Green Sleeves | Feb 9th | Jun 15th | Sep 13th – Oct 5th | |
| Gros Vert de Laon | Feb 9th | Apr 27th | Jul 26th – Oct 5th | |
| Kojak | Feb 9th | Apr 20th | Aug 18th – Oct 5th | |
| Verina | Feb 9th | Mar 23rd | Jul 1st – Oct 5th | |
| African Sunset | Feb 23rd | May 4th | Aug 2nd – Oct 5th | |
| Alabaster | Feb 23rd | Apr 27th | Aug 25th – Oct 5th | |
| Albin | Feb 23rd | Apr 27th | Aug 25th – Oct 5th | |
| Amsterdam | Feb 23rd | Apr 27th | Jul 21st – Oct 5th | |
| Amsterdam Cutting | Feb 23rd | May 4th | Jul 13th – Oct 5th | |
| Amsterdam Seasoning | Feb 23rd | Apr 27th | Jul 6th – Oct 5th | |
| Apollo | Feb 23rd | Apr 27th | Aug 25th – Oct 5th | |
| Artichaut de Nice | Feb 23rd | Apr 27th | Aug 25th – Oct 5th | |
| Artichoke de Marseille | Feb 23rd | Jun 15th | Sep 13th – Oct 5th | |
| Atlas Angel | Feb 23rd | Apr 27th | Jul 6th – Oct 5th | |
| Baby Artichoke | Feb 23rd | Apr 27th | Jul 21st – Oct 5th | |
| Balder | Feb 23rd | May 4th | Aug 17th – Oct 5th | |
| Bandit | Feb 23rd | Apr 27th | Aug 25th – Oct 5th | |
| Beijing White | Feb 23rd | Apr 27th | Jul 16th – Oct 5th | |
| Bing Select | Feb 23rd | Apr 20th | Jun 29th – Oct 5th | |
| Blue Solaise | Feb 23rd | Apr 27th | Aug 15th – Oct 5th | |
| Bordeaux | Feb 23rd | May 4th | Jul 18th – Oct 5th | |
| Bullseye Salmon | Feb 23rd | Apr 27th | Jul 6th – Oct 5th | |
| Cabernet | Feb 23rd | Apr 27th | Aug 15th – Oct 5th | |
| Carmen F1 | Feb 23rd | Apr 27th | Aug 10th – Oct 5th | |
| Cascade Blue | Feb 23rd | May 4th | Jul 13th – Oct 5th | |
| Catanese | Feb 23rd | Jun 29th | Oct 27th – Oct 5th | |
| Celebration | Feb 23rd | Apr 20th | Jul 9th – Oct 5th |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the frost dates for Zone Zone 5b?
In Zone Zone 5b, the average last spring frost is May 4th and the average first fall frost is Oct 5th.
When is the best time to start seeds indoors in Zone Zone 5b?
The best time to start most seeds indoors is 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date of May 4th.
How long is the growing season in Zone Zone 5b?
Zone Zone 5b has a growing season of approximately 154 days.