Gardening in USDA Zone 5
Your complete guide to growing vegetables, herbs, and fruits in Zone 5. Find the best varieties for your climate and get zone-specific planting dates.
Last Frost
April 30
Safe to plant after
First Frost
October 5
Harvest before
Growing Season
155 days
Varieties
288
across 15 categories
Growing Season
Plant after April 30 · Harvest before October 5
Zone 5 Coverage
What to Grow in Zone 5
Best Alliums for Zone 5
17 varieties
Onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, and chives.
Best Beans & Legumes for Zone 5
20 varieties
Bush beans, pole beans, lentils, and more. Easy-to-grow protein for every garden.
Best Berries & Fruits for Zone 5
17 varieties
Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and small fruits for the home garden.
Best Brassicas for Zone 5
19 varieties
Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi.
Best Corn for Zone 5
20 varieties
Sweet corn, popcorn, flour corn, and ornamental varieties.
Best Eggplants for Zone 5
20 varieties
Globe, Japanese, Thai, and specialty eggplant varieties.
Best Herbs for Zone 5
18 varieties
Culinary and medicinal herbs. Growing guides from basil to thyme.
Best Lettuce & Salad Greens for Zone 5
20 varieties
Romaine, butterhead, looseleaf, and specialty salad greens for every season.
Best Melons for Zone 5
20 varieties
Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, and specialty melons.
Best Microgreens for Zone 5
17 varieties
Nutrient-dense seedlings harvested in 7-14 days. The fastest crop you can grow.
Best Peas for Zone 5
20 varieties
Snap peas, snow peas, shelling peas, and pea shoots.
Best Peppers for Zone 5
20 varieties
Hot peppers, sweet peppers, and everything in between. Find your perfect heat level.
Best Root Vegetables for Zone 5
20 varieties
Carrots, beets, turnips, radishes, and other underground crops.
Best Squash & Cucumbers for Zone 5
20 varieties
Summer squash, winter squash, zucchini, and cucumbers.
Best Tomatoes for Zone 5
20 varieties
From heirloom beefsteaks to cherry varieties. Growing guides for every tomato type.