Recommended Planting Dates - Regional Guides for Mid-Atlantic

Sep 22, 2026

Recommended Planting Dates provides practical timing guidance for planting across the inland plains, coastal, and mountain gardening regions of the mid-Atlantic. It references typical mid-Atlantic frost dates and explains how to shift schedules earlier or later based on local frost timing. The guide also recommends using row covers for extending the season and gives region-specific adjustments for spring and fall crops, including cooling- and hot-season planting considerations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLifestyle

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Recommended Planting Dates

Region adjustment guidance

Coastal Gardens

Mountain Gardens

Crop planting calendar by start method

# Recommended Planting Dates Weve found the dates below to be the best times to plant in the inland plains of the mid-Atlantic,based on our experience in central Virginia(zone 7a,average last spring frost April 15,average first fall frost October 15).Adjust according to your own frost dates.Row cover canallowfor planting 1-2 weeks earlier in the spring and 1-2 weeks later for fall harvest inall regions.We consider the mid-Atlantic to be divided into 3distinct gardening regions:inland plains,coastal,and mountain.Use these guidelnes to adjust dates for your region: Coastal Gardens:Mild winters allow forplanting spring crops up to 2-4 weeksearlier in late winter and early spring.Continue to plant cool-season fallcrops upto 2-4 weeks later in summer and fall. Mountain Gardens:You may need to delay plantings up to 2-4 weeks later in the late winter and early spring to allow the soil to warm and dry out.Take advantage of long springs by planting cool-season spring crops up to 2-4 weeks later.Discontinue fall plantings up to 2-4 weeks earlier to ensure adequate time before frosts.Hot-season crops should be planted early enough to ensure adequate heat and time for maturation, but be sure to allow the soil to adequately warm.Choose faster-maturing varieties for hot-season crops. sow indoors Feb 21-Mar 21, Collards Artichoke direct sow Mar 10-Sept 1 Southern Peas direct sow May 7-Jul 25 transplant out Apr 21-May 21 Corn direct sow Apr 21-Jul 15 sow indoors Mar 7-Apr 21 Peppers Beans,Bush direct sow Apr 15-Aug 1 transplant out May 7-Jun 21 Cucumbers direct sow May 1-Jul 21 Beans,Pole direct sow Apr 15-Jul 15 transplant out Mar 15-Apr 15, sow indoors Mar 7-Apr 21 Potatoes Eggplants Beans,Lima direct sow May 7-Jul 25 Jun 1-25(mulch) transplant out May 7-Jun 21 direct sow Mar 15-Jun 15,Aug direct sow Mar 10-Jun 1,Aug direct sow Mar 15-Apr 15,Jul Radishes Beets Endive 15-Sept 15 1-Nov 1 21-Sept 15 direct sow Mar 10-Jul 1 Rutabaga direct sow Aug 1-Aug 21 Garlic plant bulbs Oct 15-Nov 15 Broccoli direct sow Mar 1-Apr 21,Sept sow indoors Jan 31-May 31, direct sow Mar 10-Apr 15,Jul Spinach Kale 1-Oct 1 transplant out Mar 15-Jul 15 21-Sept 15 Summer direct sow May 1-Jun 1 direct sow Mar 10-Apr 15,Jul Brussels Kohlrabi Squash direct sow Apr 21-Jul 21 15-Aug 21 sow indoors Apr 1-May 15, Sprouts &Zucchini transplant out May 15-Jun 15 direct sow Mar 10-Jun 1,Aug Lettuce Winter 7-Sept 21 direct sow Mar 10-Jul 15 Squash & direct sow May 1-Jun 10 Cabbage Muskmelon direct sow May 1-Jun 15 Pumpkins sow indoors Jan 31-Jul 1, transplant out Mar 15-Aug 1 direct sow Mar 10-May 1,Jul Sunflowers direct sow Apr 15-Jul7 Mustards 25-Oct 1 Cabbage, direct sow Mar 10-Apr 7,Jul Sweet transplant out May 15-Jun 21 Chinese 15-Aug 15 Okra direct sow May 1-Jul 1 Potatoes direct sow Mar 10-May 1,Jul sow in cold frame Nov 10- Swiss Chard direct sow Mar 15-Aug 1 Carrots 25-Aug 15 Onions,Bulb Dec 1(or indoors Jan 1-Jan 21), sow indoors Feb 21-May 7 transplant out Mar 1-Mar 21 Tomatoes Cauliflower sow indoors Jan 31-Mar 7 transplant out Apr 21-Jun 21 (spring) transplant out Mar 15-Apr7 Onion, plant bubs Oct 15-Nov 15 direct sow Mar 10-Apr 15,Aug Multiplier Turnips Caulifower 7-Oct 1 direct sow Jun 1-Jul 1 (fall) Parsnips direct sow Mar 1-May 1 Watermelon direct sow May 1-Jun 10 sow indoors Jan 21-Feb 15 direct sow Mar 1-Apr 15,Jul Celery & Peas move to cold frame Mar 1-MarCeleriac15,transplant out May 1-Jun 1. 15-Aug 1

FAQs

How should planting dates be adjusted for local conditions?

Use your own frost dates to adjust the recommended schedule. The guide also notes row cover can enable planting 1-2 weeks earlier in spring and 1-2 weeks later for fall harvests.

What guidance does the document give for coastal gardens?

Coastal gardens can plant spring crops up to 2-4 weeks earlier in late winter and early spring. Cool-season fall crops can continue up to 2-4 weeks later into summer and fall.

Why does the document suggest delaying plantings in mountain gardens?

Mountain gardens may need to delay 2-4 weeks late in winter and early spring so soil can warm and dry. It recommends taking advantage of long springs for later cool-season crops and shortening fall plantings to ensure adequate time before frosts.

Sep 22, 2026

Upload by Nguyễn Văn Học