Planning out our garden for ultimate productivity and helping to maximize growth is always a huge priority for me. This guide for how to plan a garden in zone 5 list is helpful to staying on track.

It may seem like the hustle and bustle of the summer is a distant memory. And even though the cold of winter is brutal, I’m talking below zero brutal. It doesn’t slow most of us homesteaders down.

Currently we are busy playing catch up with indoor & outdoor projects, and planning our homestead goals for the new year. Oh, and we are also in the middle of our kidding season. Which will be followed by calving. And then long hours outdoors gardening.

The cycle never ends.

But this crazy homestead life is worth it all.

How to Plan a Garden in Zone 5

We have a medium growing season and these dates will vary slightly. One huge lesson that I’ve learned during my time in Nebraska is that the weather can be unpredictable. So, its always important to pay attention to weather updates.

I took my chances last year and started our garden a little early. You know what happened, we got a totally random snow storm in the middle of May! It wasn’t a complete loss, but I should have been more patient and waited a bit.

On average in hardiness zone 5 our last/first frost dates are:

Last Frost Date: May 15

First Frost Date: October 15

And remember, these dates shared in this post are averages. They can fluctuate slightly based on the weather. Soil temperatures can also effect seed starting and sometimes there’s still snow on the ground during the recommended transplant dates. Use this guide as a reference or planning tool.

Not sure of your hardiness zone? Click here to find out!

What to Seed Start Indoors

In order for me to stay organized, I break my plans down by what I can seed start indoors and what I can direct sow in my garden.

This year is the first time that I will be seed starting in the greenhouse that my husband built last summer. So, no more random seed starts all over the house!

I’ve included both summer and fall garden start dates in this post.

February

Asparagus — Seed start: early February – end of March. Transplant: early – mid May, as long as the ground can be worked.

Celery — Seed start: mid – end February. Transplant: end of April – early May.

Eggplant — Seed start: end February. Transplant: mid – end of May.

Onions — Seed start: end February – early March. Transplant: early March – early May.

Peppers — Seed start: end February – early March. Transplant: mid – end May.

Scallions — Seed start: end February – early March. Transplant: mid – end of May.

March

Broccoli — Seed start: mid March – early April. Transplant: end April – mid May.

Brussel Sprouts — Seed start: early March – early April. Transplant: mid April – mid May.

Cabbage — Seed start: early March – early April. Transplant: mid April – mid May.

Cauliflower — Seed start: early March – early April. Transplant: mid April – mid May.

Lettuce — Seed start: early March – early April. Transplant: early April – mid May.

Tomatillos — Seed start: early – mid March. Transplant: early – late May.

Tomatoes — Seed start: early – mid March. Transplant early – late May.

July

Broccoli — Seed start: early July – mid August. Transplant: early September – early October.

Brussel Sprouts — Seed start: early July – mid August. Transplant: early September – early October.

Cabbage — Seed start: early July – mid August. Transplant: early September – early October.

Cauliflower — Seed start: early July – mid August. Transplant: early September – early October.

August

Lettuce — Seed start: early August – mid September. Transplant early September.

Direct Garden Sowing in Zone 5

Whether its a summer or fall garden, these varieties thrive best when they’re started outdoors or directly sown after that last frost date.

March

Kale — Direct sow: late March – early May.

Potatoes – Plant end of March – mid May.

April

Carrots — Direct sow: mid April – mid July.

Microgreens — Direct sow: early April – mid May.

Peas — Direct sow: early April – mid May.

Radish — Direct sow: early April – mid May.

Spinach — Direct sow: early April – end May.

Swiss chard — Direct sow: mid April – mid July.

May

Beans — Direct sow: mid May – early June.

Beets —  Direct sow: mid May – early June.

Cantaloupe — Direct sow: mid May – early June.

Corn — Direct sow: early May – early June.

Cucumbers — Direct sow: mid May – mid June.

Gourds — Direct sow: mid May – mid June.

Melons — Direct sow: mid May – mid June.

Pumpkins — Direct sow: mid May – mid June.

Squash — Direct sow: mid May – early July.

Sweet Potatoes — Direct sow: mid May – mid June.

Watermelon – Direct sow: mid May – mid June.

June

Okra — Direct sow: early June – early July.

August

Beets — Direct sow: early August – mid September.

Carrots — Direct sow: early August – mid September.

Kale — Direct sow: early – mid August.

Leeks — Direct sow: early August – mid September.

Micro greens — Direct sow: early August – mid September.

Radish — Direct sow: early August – mid September.

September

Garlic — Direct sow: early September – early October.

Succesion Planting

These vegetables are perfect for succession planting. By staggering planting or planting again after harvesting, you can set yourself up for bountiful crops.

• Beans
• Beets
• Carrots
• Corn
• Cucumbers
• Leeks
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Watermelon