Frost Date Planner

Frost date planning helps you determine when it is safe to transplant seedlings outdoors and when to start seeds indoors.

Safe Planting Date = Last Frost Date + Weeks After Frost

Indoor Start Date = Safe Planting Date - Indoor Weeks

Plant categories and timing:

• Hardy (lettuce, peas, spinach): Can plant 2–4 weeks before last frost; start indoors 6–8 weeks before planting
• Semi-hardy (broccoli, cabbage, beets): Plant around last frost date; start indoors 6–8 weeks before planting
• Tender (tomatoes, peppers, squash): Plant 1–2 weeks after last frost; start indoors 6–8 weeks before planting
• Very tender (melons, cucumbers, basil): Plant 2–4 weeks after last frost; start indoors 3–4 weeks before planting

Finding your frost date:

• Check your USDA hardiness zone or local extension office
• Use historical frost data for your zip code
• When in doubt, add an extra week of safety margin