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What Can Grow in Zone 3a?

Growing Zone Zone 3a
Frost-Free Days 123
Last Frost mid-May
First Frost mid-September

One of the coldest zones in the continental US. Short but productive growing season — cold-hardy vegetables and perennials shine.

Find your exact zone:

📅 Planting Calendar for Zone 3a

When to start seeds indoors and transplant outdoors, based on your frost dates.

Plant Start Indoors Transplant Out Direct Sow Harvest
🥬 Arugula — — May 15 Jun 5 – Jun 24
❤️ Beets — — May 15 Jul 4 – Jul 24
🥦 Broccoli Apr 3 May 15 — Jul 14 – Aug 3
🫛 Brussels Sprouts Mar 20 May 15 — Aug 13 – Nov 11
🥬 Cabbage Apr 3 May 15 — Jul 24 – Sep 12
🥕 Carrot — — May 15 Jul 24 – Aug 3
🥔 Celeriac Mar 6 May 15 — Sep 2 – Sep 12
🫘 Fava Beans — — May 15 Aug 3 – Aug 23
🧄 Garlic — — Oct 1 – Oct 31 Jun – Jul (following year)
🍬 Ground Cherry Apr 3 May 15 — Jul 24 – Aug 8
🥬 Kale Apr 17 May 15 — Jul 9 – Jul 29
🥬 Kohlrabi Apr 17 May 15 — Jun 29 – Jul 14
🧅 Leek Feb 20 May 15 — Aug 23 – Oct 12
🥬 Lettuce — — May 15 Jun 14 – Jul 14
🌱 Microgreens — — May 15 May 22 – Jun 5
🧅 Onion Mar 20 May 15 — Aug 13 – Sep 12
🥕 Parsnip — — May 15 Aug 23 – Sep 22
🫛 Peas — — May 15 Jul 9 – Jul 24
🥔 Potato — — May 15 Jul 24 – Sep 12
🔴 Radish — — May 15 Jun 6 – Jun 14
🥔 Rutabaga — — May 15 Aug 13 – Aug 28
🫛 Snap Peas — — May 15 Jul 14 – Jul 24
🥬 Spinach — — May 15 Jun 24 – Jul 4
🥬 Swiss Chard — — May 15 Jul 4 – Jul 14
🫛 Turnip — — May 15 Jun 29 – Jul 14
💙 Borage — — May 15 Jul 4 – Jul 14
🌿 Cilantro — — May 15 Jun 5 – Jun 29
🌿 Dill — — May 15 Jun 24 – Jul 14
🌿 French Tarragon — — May 15 Jul 14 – Aug 13
🌼 German Chamomile — — May 15 Jul 14 – Aug 13
🍃 Lemon Balm Apr 3 May 15 — Jul 14 – Jul 24
🌿 Parsley — — May 15 Jul 24 – Aug 13
🌻 Sunflower — — May 15 Jul 14 – Aug 3

Dates are averages based on Zone 3a frost dates (last frost: mid-May, first frost: mid-September). Adjust for your specific microclimate.

🥦 Vegetables

🍓 Fruits

🌿 Herbs

⚠️ Worth Trying (Marginal)

These plants are outside the ideal zone range but possible with the right approach.

🗺️ USDA Plant Hardiness Zones

Zone 3 is shown in this colour on the map below
2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — zones 1 to 13

2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — public domain. USDA Agricultural Research Service

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

USDA zones run 1a–13b (26 half-zones). Each full zone above covers both the a and b half-zones. Browse all US zones →

Browse Related Zones

Zone 1a Zone 1b Zone 2a Zone 2b Zone 3a Zone 3b Zone 4a Zone 4b Zone 5a

Frequently Asked Questions

One of the coldest zones in the continental US. Short but productive growing season — cold-hardy vegetables and perennials shine. Vegetables like Arugula, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts all grow well here.
The growing season is short — roughly 123 days. Focus on fast-maturing varieties and start seeds indoors as early as possible.
Top vegetables for Zone 3a: Arugula, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts. For beginners, Arugula and Beets are the easiest to start with.
Apple, Blueberry, Elderberry, Gooseberry all grow well in Zone 3a. Zone 3a is suitable for most temperate fruits.