What to plant this week in Zone 2a
With average last frost still a week away on June 1, Zone 2a gardeners are in the final wait to begin spring sowing or transplanting. Focus your immediate energy on harvesting your early crops like Cleome (Spider Flower), Parsnip, and Rutabaga before the growing season fully kicks into high gear.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
3 crops- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Parsnip
- Rutabaga
Seasonal tips
- Keep soil work to a minimum until after June 1 to avoid disturbing roots during late freeze risks.
- Prepare seed-starting trays indoors now for cool-weather crops that will be sown right after frost dates pass.
- Clean up fallen leaves and debris from winter to reduce overwintering pests before the first real growth spurt.
- Plan your succession planting schedule so you can immediately replace harvested Rutabagas later this month.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for early spring slugs and snails as soil temperatures begin to rise near late May/early June.
- Check Cleome stems for aphids which can appear quickly once plants start active growth after frost.
- Monitor for spider mites on the first transplants if you have moved them out of cold frames.
Watering this week
Water deeply but infrequently now, as soil may still be cool and slow to absorb moisture; avoid wetting foliage to prevent fungal issues during this transition period.
If you have a greenhouse or cold frame available, start your earliest transplants indoors now so they are ready to move outside the moment June 1 arrives.
Zone 2a planting calendar
14 cropsAverage planting and harvest windows for everything that grows in zone 2a — dates shift a week or two with the season, so treat them as a starting point and check the weekly guide above for what's open right now.
- Start indoors
- Sow outdoors
- Transplant
- Harvest
Vegetables 9
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arugula | — | May 4 – Jun 15 | — | Jun 3 – Jul 25 | 35d | |
| Garden Pea | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | — | Jun 14 – Jul 27 | 63d | |
| Lettuce | Apr 20 – May 4 | May 4 – Jun 15 | May 18 – Jun 1 | Jun 18 – Aug 14 | 53d | |
| Parsnip | — | May 18 – Jun 15 | — | Aug 26 – Sep 15 | 110d | |
| Radish | — | May 4 – Jun 29 | — | May 26 – Jul 29 | 26d | |
| Rutabaga | — | May 18 – Jun 15 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 15 | 95d | |
| Snow Pea | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 27 | 65d | |
| Spinach | — | Apr 20 – Jun 1 | — | May 25 – Jul 16 | 40d | |
| Sugar Snap Pea | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | — | Jun 14 – Jul 22 | 60d |
Fruits 2
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cranberry | — | — | May 18 – Jun 29 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Honeyberry (Haskap) | — | — | May 18 – Jun 29 | — | 2.5 yr |
Flowers 3
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Button (Cornflower) | — | May 4 – Jun 15 | — | Jul 8 – Aug 24 | 68d | |
| Cleome (Spider Flower) | — | Jun 8 – Jun 29 | — | Aug 2 – Sep 12 | 65d | |
| French Marigold | Apr 27 – May 11 | Jun 8 – Jun 29 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | Jul 23 – Aug 28 | 53d |