What to plant this week in Zone 2b
With average last frost in late May and first frost around September, Zone 2b is still preparing for spring planting. Focus your efforts on sowing Cleome, transplanting cool-season crops, and harvesting parsnips and rutabagas that are ready soon.
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
- Wait until soil temperatures consistently rise above 40°F before attempting to sow seeds directly outdoors.
- Apply a thick layer of organic mulch now to protect emerging seedlings from late spring temperature swings.
- Prepare raised beds with compost to improve drainage for the upcoming heavy spring rains.
Pest & disease watch
- Monitor for early-season slugs and snails that may target tender transplants during cool, damp spells.
- Check Cleome seedlings for aphids as new growth begins to expand in warmer weather.
- Inspect stored parsnips and rutabagas for rot or insect damage before harvesting.
Watering this week
Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry slightly between sessions to prevent root rot in cool soils.
Harvest parsnips when leaves yellow and turnip greens on rutabagas are still firm for the best flavor.
Zone 2b planting calendar
14 cropsAverage planting and harvest windows for everything that grows in zone 2b — 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 | — | Apr 27 – Jun 8 | — | May 27 – Jul 18 | 35d | |
| Garden Pea | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | — | Jun 7 – Jul 20 | 63d | |
| Lettuce | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 27 – Jun 8 | May 11 – May 25 | Jun 11 – Aug 7 | 53d | |
| Parsnip | — | May 11 – Jun 8 | — | Aug 19 – Sep 22 | 110d | |
| Radish | — | Apr 27 – Jun 22 | — | May 19 – Jul 22 | 26d | |
| Rutabaga | — | May 11 – Jun 8 | — | Aug 9 – Sep 16 | 95d | |
| Snow Pea | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | — | Jun 12 – Jul 20 | 65d | |
| Spinach | — | Apr 13 – May 25 | — | May 18 – Jul 9 | 40d | |
| Sugar Snap Pea | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | — | Jun 7 – Jul 15 | 60d |
Fruits 2
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cranberry | — | — | May 11 – Jun 22 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Honeyberry (Haskap) | — | — | May 11 – Jun 22 | — | 2.5 yr |
Flowers 3
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Button (Cornflower) | — | Apr 27 – Jun 8 | — | Jul 1 – Aug 17 | 68d | |
| Cleome (Spider Flower) | — | Jun 1 – Jun 22 | — | Jul 26 – Sep 5 | 65d | |
| French Marigold | Apr 20 – May 4 | Jun 1 – Jun 22 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | Jul 16 – Aug 21 | 53d |