Planting Before Last Frost in Zones 5 & 6

Hardiness Zones 5 and 6 typically have a last frost date sometime between late April and mid-May. The following vegetables and flowers can be planted in March or April.

Vegetables

1. Peas: Peas are cool-season vegetables that can tolerate frost and should be planted as early as 4-6 weeks before the last frost date.
2. Spinach: Spinach is a cold-hardy leafy green that can be planted as early as 4-6 weeks before the last frost date.
3. Lettuce: Lettuce is another cold-hardy leafy green that can be planted before the last frost date. Plant it 4-6 weeks before the last frost for best results.
4. Radishes: Radishes are quick-growing root vegetables that can be planted directly in the ground before the last frost date.
5. Carrots: Carrots are cold-hardy root vegetables that can be planted before the last frost date. They prefer cooler temperatures for germination and growth.
6. Onions: Onions can tolerate cool temperatures and can be planted before the last frost date. They are usually planted from sets or seedlings.
7. Kale: Kale is a cold-hardy leafy green that can be planted before the last frost date. It is tolerant of frost and can withstand cooler temperatures.
8. Beets: Beets are root vegetables that can be planted before the last frost date. They prefer cooler temperatures for germination and growth.
9. Cabbage: Cabbage is a cold-hardy vegetable that can be planted before the last frost date. It is tolerant of frost and cooler temperatures.
10. Broccoli: Broccoli is a cold-hardy vegetable that can be planted before the last frost date. It is tolerant of cooler temperatures and can withstand light frosts.

Flowers

1. Pansies (Viola × wittrockiana): Pansies are cold-hardy annuals that can tolerate chilly temperatures and even light frosts, making them excellent choices for early spring planting.
2. Daffodils (Narcissus): Daffodils are spring-blooming bulbs that can be planted in the fall or early spring before the last frost. They provide vibrant yellow, white, or orange blooms to herald the arrival of spring.
3. Tulips (Tulipa): Tulips are another popular spring-blooming bulb that can be planted in the fall or early spring. They come in a wide range of colors and add a splash of color to the garden.
4. Crocuses (Crocus): Crocuses are early-blooming bulbs that often poke through the snow to produce cheerful blooms in shades of purple, white, yellow, and striped varieties.
5. Hyacinths (Hyacinthus): Hyacinths are fragrant spring-blooming bulbs that can be planted in the fall or early spring. They produce dense spikes of flowers in various colors, including blue, purple, pink, white, and yellow.
6. Snowdrops (Galanthus): Snowdrops are petite bulbs that bloom very early in the spring, often appearing while there’s still snow on the ground. They have delicate white flowers with green markings.
7. Forsythia (Forsythia × intermedia): Forsythia is a deciduous shrub known for its bright yellow flowers that appear in early spring before the leaves emerge. It can be planted before the last frost for early season color.
8. Hellebores (Helleborus): Hellebores, also known as Lenten roses, are perennial flowering plants that bloom in late winter to early spring. They come in various colors and have nodding cup-shaped flowers.
9. Witch Hazel (Hamamelis): Witch hazel is a deciduous shrub or small tree that produces fragrant yellow or red flowers in late winter to early spring. It can be planted before the last frost for early bloom.
10. Primroses (Primula): Primroses are perennial flowering plants that bloom in early spring. They come in a variety of colors and add a cheerful touch to the garden.
11. Bare rooted perennials

Remember to check specific planting guides for your area and adjust planting times accordingly based on local conditions and the specific microclimate of your garden.