Zone 5 Vegetable Garden Tips

The states in USDA Hardiness Zone 5 include the coastal regions of New Hampshire and Maine, western Massachusetts, New York, northern Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, eastern Colorado and Kansas. The weather in Zone 5 is very cold during the winter but the zone has the advantage of low altitudes and the ocean air. The variation in temperature in Zone 5 makes it possible to grow a number of cool and warm season vegetables.

Freeze Dates

Starting seeds indoors and then transplanting them will help to maximize growing time. The Veggie Harvest website recommends transplanting vegetables after the last freeze date in the area. The first frost free day in Zone 5 is May 30 and the last frost free day is October 1, give or take a couple of weeks. You can obtain more specific information regarding frost free days from the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC).

Extending Harvest Time

Even though the states in Zone 5 experience more cold weather than a lot of other regions in the country, you can prolong and extend vegetable growing time further by the use of cold frames and greenhouses. Growing vegetables in large containers and pots which can be moved indoors during the night is another alternative for elaborate greenhouses and cold frames.

Recommended Location

Zone 5 areas experience a great variation in temperature, which is most evident during fall and spring. This temperature variation can prove challenging for vegetable growing or general gardening. The University of Missouri Extension site recommends choosing a location with an eastern or southern location which is sheltered in the north and west with buildings and trees. This creates a microclimate which protects plants from extreme weather like strong or cold winds. Plant vegetables on elevated sites in order to help move cold air away from plants on cold and still nights.

Cool Season Vegetables

The cool weather in Zone 5 is ideal for growing cool season crops such as cabbage, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, collards, spinach, kale and rutabaga. These vegetables are best grown during the fall and they mature as the weather gets cooler. You can harvest cool season vegetables over an extended period of time. Many cool season crops can be planted during the spring as well and this gives the Zone 5 gardeners the added advantage of two successful harvests.

References

• The United States National Arboretum:USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
• University of Missouri Extension: Vegetable Gardening
• Veggie Harvest: Zone 5 Vegetable Planting Calendar
• Mississippi State University Extension: Mississippi Fresh Produce Availability Calendar