What USDA Planting Zone Am I In? (And What to Plant This Month)

February 7, 2026

Find your USDA Hardiness Zone and use a simple monthly planting guide for U.S. gardens plus a quick checklist for frost dates and success.

If you’re gardening in the U.S., your USDA Hardiness Zone is the easiest way to make better planting decisions—especially for timing. It tells you how cold your winter gets and helps you avoid the #1 beginner mistake: planting too early or too late.

Step 1: Find your zone + your last frost date

Your zone helps with perennials, but your last spring frost date is what really controls when you can start many veggies outside.

Map Downloads | USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Quick rule:

- Cool-season crops can go out earlier (greens, peas)

- Warm-season crops wait until after frost risk (tomatoes, peppers)

Step 2: Use the “3 temperature” planting method

- Soil still cold: greens + root crops

- Mild weather: herbs + hardy annuals

-Warm nights: tomatoes, basil, heat lovers

Step 3: Make your life easier with simple systems

- Once you know your timing, the biggest success multiplier is consistency: