Zone 3 Planting Guide

Zone 3 gardens run on a 90-day clock - last frost around June 1, first frost around September 15, and that is the entire season. Most warm-season crops need 70-90+ days of frost-free growing, which means the margin is thin before any setback from a late cold snap or early fall freeze. The crops that deliver real returns here are those that mature in under 70 days or that sidestep the season constraint entirely. Radishes finish in 30 days. Lettuce and spinach in 45-60 days. Kale in 55-65 days. These cool-season crops also carry strong retail prices - spinach and kale run $2-4 per pound fresh, and the seed cost to grow them is pennies per square foot of harvest. The single best-performing crop for Zone 3 on a cost-return basis is garlic. Garlic sidesteps the season problem by overwintering: plant cloves in October before the ground freezes hard, leave them dormant through winter, and harvest full heads the following July - timed to be a week or two past the last frost date, well before September 15. The Year 2 economics improve sharply when you replant from your own saved heads, cutting seed cost to zero. Perennial crops - asparagus, rhubarb, chives, hardy herbs like thyme - also perform well because their setup cost amortizes over 10-20 years of harvests with zero replanting. The constraint Zone 3 imposes most sharply is on warm-season crops: sweet potatoes need 100-120 days, melons 80-100, and full-flavored peppers need 75+ days post-transplant. Without a greenhouse or row cover for season extension, these crops are marginal to not viable. Determinate tomatoes in the 60-65 day range started indoors 6-8 weeks before June 1 are the outer edge of what works reliably. Build your Zone 3 garden around cool-season crops and overwintered perennials, and the short season becomes a workable constraint rather than a fatal one.

Direct Sow These crops complete their season (>days to maturity) within your 90 frost-free days.

Vegetable

Agretti

Salsola soda

40–60 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$5.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week; tolerates some drought ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Vegetable

Amaranth

Amaranthus cruentus

50–75 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$5.00 Est. value

💧 Light to moderate; drought-tolerant once established, 0.5-1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Herb

Apple Mint

Mentha suaveolens

60–90 Days to harvest

1.5 lb Avg yield

$27.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate to high; 1-2 inches/week; tolerates wet soil ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-8 hours)

Fruit

Apricot

Prunus armeniaca

60–80 Days to harvest

20 lb Avg yield

$60.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week; deep but infrequent once established ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Fruit

Aronia (Chokeberry)

Aronia melanocarpa

60–90 Days to harvest

10 lb Avg yield

$80.00 Est. value

💧 Light; 0.75-1 inch/week, drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (tolerates shade better than most fruit shrubs)

Vegetable

Arugula

Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa

28–45 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$4.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1 inch/week, avoid drought stress during leaf development ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4–6 hours; afternoon shade extends season in warm weather)

Herb

Bee Balm

Monarda didyma

60–90 Days to harvest

0.25 lb Avg yield

$3.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week; drought stress causes early dormancy ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Vegetable

Beet

Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

55–70 Days to harvest

4 lb Avg yield

$10.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, consistent to prevent woody roots ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Vegetable

Bitter Melon

Momordica charantia

55–80 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$9.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent moisture during fruiting ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Fruit

Blackberry

Rubus allegheniensis

60–90 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$16.50 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Fruit

Blueberry

Vaccinium corymbosum

60–90 Days to harvest

5 lb Avg yield

$25.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-2 inches/week, mulch to retain moisture, acid soil required ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Vegetable

Bok Choy

Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis

45–60 Days to harvest

4 lb Avg yield

$10.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent moisture reduces bitterness ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Herb

Borage

Borago officinalis

50–70 Days to harvest

0.25 lb Avg yield

$1.50 Est. value

💧 Light to moderate; 1 inch/week, drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Fruit

Boysenberry

Rubus ursinus x idaeus

60–90 Days to harvest

4 lb Avg yield

$28.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Broccoli Rabe

Brassica rapa subsp. ruvo

45–60 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$13.50 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Herb

Calendula

Calendula officinalis

45–60 Days to harvest

0.25 lb Avg yield

$2.50 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, tolerates some drought once established ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Fruit

Cantaloupe

Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis

75–90 Days to harvest

5 lb Avg yield

$6.25 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-2 inches/week, reduce sharply at ripening for concentrated flavor ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Fruit

Cape Gooseberry

Physalis peruviana

70–80 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$27.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Carrot

Daucus carota

70–80 Days to harvest

5 lb Avg yield

$8.75 Est. value

💧 Consistent 1 inch/week; uneven moisture causes forked or cracked roots ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours minimum)

Herb

Catnip

Nepeta cataria

75–90 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$7.50 Est. value

💧 Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun to partial shade

Vegetable

Celtuce

Lactuca sativa var. angustana

60–90 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$8.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent moisture for tender stems ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Herb

Chamomile

Matricaria chamomilla

60–90 Days to harvest

0.25 lb Avg yield

$3.00 Est. value

💧 Light to moderate; drought-tolerant, 0.5-1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Fruit

Cherry

Prunus avium

55–75 Days to harvest

25 lb Avg yield

$125.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week, reduce after harvest ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Cherry Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme

60–70 Days to harvest

12 lb Avg yield

$42.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-2 inches/week, consistent moisture to reduce cracking ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours minimum)

Herb

Chervil

Anthriscus cerefolium

30–45 Days to harvest

0.25 lb Avg yield

$2.50 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, consistent moisture ☀️ Partial shade (3-5 hours direct sun, shade preferred)

Vegetable

Chinese Broccoli

Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra

45–60 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$4.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Herb

Chives

Allium schoenoprasum

60–90 Days to harvest

0.25 lb Avg yield

$2.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, consistent but not waterlogged ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Vegetable

Chrysanthemum Greens

Glebionis coronaria

40–60 Days to harvest

0.75 lb Avg yield

$3.75 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (5-7 hours)

Herb

Cilantro

Coriandrum sativum

45–60 Days to harvest

1.5 lb Avg yield

$9.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1 inch/week, keep soil moist during germination ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours; afternoon shade extends season)

Vegetable

Collard Greens

Brassica oleracea var. viridis

60–75 Days to harvest

5 lb Avg yield

$12.50 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Corn

Zea mays

65–90 Days to harvest

10 lb Avg yield

$8.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, critical at silking and ear fill ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours minimum)

Vegetable

Cowpea

Vigna unguiculata

60–90 Days to harvest

2.5 lb Avg yield

$7.50 Est. value

💧 Low; drought-tolerant after establishment; 0.5-1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Vegetable

Cucumber

Cucumis sativus

55–70 Days to harvest

8 lb Avg yield

$14.24 Est. value

💧 Heavy; 1–2 inches/week, consistent moisture critical to prevent bitter fruit ☀️ Full sun (6–8 hours minimum)

Herb

Culantro

Eryngium foetidum

60–90 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$4.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent moisture ☀️ Partial shade to full sun (4-7 hours; prefers some shade in heat)

Fruit

Currant

Ribes rubrum

60–90 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$21.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours acceptable)

Vegetable

Daikon

Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus

45–70 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$6.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent during root development ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Herb

Dill

Anethum graveolens

40–60 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$11.00 Est. value

💧 Light to moderate; 1 inch/week once established, tolerates dry ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Fruit

Dragon Fruit

Selenicereus undatus

30–50 Days to harvest

10 lb Avg yield

$80.00 Est. value

💧 Low to moderate; drought tolerant ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Edamame

Glycine max

70–90 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$4.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week, critical at pod fill ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Eggplant

Solanum melongena

70–85 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$7.50 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1–1.5 inches/week; consistent moisture prevents bitter fruit and blossom drop ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours; heat-loving, more sun = more fruit)

Herb

Epazote

Dysphania ambrosioides

50–70 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$4.00 Est. value

💧 Light; 0.5-0.75 inch/week, drought-tolerant ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Vegetable

Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare

65–90 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$4.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week once established ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Herb

Fenugreek

Trigonella foenum-graecum

30–45 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$2.50 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, tolerates brief drought ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Garden Pea

Pisum sativum

55–70 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$9.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, avoid waterlogging ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours minimum)

Fruit

Gooseberry

Ribes uva-crispa

60–90 Days to harvest

4 lb Avg yield

$20.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours acceptable)

Vegetable

Green Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris

50–65 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$6.78 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1 inch/week, consistent moisture from flowering through harvest ☀️ Full sun (6–8 hours minimum)

Fruit

Ground Cherry

Physalis pruinosa

70–80 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$12.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, tolerates drought once established ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Herb

Holy Basil

Ocimum tenuiflorum

60–75 Days to harvest

1.5 lb Avg yield

$15.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 0.5-1 inch/week; drought-tolerant once established; good drainage essential ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Fruit

Honeyberry

Lonicera caerulea

35–50 Days to harvest

5 lb Avg yield

$50.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun to partial shade

Vegetable

Hot Pepper

Capsicum annuum

70–85 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$10.47 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-2 inches/week, reduce slightly once fruit sets ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours preferred)

Vegetable

Hyacinth Bean

Lablab purpureus

65–90 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$12.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Vegetable

Kale

Brassica oleracea var. acephala

55–75 Days to harvest

5.5 lb Avg yield

$19.25 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1–1.5 inches/week, consistent moisture reduces bitterness ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4–6 hours minimum; accepts afternoon shade)

Vegetable

Kohlrabi

Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes

45–60 Days to harvest

4 lb Avg yield

$10.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent to prevent woody bulb ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Herb

Lemon Balm

Melissa officinalis

70–90 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$4.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, tolerates drought once established ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Vegetable

Lettuce

Lactuca sativa

45–65 Days to harvest

1.5 lb Avg yield

$5.25 Est. value

💧 Regular; keep soil consistently moist, lettuce has a shallow root system ☀️ Partial to full sun (4–6 hours); afternoon shade beneficial in warm weather

Vegetable

Lima Bean

Phaseolus lunatus

65–90 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$10.50 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, reduce after pods form ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Herb

Lovage

Levisticum officinale

75–90 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$4.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Vegetable

Mâche

Valerianella locusta

45–60 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$16.00 Est. value

💧 Light to moderate; 0.5-1 inch/week, tolerates cold and wet ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Vegetable

Malabar Spinach

Basella alba

70–85 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$8.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent during warm months ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Herb

Marjoram

Origanum majorana

60–80 Days to harvest

0.25 lb Avg yield

$2.50 Est. value

💧 Light to moderate; 0.5-0.75 inch/week, tolerates drought ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Mizuna

Brassica rapa var. nipposinica

20–40 Days to harvest

4 lb Avg yield

$16.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Vegetable

Moringa

Moringa oleifera

60–90 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$30.00 Est. value

💧 Light; 0.5-0.75 inch/week, very drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Fruit

Mulberry

Morus rubra

45–60 Days to harvest

30 lb Avg yield

$180.00 Est. value

💧 Light; drought-tolerant once established, 0.5-1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Vegetable

Mung Bean

Vigna radiata

55–70 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$12.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week; drought-tolerant; poor drainage is the primary threat ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Vegetable

Mustard Greens

Brassica juncea

35–50 Days to harvest

0.75 lb Avg yield

$2.25 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun (4-6 hours acceptable)

Vegetable

Napa Cabbage

Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis

70–80 Days to harvest

4 lb Avg yield

$8.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent moisture throughout head formation ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Herb

Nasturtium

Tropaeolum majus

35–52 Days to harvest

0.25 lb Avg yield

$2.00 Est. value

💧 Light; drought-tolerant, overwatering reduces flowering ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Vegetable

New Zealand Spinach

Tetragonia tetragonioides

55–70 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$8.00 Est. value

💧 Light to moderate; 0.75-1 inch/week, drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Vegetable

Okra

Abelmoschus esculentus

50–65 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$6.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week once established, drought-tolerant ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours minimum)

Herb

Oregano

Origanum vulgare

80–90 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$5.00 Est. value

💧 Light; drought-tolerant once established, 0.5-0.75 inch/week ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Herb

Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

70–90 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$12.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, tolerates brief dry periods once established ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Fruit

Pawpaw

Asimina triloba

60–90 Days to harvest

20 lb Avg yield

$160.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week for first 2-3 years, drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (tolerates shade when young)

Herb

Peppermint

Mentha x piperita

60–90 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$9.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week; tolerates moist conditions; container soil dries faster than in-ground ☀️ Full sun to part shade (4-6 hours works; more sun = higher menthol)

Vegetable

Pole Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris (indeterminate)

55–65 Days to harvest

5 lb Avg yield

$10.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1 inch/week; keep soil consistently moist once pods forming ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Potato

Solanum tuberosum

70–90 Days to harvest

5 lb Avg yield

$6.25 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-2 inches/week, consistent to prevent hollow heart ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Purslane

Portulaca oleracea

50–60 Days to harvest

2.5 lb Avg yield

$10.00 Est. value

💧 Light; extremely drought-tolerant, 0.5 inches/week or less ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Radicchio

Cichorium intybus var. foliosum

60–85 Days to harvest

2.5 lb Avg yield

$12.50 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Radish

Raphanus sativus

25–30 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$5.00 Est. value

💧 Consistent 1 inch/week; dry soil causes pithy, hot-tasting roots and accelerates bolting ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (6+ hours optimal; tolerates 4 hours)

Fruit

Raspberry

Rubus idaeus

60–90 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$12.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent but well-drained ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Runner Bean

Phaseolus coccineus

55–75 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$9.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week, especially during flowering ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Herb

Sage

Salvia officinalis

75–90 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$5.00 Est. value

💧 Light to moderate; drought-tolerant once established, 0.5-0.75 inch/week ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Vegetable

Scallion

Allium fistulosum

60–70 Days to harvest

1.5 lb Avg yield

$6.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun (4-6 hours acceptable)

Fruit

Serviceberry

Amelanchier alnifolia

45–60 Days to harvest

10 lb Avg yield

$80.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week when young, drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun to partial shade

Herb

Shiso

Perilla frutescens

60–80 Days to harvest

1.5 lb Avg yield

$15.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, consistent but not saturated ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Vegetable

Snap Pea

Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon

55–70 Days to harvest

3.5 lb Avg yield

$14.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, reduce after pods form ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Herb

Sorrel

Rumex acetosa

60–90 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$3.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Herb

Spearmint

Mentha spicata

60–90 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$36.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate to high; 1-2 inches/week; tolerates wet soil ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-8 hours)

Vegetable

Spinach

Spinacia oleracea

37–50 Days to harvest

5 lb Avg yield

$17.50 Est. value

💧 Consistent moisture, approximately 1 inch per week; drought stress accelerates bolting faster than almost anything else you can do wrong ☀️ Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade in spring extends the harvest window by slowing heat accumulation on the leaves

Herb

Stevia

Stevia rebaudiana

60–90 Days to harvest

0.25 lb Avg yield

$5.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, sensitive to both drought and waterlogging ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Fruit

Strawberry

Fragaria × ananassa

60–90 Days to harvest

1.5 lb Avg yield

$7.49 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1 inch/week, more during fruit development ☀️ Full sun (6–8 hours minimum)

Herb

Summer Savory

Satureja hortensis

60–80 Days to harvest

0.25 lb Avg yield

$2.50 Est. value

💧 Light; drought-tolerant once established, 0.5-0.75 inch/week ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Vegetable

Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

70–90 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$4.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Herb

Sweet Basil

Ocimum basilicum

50–75 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$4.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; keep soil consistently moist, water at root zone ☀️ Full sun (6–8 hours minimum)

Vegetable

Sweet Pepper

Capsicum annuum

70–90 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$6.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1–1.5 inches/week; consistent moisture critical at fruit set to prevent blossom drop ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours; more sun = more fruit)

Vegetable

Swiss Chard

Beta vulgaris var. cicla

55–70 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$3.50 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1–1.5 inches/week; consistent moisture produces tender leaves ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4–6 hours minimum; heat tolerant with afternoon shade)

Herb

Tarragon

Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa

60–90 Days to harvest

0.25 lb Avg yield

$3.50 Est. value

💧 Light to moderate; 0.5-1 inch/week, good drainage essential ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Tatsoi

Brassica rapa var. narinosa

25–45 Days to harvest

4 lb Avg yield

$16.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Vegetable

Tepary Bean

Phaseolus acutifolius

60–90 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$14.00 Est. value

💧 Very light; drought-tolerant, minimal supplemental irrigation needed ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Herb

Thai Basil

Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora

60–90 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$9.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum

60–85 Days to harvest

10 lb Avg yield

$17.80 Est. value

💧 Regular, 1–2 inches/week; consistent moisture critical ☀️ Full sun (6–8 hours minimum)

Vegetable

Turnip

Brassica rapa subsp. rapa

30–60 Days to harvest

4 lb Avg yield

$7.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent for tender roots ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours minimum)

Herb

Vietnamese Coriander

Persicaria odorata

45–60 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$5.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week, tolerates moist conditions ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-7 hours)

Vegetable

Water Spinach

Ipomoea aquatica

30–50 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$8.00 Est. value

💧 Heavy; 1.5-2 inches/week; thrives in moist or waterlogged conditions ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Herb

Watercress

Nasturtium officinale

30–40 Days to harvest

1.5 lb Avg yield

$10.50 Est. value

💧 Heavy; keep soil saturated or grow in containers of standing water, replenishing daily ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Fruit

Watermelon

Citrullus lanatus

75–90 Days to harvest

15 lb Avg yield

$7.50 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-2 inches/week during vine growth, reduce at ripening ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Herb

Winter Savory

Satureja montana

60–80 Days to harvest

0.25 lb Avg yield

$2.50 Est. value

💧 Light; 0.5-0.75 inch/week, drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Vegetable

Yardlong Bean

Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis

55–80 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$9.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week, reduce in cool weather ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Start Indoors Start these 6-8 weeks before Jun 1 to complete the growing season before first frost.

Vegetable

Acorn Squash

Cucurbita pepo

80–100 Days to harvest

6 lb Avg yield

$9.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent at fruit set ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Vegetable

Artichoke

Cynara scolymus

85–100 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$8.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1.5-2 inches/week, reduce in winter dormancy ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Fruit

Black Currant

Ribes nigrum

90–120 Days to harvest

4 lb Avg yield

$40.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun to partial shade

Vegetable

Broccoli

Brassica oleracea var. italica

80–100 Days to harvest

6 lb Avg yield

$15.00 Est. value

💧 Consistent 1-1.5 inches/week; even moisture prevents hollow stems and premature bolting ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours minimum)

Vegetable

Brussels Sprouts

Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera

85–110 Days to harvest

1.5 lb Avg yield

$6.75 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent through fall ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours minimum)

Vegetable

Butternut Squash

Cucurbita moschata

85–110 Days to harvest

5 lb Avg yield

$8.75 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, reduce as fruits mature ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Vegetable

Cabbage

Brassica oleracea var. capitata

70–120 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$3.75 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent to prevent head splitting ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Cauliflower

Brassica oleracea var. botrytis

80–100 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$7.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent - moisture stress causes buttoning ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours minimum)

Vegetable

Celery

Apium graveolens

85–120 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$4.00 Est. value

💧 Heavy; 1.5-2 inches/week, sensitive to moisture stress ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Fruit

Chestnut

Castanea spp.

90–120 Days to harvest

20 lb Avg yield

$80.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; drought tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Chickpea

Cicer arietinum

90–110 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$12.00 Est. value

💧 Light to moderate; 0.75-1 inch/week, drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Herb

Curry Leaf

Murraya koenigii

90–120 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$5.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week, reduce in winter ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Fruit

Elderberry

Sambucus nigra

90–120 Days to harvest

10 lb Avg yield

$80.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Vegetable

Endive

Cichorium endivia

85–100 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$8.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Vegetable

Fava Bean

Vicia faba

75–100 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$5.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Fruit

Hazelnut

Corylus americana

90–120 Days to harvest

5 lb Avg yield

$30.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (5-8 hours)

Herb

Lemon Verbena

Aloysia citrodora

90–120 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$5.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, allow soil surface to dry between waterings ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Herb

Lemongrass

Cymbopogon citratus

75–100 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$5.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, tolerates brief drought once established ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Fruit

Loquat

Eriobotrya japonica

90–120 Days to harvest

20 lb Avg yield

$100.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week; drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (6-8 hours)

Vegetable

Luffa

Luffa aegyptiaca

90–120 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$9.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent during fruit development ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Herb

Mint

Mentha spp.

90–120 Days to harvest

0.35 lb Avg yield

$2.10 Est. value

💧 Regular; keep soil consistently moist, does not tolerate drought ☀️ Partial shade to full sun (4–6 hours); afternoon shade preferred in hot climates

Vegetable

Onion

Allium cepa

90–120 Days to harvest

8 lb Avg yield

$12.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1 inch/week during bulbing, reduce as tops fall ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours minimum)

Fruit

Pecan

Carya illinoinensis

90–120 Days to harvest

30 lb Avg yield

$240.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; deep watering 2-3 times/week when young ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Fruit

Persimmon

Diospyros virginiana

70–100 Days to harvest

20 lb Avg yield

$100.00 Est. value

💧 Light to moderate; 1 inch/week when young, drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Fruit

Plum

Prunus domestica

75–100 Days to harvest

20 lb Avg yield

$40.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-2 inches/week during establishment, drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Vegetable

Pumpkin

Cucurbita pepo

90–120 Days to harvest

12 lb Avg yield

$9.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-2 inches/week, at base not foliage ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Vegetable

Quinoa

Chenopodium quinoa

90–120 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$6.00 Est. value

💧 Light; 0.75-1 inch/week, drought-tolerant ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Vegetable

Romanesco

Brassica oleracea var. botrytis

75–100 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$10.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent throughout head development ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Rutabaga

Brassica napus var. napobrassica

80–100 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$3.50 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, consistent ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Herb

Saffron

Crocus sativus

90–120 Days to harvest

0.02 lb Avg yield

$100.00 Est. value

💧 Light; 0.5 inch/week during growth; dry dormancy in summer essential ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Fruit

Sea Buckthorn

Hippophae rhamnoides

90–120 Days to harvest

10 lb Avg yield

$200.00 Est. value

💧 Light; 0.5-1 inch/week; very drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Vegetable

Shallot

Allium cepa var. aggregatum

90–120 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$5.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1 inch/week during bulbing, reduce as tops fall ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Vegetable

Soybean

Glycine max

75–120 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$9.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, consistent moisture critical at pod fill ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Spaghetti Squash

Cucurbita pepo

90–100 Days to harvest

8 lb Avg yield

$12.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week, avoid wetting foliage ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Vegetable

Sweet Potato

Ipomoea batatas

90–120 Days to harvest

4 lb Avg yield

$7.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Vegetable

Tomatillo

Physalis philadelphica

75–100 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$10.50 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week, drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours minimum)

Vegetable

Winter Squash

Cucurbita maxima

85–100 Days to harvest

12 lb Avg yield

$23.88 Est. value

💧 Heavy during establishment; reduce to moderate once vines run, 1-2 inches/week ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours minimum)

Marginal Season is tight. Use a greenhouse, row cover, or high tunnel to extend your window.

Vegetable

Celeriac

Apium graveolens var. rapaceum

100–120 Days to harvest

1.5 lb Avg yield

$6.00 Est. value

💧 Heavy; 1.5-2 inches/week, consistent - stress causes cracked roots ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Fruit

Fig

Ficus carica

90–150 Days to harvest

8 lb Avg yield

$36.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week during fruit development, drought-tolerant otherwise ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Fruit

Goji Berry

Lycium barbarum

90–150 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$24.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; drought-tolerant once established, 1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Fruit

Grape

Vitis vinifera

90–180 Days to harvest

10 lb Avg yield

$25.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week first 2 years, drought-tolerant after establishment ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Vegetable

Jerusalem Artichoke

Helianthus tuberosus

100–150 Days to harvest

8 lb Avg yield

$28.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; drought-tolerant once established, 1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Herb

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

90–365 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$7.50 Est. value

💧 Light; extremely drought-tolerant, 0.25-0.5 inch/week once established ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours minimum)

Vegetable

Leek

Allium ampeloprasum

100–130 Days to harvest

5 lb Avg yield

$17.50 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent - irregular watering causes split shanks ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Parsnip

Pastinaca sativa

100–130 Days to harvest

4 lb Avg yield

$10.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, consistent for straight roots ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Peanut

Arachis hypogaea

100–130 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$3.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week, reduce at harvest ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Vegetable

Popcorn

Zea mays var. everta

95–110 Days to harvest

5 lb Avg yield

$30.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, especially at silking ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Herb

Thyme

Thymus vulgaris

90–180 Days to harvest

0.25 lb Avg yield

$3.00 Est. value

💧 Light; very drought-tolerant, 0.5 inch/week or less once established ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)