Zone 4 Planting Guide

A 130-day season from May 15 to September 25 opens the door to a real vegetable garden while still requiring careful variety selection for anything that pushes the frost-free limit. The anchor crops are the same as Zone 3 - garlic, fast-maturing greens, kale, perennial herbs - but the extra 40 days makes tomatoes and cucumbers genuinely viable with the right setup. The key word is setup. Full-season tomatoes need 10-12 weeks of indoor starts before the May 15 last frost date, which means seeds started in early March. Determinate varieties in the 60-70 day range are more forgiving: short-season types like Siletz and Glacier produce reliably in Zone 4 without requiring perfect timing. The ROI case for starting infrastructure - a simple LED grow light, a heat mat for germination - pays off quickly when you can start your own tomato transplants for cents each rather than paying $4-8 per started plant at the nursery. Garlic remains the highest-ROI crop in Zone 4 because it requires zero infrastructure, overwinters without attention, and the Year 2 replanting cost drops to zero when you save your own stock. The 130-day window also supports cucumbers (50-65 days from transplant) and summer squash (50-60 days), both of which produce heavily in the available season. What Zone 4 still eliminates: sweet potatoes reliably, long-season peppers, and melons without season extension. A cold frame or low tunnel adds 3-4 weeks on each end of the season, effectively pushing Zone 4 production into Zone 5 territory for the crops inside it. For gardeners willing to make that modest infrastructure investment, the calculus shifts considerably - and the payback on even a simple cold frame happens in the first season through earlier harvests and extended fall production.

Direct Sow These crops complete their season (>days to maturity) within your 130 frost-free days.

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

Adzuki Bean

Vigna angularis

110–130 Days to harvest

1.5 lb Avg yield

$6.00 Est. value

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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)

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)

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

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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

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)

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)

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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

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)

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)

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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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)

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

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)

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

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)

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)

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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 May 15 to complete the growing season before first frost.

Vegetable

Cardoon

Cynara cardunculus var. altilis

120–150 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$18.00 Est. value

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

Vegetable

Chayote

Sechium edule

120–150 Days to harvest

25 lb Avg yield

$37.50 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week; consistent during fruit development ☀️ Full sun (6-8 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)

Herb

Hops

Humulus lupulus

120–150 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$18.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week; drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun (6-8 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)

Vegetable

Salsify

Tragopogon porrifolius

120–150 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$12.00 Est. value

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

Vegetable

Scorzonera

Scorzonera hispanica

120–150 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$15.00 Est. value

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

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

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)

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

Pigeon Pea

Cajanus cajan

120–180 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$6.00 Est. value

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