When to plant asparagus in zone 5b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 5B

Growing SeasonZone 5b

Last frost ~May 15First frost ~Sep 30Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDECJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDECJANFEBMARAPRMAY

Transplant May 1 · First harvest Apr 30 · Wrap by Sep 30

Last spring frostMay 15

Transplant outMay 1

First harvestApr 30

Last harvestSep 30

First fall frostSep 30

Why these dates work in zone 5b

Zone 5b's last spring frost averages May 15 and first fall frost Sep 30 — about 138 frost-free days. Asparagus tolerates light frost, so you can set plants out ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall.

Common questions

How long does asparagus take to grow in zone 5b?

Asparagus matures in about 730–1095 days from transplanting. In zone 5b that means setting plants out around May 1 and first picking around Apr 30.

Will asparagus survive frost in zone 5b?

Yes — asparagus tolerates light frost. In zone 5b you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around May 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 30).

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full asparagus growing guide →