When to plant lovage in zone 5a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 5A

Growing SeasonZone 5a

Last frost ~May 10First frost ~Oct 1Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCT

Start indoors Mar 29 · Transplant May 3 · First harvest Jul 22 · Wrap by Oct 1

Last spring frostMay 10

Start seeds indoorsMar 29

Transplant outMay 3

First harvestJul 22

Last harvestOct 1

First fall frostOct 1

Why these dates work in zone 5a

Zone 5a's last spring frost averages May 10 and first fall frost Oct 1 — about 144 frost-free days. Lovage tolerates light frost, so you can set plants out ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. Starting seeds indoors 6 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms.

Common questions

How long does lovage take to grow in zone 5a?

Lovage matures in about 80–100 days from transplanting. In zone 5a that means setting plants out around May 3 and first picking around Jul 22.

Will lovage survive frost in zone 5a?

Yes — lovage tolerates light frost. In zone 5a you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around May 10) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 1).

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