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Planting Calendar for Sterling, KS

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The planting calendar below tells you when to plant in the SPRING and also plant in the FALL, based on your zip code or postal code.

Spring Planting Calendar

Our spring planting calendar starts with the very first dates that you can plant (based on the last spring frost). But if you've missed these dates, no worries! This is why we've added "last planting dates" to our spring calendar; this is meant to help new gardeners understand that if they missed the first spring planting window, they could still get crops in the ground.

In fact, many crops with short maturity times (such as radishes) can be succession planted all the way through the summer in northern areas. However, note that some cool-season crops, such as kale and lettuce, do not grow well in hot temperatures, which can cause bolting issues.  For some gardeners, especially in the South, a break to avoid summer heat is needed, but they can start once the heat has passed. 

The dates provided are based on the number of weeks before or after frost, so we can provide a unique calendar to every user in the country. Thus, several crops (especially similar crops) may appear to have the same date. Kale and lettuce, for example, or dates for starting seeds, like broccoli and cabbage. 

Fall Planting Calendar

When we say "fall," we really mean planting in summer in time for a fall harvest. Think of this as a second summer! It's easy to keep the crops going if you've already prepared the soil! 

Many crops that would be started indoors for a spring crop can just be plunked into the soil directly for a fall crop. Not only is the soil already warm but also there are less pests and it tends to be rainier so you don't need to water as often. Some fall vegetables need to be harvested by the first frost, but many are frost-tolerant and even taste better after a kiss of fall frost!

See each plant's individual Growing Guide for more specific planting, plant care, and harvesting information.

Specifically, on the charts, there are different columns labeled as follows:

  1. Start Seeds Indoors: When to sow seeds indoors to get an early start on the season.
  2. Plant Seedlings Outdoors: When to put small seedlings that you grew indoors (OR starter plants that you bought at a garden nursery) in the outdoor soil.
  3. Start Seeds Outdoors: When to plant seeds directly into the outdoor soil.
  4. Last Date to Plant: You may plant any time from the "start seeds" dates until this "last date." Don't wait any longer, or the crop won't have time to get to harvest before fall/winter frosts.

The "Moon Dates" indicate the best planting dates based on Moon phases. You can learn more about this age-old technique below.

When N/A appears in the chart, that starting method is typically not recommended, although it is likely still possible. 

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Planting Dates for Fall

On average, your first fall frost occurs on October 19 (at STERLING, KS climate station).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds OutdoorsTransplantAverage Days to MaturityFrost Tolerance
ArugulaFrost Aug 31-Oct 5
Moon Sep 2-17
N/A40Frost-hardy
BeetsFrost Jul 27-Aug 24
Moon Jul 27-Aug 3, Aug 20-24
N/A50Frost-tolerant
Bok ChoyFrost Aug 10-31
Moon Aug 10-19
N/A50Frost-tolerant
BroccoliFrost Jul 20-27
Moon Jul 20-21
Frost Aug 10-24
Moon Aug 10-19
60Frost-tolerant
Brussels SproutsFrost Jun 29-Jul 13
Moon Jul 5-13
N/A100Frost-hardy
CabbageFrost Jul 20-27
Moon Jul 20-21
Frost Aug 10-17
Moon Aug 10-17
90Frost-tolerant
CarrotsFrost Aug 3-10
Moon Aug 3
N/A70Frost-tolerant
CauliflowerFrost Jul 13-20
Moon Jul 13-20
Frost Jul 27-Aug 3
75Frost-tolerant
ChivesFrost Jul 27-Aug 24
Moon Aug 4-19
N/A70Frost-tolerant
FennelFrost Jul 20-Aug 3
Moon Jul 20-21
N/A80Tender
GarlicFrost Nov 2-15
N/A120Frost-hardy
Green BeansFrost Aug 3-17
Moon Aug 4-17
N/A55Tender
KaleFrost Aug 10-24
Moon Aug 10-19
N/A60Frost-hardy
KohlrabiFrost Aug 17-Sep 7
Moon Aug 17-19, Sep 2-7
N/A45Frost-tolerant
LettuceFrost Aug 10-24
Moon Aug 10-19
N/A60Frost-tolerant
Mustard GreensFrost Aug 17-Sep 7
Moon Aug 17-19, Sep 2-7
N/A45Tender
PeasFrost Aug 10-24
Moon Aug 10-19
N/A55Tender
RadishesFrost Sep 7-21
Moon Sep 18-21
N/A25Frost-tolerant
SpinachFrost Aug 31-Sep 21
Moon Sep 2-17
N/A30Frost-hardy
Swiss ChardFrost Aug 10-24
Moon Aug 10-19
N/A60Frost-tolerant
TurnipsFrost Aug 17-31
Moon Aug 20-31
N/A50Frost-tolerant

Planting Dates for Spring

On average, your last spring frost occurs on April 22 (at STERLING, KS climate station, elevation 1637 feet).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds IndoorsPlant Seedlings
or Transplants
Start Seeds OutdoorsLast Date to Plant
ArugulaFrost Feb 25-Mar 11
Frost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 8-15
Frost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 25
Sep 21
AsparagusN/AN/AFrost Apr 8-22
Apr 22
BasilFrost Mar 11-25
Moon Mar 11-25
Frost May 6-20
Moon May 7-20
Frost May 6-20
Moon May 7-20
Sep 7
BeetsN/AFrost Apr 8-22
Frost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 26-Apr 1
May 6
Bell PeppersFrost Feb 11-25
Moon Feb 11-24
Frost May 6-13
Moon May 7-13
N/AJul 27
Bok ChoyFrost Mar 11-25
Moon Mar 11-25
Frost May 6-13
Moon May 7-13
Frost May 6-13
Moon May 7-13
Jun 3
BroccoliFrost Feb 25-Mar 11
Frost Apr 8-22
Moon Apr 8-22
Frost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 25
Aug 17
Brussels SproutsFrost Mar 11-25
Moon Mar 11-25
Frost Apr 8-22
Moon Apr 8-22
Frost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 25
Jul 13
CabbageFrost Feb 25-Mar 11
Frost Apr 8-22
Moon Apr 8-22
Frost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 25
Apr 29
CantaloupesFrost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 8-15
Frost Apr 22-May 6
Moon Apr 22-23
Frost Apr 29-May 6
Jul 13
CarrotsN/AN/AFrost Mar 25-Apr 8
Moon Mar 26-Apr 7
Aug 10
CauliflowerFrost Mar 11-25
Moon Mar 11-25
Frost Apr 15-29
Moon Apr 15-23
N/AAug 3
CeleryFrost Jan 28-Feb 11
Moon Feb 9-11
Frost Apr 29-May 13
Moon May 7-13
Frost Apr 22
Moon Apr 22
Aug 10
ChivesFrost Feb 25-Mar 11
Frost Apr 1-8
Moon Apr 8
Frost Apr 1-8
Moon Apr 8
Aug 24
Cilantro (Coriander)N/AN/AFrost Apr 22-May 6
Moon Apr 22-23
May 13
CollardsFrost Mar 11-25
Moon Mar 11-25
Frost Apr 8-22
Moon Apr 8-22
Frost Apr 1-8
Moon Apr 8
Aug 10
CucumbersFrost Apr 1-8
Moon Apr 8
Frost Apr 29-May 13
Moon May 7-13
Frost May 6-13
Moon May 7-13
Aug 10
DillN/AN/AFrost Apr 15-May 6
Moon Apr 15-23
Aug 24
Dry BeansN/AN/AFrost May 6-13
Moon May 7-13
Jul 13
EggplantsFrost Feb 25-Mar 11
Frost May 6-13
Moon May 7-13
N/AAug 10
Fava BeansN/AN/AFrost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 25
May 6
FennelFrost Mar 11-25
Moon Mar 11-25
Frost Apr 29-May 6
Frost Apr 22-May 6
Moon Apr 22-23
Aug 3
GarlicN/AN/AN/A
Green BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 29-May 20
Moon May 7-20
Aug 10
Honeydew MelonsFrost Apr 1-8
Moon Apr 8
Frost May 6-13
Moon May 7-13
Frost May 6-13
Moon May 7-13
Jul 20
Jalapeño PeppersFrost Feb 11-25
Moon Feb 11-24
Frost May 6-13
Moon May 7-13
N/A
KaleFrost Feb 25-Mar 11
Frost Apr 8-22
Moon Apr 8-22
Frost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 25
May 6
KohlrabiFrost Mar 11-25
Moon Mar 11-25
Frost Apr 1-8
Moon Apr 8
Frost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 25
May 6
LeeksFrost Feb 11-25
Moon Feb 11-24
Frost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 8-15
N/AJul 6
LettuceFrost Mar 11-25
Moon Mar 11-25
Frost Apr 1-8
Moon Apr 8
Frost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 25
May 6
MicrogreensN/AN/AN/A
Mustard GreensN/AN/AN/A
OkraFrost Mar 25-Apr 8
Moon Mar 25
Frost May 6-13
Moon May 7-13
Frost May 6-20
Moon May 7-20
Aug 10
OnionsN/AFrost Mar 25-Apr 8
Moon Mar 26-Apr 7
N/AJul 13
OreganoFrost Feb 11-Mar 11
Moon Feb 11-24
Frost Apr 29-May 13
Moon May 7-13
N/AAug 10
ParsleyFrost Feb 11-25
Moon Feb 11-24
Frost Apr 29-May 13
Moon May 7-13
Frost Mar 25-Apr 29
Moon Mar 25, Apr 9-23
Aug 3
ParsnipsN/AN/AFrost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 26-Apr 1
Jul 13
PeanutsN/AN/AFrost May 13-27
Moon May 24-27
PeasN/AN/AFrost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 25
May 6
PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Mar 25-Apr 8
Moon Mar 26-Apr 7
Aug 10
PumpkinsFrost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 8-15
Frost May 6-13
Moon May 7-13
Frost May 6-13
Moon May 7-13
Jul 6
RadishesN/AN/AFrost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 26-Apr 1
Aug 24
RosemaryFrost Jan 28-Feb 11
Moon Feb 9-11
Frost May 6-13
Moon May 7-13
N/AAug 24
SageFrost Feb 25-Mar 11
Frost Apr 29-May 13
Moon May 7-13
N/AAug 3
SalsifyN/AN/AFrost Mar 25-Apr 8
Moon Mar 26-Apr 7
Jul 13
SpinachFrost Mar 11-25
Moon Mar 11-25
Frost Apr 1-8
Moon Apr 8
Frost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 25
May 6
Sweet CornN/AN/AFrost May 6-20
Moon May 7-20
Aug 3
Sweet PotatoesN/AN/AFrost May 6-20
Moon May 6
Jul 6
Swiss ChardFrost Mar 11-25
Moon Mar 11-25
Frost Apr 8-22
Moon Apr 8-22
Frost Apr 1-22
Moon Apr 8-22
May 6
ThymeFrost Feb 11-25
Moon Feb 11-24
Frost Apr 29-May 6
N/AJul 27
TomatillosFrost Mar 11-25
Moon Mar 11-25
Frost May 6-20
Moon May 7-20
N/AAug 3
TomatoesFrost Feb 25-Mar 11
Frost May 6-13
Moon May 7-13
N/AJul 20
TurnipsN/AN/AFrost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 26-Apr 1
Sep 21
WatermelonsFrost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 8-15
Frost May 6-13
Moon May 7-13
Frost Apr 29-May 6
Jul 20
Winter SquashFrost Apr 1-8
Moon Apr 8
Frost Apr 29-May 13
Moon May 7-13
Frost May 6-13
Moon May 7-13
Jun 29
Zucchini (Summer Squash)Frost Apr 1-8
Moon Apr 8
Frost Apr 29-May 13
Moon May 7-13
Frost May 6-13
Moon May 7-13
Aug 17
The Old Farmer's Store