Now is the time to start planting your garden if you live in USDA Hardiness Zone 3. Zone 3 stretches along the U.S.-Canada border and includes cities like International Falls, Minn and Sidney, Mont. This is one of the coldest regions in the country, but it still experiences a warm (sometimes hot) summer season. Most vegetables should only be planted in late spring, but a few fast-growing crops may be planted again at the end of summer for an early fall harvest.
The last average frost date in Zone 3 is between May 1 and May 30. Start plants indoors 6 weeks prior to the beginning of May, but do not transplant frost-tender plants until all threat of frost has passed. Some of the very frost-hardy plants, like greens and root vegetables, may be planted in mid- to late-April.
What to plant and when in Zone 3 (adapted from thevegetablegarden.info):
| —Crop Type — |
–Days to– Maturity | —Planting— Dates |
| Asparagus | 2nd season | Apr 15 – May 1 | |||||
| Bean, bush | 50-60 | May 15 – Jul 1 | |||||
| Bean, pole | 65-75 | May 15 – Jul 1 | |||||
| Bean, lima | 65-75 | May 15 | |||||
| Beet | 55-65 | May 15 – Jun 10 | |||||
| Broccoli | 60-80 | Apr 15 – Jul 1 | |||||
| Cabbage | 65-80 | Apr 1 – May 1 | |||||
| Chard, Swiss | 50-60 | May 1 | |||||
| Carrot | 70-80 | Apr 15 – Jun 15 | |||||
| Cauliflower | 55-60 | Apr 15 or Jun 1 | |||||
| Collards | 55-70 | Apr 15 | |||||
| Celery | 112 | May 15 | |||||
| Cucumber | 60-65 | May 1 – Jun 15 | |||||
| Eggplant | 75-90 | Jun 1 | |||||
| EndiveGarlic
Horseradish |
50-70100-120
180 |
Apr 15Oct 1 – Nov 1
Apr 15 – May 1 |
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| Kohlrabi | 50-70 | Apr 1 – 15 | |||||
| KaleLettuce, leaf
Lettuce, head |
55-7545
60-85 |
Apr 15 – May 15Apr 15 – June 15; Aug 1 – 15
Apr 15 – May 1 |
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| Muskmelon | 85-90 | May 15 – Jun 1 | |||||
| Okra | 55-60 | Jun 1 | |||||
| Onion | 100-120 | Apr 15 | |||||
| Peas, gardenParsley | 60-8075 | Apr 10 – May 15Apr 15 – May 1 | |||||
| Parsnips | 100-130 | May 1 – 15 | |||||
| Pepper | 65-80 | Jun 1 | |||||
| Potato, Irish | 70-90 | Apr 15 – Jun 1 | |||||
| Potato, sweetPumpkin | 90-15085-120 | Jun 1May 10 – Jun 1 | |||||
| RadishRhubarb
Rutabaga |
25-301 yr.
80-100 |
Apr 10 – Jun 1; Aug 1-15Apr 15 – May 1
May 15 – Jun 15 |
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| Spinach | 40-45 | Apr 15; Aug 1 – 15 | |||||
| Squash, bush | 50-55 | May 10 – Jun 1 | |||||
| Squash, winterSweet corn | 85-9065-70 | May 10 – Jun 1May 10 – Jul 1 | - | ||||
| Tomato | 70-85 | Apr 1 – 15; May 15 – 30 | |||||
| Turnip | 45-65 | Apr 15 or Aug 1 | |||||
| Watermelon | 80-90 | May 15 – Jun 1 |