USDA hardiness zone
Zone 3 — -40 to -30°F
Northern Minnesota, North Dakota, interior Alaska · 110-day growing season
What grows in Zone 3
Zone 3 suits the following plants based on temperature tolerance and growing-season length:
- Apple (Honeycrisp, Haralson)
- Plum (Mount Royal)
- Sour cherry
- Currants
- Strawberries
- Asparagus
- Tomatoes (short-season)
- Carrots
- Peas
- Beans (bush)
- Squash (winter)
- Garlic (fall-planted)
Climate notes for Zone 3
Frost-tender vegetables need row covers and short-season varieties. Heat-loving crops (peppers, eggplant) require greenhouses or season extension.
Frost dates and timing
| Average last spring frost | late May |
|---|---|
| Average first fall frost | early September |
| Growing season length | ~110 days |
| Temperature range (F) | -40 to -30°F |
| Temperature range (C) | -40 to -34°C |
These are zone-wide averages. Local microclimates (south-facing slopes, urban heat, lakeside warmth) can shift dates by 1-2 weeks within the same zone.
Source and methodology
Temperature ranges from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023). Frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online national averages within each zone. Plant recommendations curated by the Growli editorial team from US extension service references.
What to plant in Zone 3
Crop-by-crop sowing, transplant, and harvest dates for zone 3:
- When to plant tomatoes in zone 3
- When to plant basil in zone 3
- When to plant garlic in zone 3
- When to plant lettuce in zone 3
- When to plant bush beans in zone 3
- When to plant cucumbers in zone 3
- When to plant summer squash in zone 3
- When to plant peas in zone 3
- When to plant carrots in zone 3
- When to plant broccoli in zone 3
- When to plant cauliflower in zone 3
- When to plant cabbage in zone 3
- When to plant kale in zone 3
- When to plant brussels sprouts in zone 3
- When to plant collard greens in zone 3
- When to plant spinach in zone 3
- When to plant swiss chard in zone 3
- When to plant arugula in zone 3
- When to plant beets in zone 3
- When to plant radishes in zone 3
- When to plant turnips in zone 3
- When to plant parsnips in zone 3
- When to plant kohlrabi in zone 3
- When to plant onions in zone 3
- When to plant leeks in zone 3
- When to plant celery in zone 3
- When to plant asparagus in zone 3
- When to plant rhubarb in zone 3
- When to plant potatoes in zone 3
- When to plant sweet corn in zone 3
- When to plant pumpkins in zone 3
- When to plant winter squash in zone 3
- When to plant zucchini in zone 3
- When to plant watermelon in zone 3
- When to plant pole beans in zone 3
- When to plant fava beans in zone 3
- When to plant cilantro in zone 3
- When to plant dill in zone 3
- When to plant parsley in zone 3
- When to plant oregano in zone 3
- When to plant chives in zone 3
Common questions
What can I plant in USDA Zone 3?
Zone 3 suits Apple (Honeycrisp, Haralson), Plum (Mount Royal), Sour cherry, Currants, Strawberries, Asparagus, and more, based on its 110-day growing season and -40 to -30°F average minimum temperatures.
When is the last frost in Zone 3?
The average last spring frost in Zone 3 passes around late May, and the first fall frost arrives around early September. Wait until after the last frost date before planting tender crops outdoors.
How long is the growing season in Zone 3?
Zone 3 has roughly 110 frost-free growing days between the average last spring frost (late May) and the first fall frost (early September).
What is the temperature range of USDA Zone 3?
USDA Zone 3 is defined by average annual minimum temperatures of -40 to -30°F (-40 to -34°C).
When can I start planting in Zone 3?
Hardy cool-season crops can go outdoors a few weeks before the last frost (late May); tender crops should wait until 1–2 weeks after it. Start warm-season seeds indoors about 6–8 weeks before late May.