USDA hardiness zone
Zone 4 — -30 to -20°F
Northern Maine, northern Wisconsin, Montana, parts of New England · 125-day growing season
What grows in Zone 4
Zone 4 suits the following plants based on temperature tolerance and growing-season length:
- Apple, pear, plum, sour cherry
- Blueberries (highbush)
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
- Peppers (short-season)
- Cucumbers
- Beans
- Squash (summer + winter)
- Garlic
- Onions
- Carrots
Climate notes for Zone 4
Tomatoes and peppers benefit from row covers in early season. Mulch heavily over winter for perennials and garlic.
Frost dates and timing
| Average last spring frost | mid-May |
|---|---|
| Average first fall frost | mid-September |
| Growing season length | ~125 days |
| Temperature range (F) | -30 to -20°F |
| Temperature range (C) | -34 to -29°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 4
Crop-by-crop sowing, transplant, and harvest dates for zone 4:
- When to plant tomatoes in zone 4
- When to plant peppers in zone 4
- When to plant basil in zone 4
- When to plant garlic in zone 4
- When to plant lettuce in zone 4
- When to plant bush beans in zone 4
- When to plant cucumbers in zone 4
- When to plant summer squash in zone 4
- When to plant peas in zone 4
- When to plant carrots in zone 4