USDA hardiness zone
Zone 5 — -20 to -10°F
Iowa, southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, parts of New York · 150-day growing season
What grows in Zone 5
Zone 5 suits the following plants based on temperature tolerance and growing-season length:
- Tomatoes (full range of varieties)
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Squash, melons, cucumbers
- Beans (bush + pole)
- Sweet corn
- Apples, pears, plums
- Cherries (sweet + sour)
- Blueberries, raspberries
- Garlic
- Asparagus
- Herbs (perennial + annual)
Climate notes for Zone 5
Classic Midwest growing zone. Most US gardening books default to zone 5 timing. Mulch garlic and perennials before deep winter freezes.
Frost dates and timing
| Average last spring frost | late April / early May |
|---|---|
| Average first fall frost | late September / early October |
| Growing season length | ~150 days |
| Temperature range (F) | -20 to -10°F |
| Temperature range (C) | -29 to -23°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 5
Crop-by-crop sowing, transplant, and harvest dates for zone 5:
- When to plant tomatoes in zone 5
- When to plant peppers in zone 5
- When to plant basil in zone 5
- When to plant garlic in zone 5
- When to plant lettuce in zone 5
- When to plant bush beans in zone 5
- When to plant cucumbers in zone 5
- When to plant summer squash in zone 5
- When to plant peas in zone 5
- When to plant carrots in zone 5