By Robin Jones
Spring Has Sprung onPeakers! Want to know what to Plant (and When) Across the U.S.? Stick with me, kid.
Longer days. Warmer air. That first brave tulip pushing through the soil like it pays property taxes. Spring is officially in the chat.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or someone who just bought their first packet of seeds because they liked the picture on the front (no judgment, I still do it), what you can plant in spring depends on one key thing: your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) created a system that divides the country into numbered zones based on average winter temperatures. Translation? It helps you figure out what won’t instantly perish in your yard.
Let’s break it down by region so you can plant with confidence.
🌴 Zones 9–11 (Deep South, Southern California, Hawaii)
If you’re in places like southern Texas, Florida, coastal California, or Hawaii — congratulations. You live in what the rest of us call “gardening on easy mode.”
Great spring picks:
- Hibiscus
- Bougainvillea
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
- Cosmos
- Sunflowers
You can also start warm-season veggies early. Tomatoes and peppers? Already thriving.
Pro tip: In these zones, summer heat can be intense, so spring is prime time to plant before things get spicy.
🌷 Zones 7–8 (Mid-South, Pacific Northwest, parts of the Southeast)
Think: North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, parts of Oregon and Washington.
Spring here is chef’s kiss. Mild, manageable, and full of options.
Plant these in early to mid-spring:
- Petunias
- Snapdragons
- Coneflowers
- Black-eyed Susans
- Lavender
You can also get a head start on:
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Carrots
Pro tip: Watch your last frost date — sneaky cold snaps love to show up uninvited.
🌼 Zones 5–6 (Midwest, parts of the Northeast)
Hello, Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Colorado — you know winter. Intimately.
Spring planting usually starts later here, but when it hits? It’s glorious.
Early spring (cool-season champs):
- Pansies
- Violas
- Sweet peas
- Kale
After last frost:
- Daisies
- Salvia
- Peonies
- Bee balm
Pro tip: Start seeds indoors if you’re feeling ambitious. It gives you a head start while the weather makes up its mind.
🌸 Zones 3–4 (Northern Midwest, Northern New England, Mountain West)
Montana, North Dakota, northern Minnesota — we see your resilience. New York, spring is coming, I swear.
Your growing season is shorter, so timing matters.
Cold-hardy heroes:
- Pansies
- Columbine
- Bleeding heart
- Hostas
Once frost danger passes:
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Nasturtiums
Pro tip: Raised beds warm up faster in spring and can give you a helpful jumpstart.
🌱 Not Sure What Zone You’re In
You can search your zip code using the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map on the United States Department of Agriculture website to find your zone in seconds. https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/
Why This Matters (Even If You’re Just “Plant Curious”)
Gardening is a little bit science, a little bit patience, and a lot of hope. Knowing your zone helps you:
- Avoid planting too early
- Save money (RIP to all the flowers I planted before a surprise frost)
- Actually see your garden thrive
And honestly? There’s something grounding about tending to something that grows.
So whether you’re planting a full backyard oasis or just a few pots on your balcony, this is your sign: spring is the reset button.
Photos from Robin’s Garden
What’s going in your garden this year? Let us know in the Lobby of Hobbies teams channel! 🌿
