Zone 4 Planting Guide
Cold — Upper Midwest, New England, Mountain West
- Min Winter Temp
- -30 to -20 °F / -34 to -29 °C
- Last Spring Frost
- Early – mid May
- First Fall Frost
- Mid September – mid October
- Growing Season
- 120–150 days
- Annual Rainfall
- 20–45 in
Climate overview
Zone 4 is where gardening starts to open up considerably. A broad palette of perennial flowers, shrubs, and even some fruit trees (particularly cold-hardy apple and plum varieties) perform reliably. Vegetable gardeners can grow most cool-season crops without protection and can ripen heat-loving crops like tomatoes and cucumbers with a modest indoor start. The key challenge is managing both ends of the season — late spring frosts in May and early fall frosts in September can clip harvests if gardeners aren't watchful. Soil quality varies widely: deep, fertile soils in the Midwest vs. thin, rocky soils in New England.
States & regions
- Minnesota (most of state)
- Wisconsin
- Michigan (Upper Peninsula)
- Northern Iowa
- Vermont
- New Hampshire
- Northern New York
- Parts of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho
Example cities
- Minneapolis, MN
- Madison, WI
- Burlington, VT
- Bozeman, MT
- Marquette, MI
Soil notes
Midwestern zones have deep, loamy soils; New England zones tend toward rocky, acidic soils requiring lime and organic amendment.
- Temperature range
- -30 to -20 °F / -34 to -29 °C
- Growing season
- 120–150 days
- Annual rainfall
- 20–45 inches
Challenges
- May frosts can damage transplants set out too early
- September frosts cut short warm-season harvests
- Winter kill of marginally hardy shrubs in harsh years
Advantages
- Reliable snow cover protects perennial roots
- Long, warm summers with low humidity in Midwest
- Wide perennial plant palette available
- Excellent apple and cold-hardy fruit growing region
Gardening strategies for Zone 4
- 1
Direct-sow peas, spinach, and lettuce as soon as soil is workable (April)
- 2
Transplant tomatoes and peppers after May 15 in most locations
- 3
Grow cold-hardy apple varieties: Honeycrisp, Haralson, Zestar
- 4
Plant perennials in spring to allow full root establishment before winter
- 5
Use mulch to moderate soil temperature swings in spring and fall
Monthly planting calendar
What to sow, transplant, and harvest each month in Zone 4.
Browse by sun exposure
Find the best plants for your specific spot in Zone 4.
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Targeted guides for vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers in Zone 4.