Early to mid-summer is the perfect time to plan ahead for the rest of the growing season. The average first frost date for the Saint Paul area is Oct. 1, so there is still plenty of time to plant and get abundant crops! Check the backs of seed packages for days to maturity to help you decide what can be planted when, or use the general guide below:
Around July 1
About 3 months (84-98 days) before the average first frost date
- Bush beans and dry beans
- Cucumbers
- Summer squash and some winter squash
- Some melons
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Collards and kale — can be harvested after the first snow!
Around July 15
2 ½ to 3 months (70-84 days) before the average first frost date
- Carrots
- Beets
- Radishes
Around July 29
About 2 ½ months (56-70 days) before the average first frost date. These vegetables do better in cooler weather:
- Arugula
- Lettuces
- Asian greens
- Spinach
- Peas
- Radishes
Around Aug. 12
About 1 ½ months (42-49 days) before the average first frost date
- Cilantro
- More spinach and lettuce and radishes!
- More peas — you may not get any peas, but you will have delicious tendrils for stir fries and salads!