Rochester planting schedule

The following planting schedule is designed for people that live in Rochester. Rochester falls under the 4b hardiness zone. It means the average minimum temperature is between -25 to -20 °F (-31.7 to -28.9 °C). These values should be taken into account when planting, because most plants cannot withstand frost, so when colder air arrives, the plants should be placed in a frost-free area.

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Why do you need a planting calendar?

The planting calendar is useful for every gardener.

  • Ensures your plants grow during the best temperature and light conditions, leading to healthier plants.
  • Provides a continuous supply of fresh produce throughout the growing season, reducing the need to buy from stores.
  • Saves water and fertilizer by using them when plants need them most, reducing waste and cost.
  • Spreads gardening tasks over the season, making gardening more manageable and enjoyable

What do the dates mean?

In the table below, you can see 4 dates.

Sowing seeds indoor: Sowing seeds indoors is a crucial step in gardening, allowing gardeners to extend the growing season and ensure healthy plant development. The ideal indoor sowing date varies by plant type and local climate but generally occurs 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date. This early start provides young plants with a controlled environment, promoting strong root systems and robust growth before transplanting outdoors. Indoor sowing helps avoid the harsh conditions of early spring, reducing the risk of frost damage and giving plants a head start. Proper timing and care during this stage are essential for a successful gardening season.

Transplanting to outdoor: Transplanting plants outdoors is typically done after the last frost date when the soil has warmed. This timing ensures that young plants can thrive without the risk of frost damage. Transplanting usually occurs 1-2 weeks after sowing seeds indoors, allowing plants to establish strong roots. Gradually acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions through a process called hardening off, ensuring a smooth transition and promoting healthy growth.

Harvesting: Harvesting usually occurs three months after sowing seeds, depending on the specific plant’s maturity period. This timing ensures the produce reaches peak ripeness and nutritional value. Monitoring the growth and health of plants is essential to determine the precise harvesting time. Properly timed harvesting maximizes yield and flavor, providing fresh, home-grown produce at its best.

Last Month to plant: The last month a vegetable can be planted is determined by counting back from the first expected frost date, ensuring the plant has enough time to mature before cold weather arrives. Planting too late can result in stunted growth or failure to produce a harvest. Always check the specific requirements for each vegetable and your local frost dates to optimize planting times and achieve a successful yield.

Our planting calendar recommends planting your vegetables and herbs in the given months in Rochester.

Vegetables

Plant Sow seeds indoor Transplanting to outdoor Harvesting Month Last date
Cucumber N/A N/A N/A N/A
Brussels Sprouts May 7 May 14 August 2 July 7
Tomato June 10 June 15 August 9 July 11
Spinach April 7 April 17 May 22 September 19
Beets May 2nd May 12th July 1st August 16th
Zucchini N/A N/A N/A N/A
Cabbages N/A N/A N/A N/A
Potato May 2 May 12 July 11 August 6
Radish April 29 May 4 June 1 September 7
Broccoli May 2 May 12 July 6 August 17
Carrot March 20 April 3 June 26 August 10
Cauliflower April 22 April 29 June 18 August 22
Onion March 25 April 3 August 1 July 5

Herbs

Plant Sow seeds indoor Transplanting to outdoor Harvesting Month Last date
Marjoram May 25 June 1 July 6 August 9
Parsley March 14 April 3 May 23 September 11
Dill July 3 July 13 August 10 July 14
Fennel April 7 April 21 July 6 August 18
Sage May 22 June 1 July 31 July 15
Thyme December 28 January 17 March 17 November 1
Oregano April 27 May 4 June 18 August 21
Mustard April 27 May 4 June 3 September 5
Mint June 16 June 26 August 25 June 27
Lavender April 24 May 8 June 17 August 26
Rosemary April 2 April 17 July 6 August 5
Ginger N/A N/A N/A N/A
Basil May 25 June 4 July 24 July 13
Cilantro May 2 May 9 August 30 June 13

When can you grow Marjoram in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on May 25, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 50 °F (10 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Marjoram can tolerate. Then, wait for days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Marjoram to outdoor on June 1. It takes 35 days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on July 6. You need to wait for May 25 to start sowing seeds.

When can you grow Cucumber in Rochester?

Due to the fact, that the temperature is not stable above 61 °F (16 °C) at any time of the year, Cucumber cannot be planted outdoors. In order to grow this plant indoors, it is necessary to create artificial conditions. These specific conditions are difficult to create, so we don't recommend planting Cucumber in your city.

When can you grow Brussels Sprouts in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on May 7, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 45 °F (7 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Brussels Sprouts can tolerate. Then, wait for days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Brussels Sprouts to outdoor on May 14. It takes days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on August 2. You can plant your Brussels Sprouts until July 07.

When can you grow Tomato in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on June 10, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 54 °F (12 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Tomato can tolerate. Then, wait for days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Tomato to outdoor on June 15. It takes 54 days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on August 9. You can plant your Tomato until July 11.

When can you grow Parsley in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on March 14, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 32 °F (0 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Parsley can tolerate. Then, wait for 20 days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Parsley to outdoor on April 3. It takes 50 days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on May 23. You can plant your Parsley until September 11.

When can you grow Dill in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on July 3, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 59 °F (15 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Dill can tolerate. Then, wait for days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Dill to outdoor on July 13. It takes days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on August 10. You can plant your Dill until July 14.

When can you grow Spinach in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on April 7, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 36 °F (2 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Spinach can tolerate. Then, wait for 5 days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Spinach to outdoor on April 17. It takes 40 days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on May 22. You can plant your Spinach until September 19.

When can you grow Fennel in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on April 7, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 32 °F (0 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Fennel can tolerate. Then, wait for 14 days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Fennel to outdoor on April 21. It takes 76 days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on July 6. You need to wait for April 7 to start sowing seeds.

When can you grow Sage in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on May 22, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 50 °F (10 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Sage can tolerate. Then, wait for days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Sage to outdoor on June 1. It takes 60 days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on July 31. You can plant your Sage until July 15.

When can you grow Beets in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on May 2nd, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 41 °F (5 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Beets can tolerate. Then, wait for days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Beets to outdoor on May 12th. It takes days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on July 1st. You need to wait for May 2nd to start sowing seeds.

When can you grow Thyme in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on December 28, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above -4 °F (-20 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Thyme can tolerate. Then, wait for 20 days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Thyme to outdoor on January 17. It takes 60 days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on March 17. You can plant your Thyme until November 01.

When can you grow Oregano in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on April 27, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 41 °F (5 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Oregano can tolerate. Then, wait for days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Oregano to outdoor on May 4. It takes 45 days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on June 18. You need to wait for April 27 to start sowing seeds.

When can you grow Mustard in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on April 27, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 41 °F (5 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Mustard can tolerate. Then, wait for days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Mustard to outdoor on May 4. It takes days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on June 3. You can plant your Mustard until September 05.

When can you grow Mint in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on June 16, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 56 °F (13 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Mint can tolerate. Then, wait for days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Mint to outdoor on June 26. It takes 60 days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on August 25. You can plant your Mint until June 27.

When can you grow Lavender in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on April 24, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 41 °F (5 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Lavender can tolerate. Then, wait for days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Lavender to outdoor on May 8. It takes days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on June 17. You need to wait for April 24 to start sowing seeds.

When can you grow Rosemary in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on April 2, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 36 °F (2 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Rosemary can tolerate. Then, wait for days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Rosemary to outdoor on April 17. It takes days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on July 6. You need to wait for April 2 to start sowing seeds.

When can you grow Zucchini in Rochester?

Due to the fact, that the temperature is not stable above 59 °F (15 °C) at any time of the year, Zucchini cannot be planted outdoors. In order to grow this plant indoors, it is necessary to create artificial conditions. These specific conditions are difficult to create, so we don't recommend planting Zucchini in your city.

When can you grow Cabbages in Rochester?

Due to the fact, that the temperature is not stable above 61 °F (16 °C) at any time of the year, Cabbages cannot be planted outdoors. In order to grow this plant indoors, it is necessary to create artificial conditions. These specific conditions are difficult to create, so we don't recommend planting Cabbages in your city.

When can you grow Potato in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on May 2, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 41 °F (4.5 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Potato can tolerate. Then, wait for days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Potato to outdoor on May 12. It takes days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on July 11. You need to wait for May 2 to start sowing seeds.

When can you grow Radish in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on April 29, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 41 °F (5 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Radish can tolerate. Then, wait for days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Radish to outdoor on May 4. It takes 28 days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on June 1. You can plant your Radish until September 07.

When can you grow Broccoli in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on May 2, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 40 °F (4 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Broccoli can tolerate. Then, wait for days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Broccoli to outdoor on May 12. It takes days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on July 6. You need to wait for May 2 to start sowing seeds.

When can you grow Carrot in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on March 20, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 32 °F (0 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Carrot can tolerate. Then, wait for 14 days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Carrot to outdoor on April 3. It takes 84 days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on June 26. You need to wait for March 20 to start sowing seeds.

When can you grow Cauliflower in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on April 22, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 40 °F (4 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Cauliflower can tolerate. Then, wait for days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Cauliflower to outdoor on April 29. It takes days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on June 18. You need to wait for April 22 to start sowing seeds.

When can you grow Onion in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on March 25, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 20 °F (-7 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Onion can tolerate. Then, wait for 9 days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Onion to outdoor on April 3. It takes 120 days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on August 1. You can plant your Onion until July 05.

When can you grow Ginger in Rochester?

Due to the fact, that the temperature is not stable above 50 °F (10 °C) at any time of the year, Ginger cannot be planted outdoors. In order to grow this plant indoors, it is necessary to create artificial conditions. These specific conditions are difficult to create, so we don't recommend planting Ginger in your city.

When can you grow Basil in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on May 25, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 59 °F (15 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Basil can tolerate. Then, wait for 10 days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Basil to outdoor on June 4. It takes 50 days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on July 24. You can plant your Basil until July 13.

When can you grow Cilantro in Rochester?

You can start sowing your seeds on May 2, because during this period, night temperatures are already stable above 41 °F (5 °C) in Rochester. This is the minimum temperature Cilantro can tolerate. Then, wait for 7 days for germination. After that, you can transplant your Cilantro to outdoor on May 9. It takes 113 days to grow you plant, so you can harvest it on August 30. You can plant your Cilantro until June 13.