Interactive planting guide · Canada & United States
Find your zone. Choose your season and setup. See what fits—and what each crop needs.
Canada uses NRCan’s 2025 map; U.S. ZIP codes use USDA/OSU 2023 data, including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Canadian postal results use the first three characters.
Indoors means controlled warmth and adequate grow lighting. A windowsill or unheated greenhouse is not a year-round growing guarantee.
Use local climate normals, then check the forecast. Dates are planning estimates, not guarantees. Canadian normals · U.S. normals
Find your zone above for local hardiness context. The crop suggestions below are general seasonal candidates.
Tender crops go out after frost risk and cold nights pass.
Your crop shortlist
25 crops · strongest seasonal or setup matches first. Open a crop for details.
Plant when soil is workable and the crop’s frost tolerance suits the forecast.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
Heat can cause bolting and bitterness. Harvest young leaves regularly.
Hydroponic fit: NFT or aerated deep water culture.
Greenhouse humidity: 50–70% (Cornell lettuce protocol)
Plant when soil is workable and the crop’s frost tolerance suits the forecast.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
Choose compact cultivars and harvest leaves. Heat and frost tolerance vary.
Hydroponic fit: NFT or aerated deep water culture.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Plant when soil is workable and the crop’s frost tolerance suits the forecast.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
Choose compact cultivars and harvest leaves. Heat and frost tolerance vary.
Hydroponic fit: NFT or aerated deep water culture.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Plant when soil is workable and the crop’s frost tolerance suits the forecast.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
Choose compact cultivars and harvest leaves. Heat and frost tolerance vary.
Hydroponic fit: NFT or aerated deep water culture.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Plant when soil is workable and the crop’s frost tolerance suits the forecast.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
Choose compact cultivars and harvest leaves. Heat and frost tolerance vary.
Hydroponic fit: NFT or aerated deep water culture.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Plant when soil is workable and the crop’s frost tolerance suits the forecast.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
Choose compact cultivars and harvest leaves. Heat and frost tolerance vary.
Hydroponic fit: NFT or aerated deep water culture.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Plant when soil is workable and the crop’s frost tolerance suits the forecast.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
Full heads need space. Time maturity for cool weather; frost tolerance does not mean rapid winter growth.
Hydroponic fit: Soil is the simpler starting point.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Plant when soil is workable and the crop’s frost tolerance suits the forecast.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
Direct sow into loose, workable soil. Root crops are less straightforward in water-based hydroponic systems.
Hydroponic fit: Prefer soil or deep containers.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Plant when soil is workable and the crop’s frost tolerance suits the forecast.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
Direct sow into loose, workable soil. Root crops are less straightforward in water-based hydroponic systems.
Hydroponic fit: Prefer soil or deep containers.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Plant when soil is workable and the crop’s frost tolerance suits the forecast.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
Direct sow into loose, workable soil. Root crops are less straightforward in water-based hydroponic systems.
Hydroponic fit: Prefer soil or deep containers.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Plant when soil is workable and the crop’s frost tolerance suits the forecast.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
Succession sow. Heat and long days encourage bolting.
Hydroponic fit: NFT or aerated deep water culture.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Plant when soil is workable and the crop’s frost tolerance suits the forecast.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
Slow to germinate; transplants shorten the wait.
Hydroponic fit: NFT or aerated deep water culture.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Plant when soil is workable and the crop’s frost tolerance suits the forecast.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
Contain vigorous roots. Overwintering depends on species, cultivar and site.
Hydroponic fit: NFT or aerated deep water culture.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Plant when soil is workable and the crop’s frost tolerance suits the forecast.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
Cold tolerant, but harden transplants first. Plant into workable soil around 7°C or warmer.
Soil: 7–18°C preferred planting range (source values in °C).
Hydroponic fit: Soil or containers recommended.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Plant when soil is workable and the crop’s frost tolerance suits the forecast.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
A cool-tolerant flower. Harden seedlings and follow the cultivar’s spacing and sowing instructions.
Hydroponic fit: Soil or containers recommended.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Plant after local frost risk, with sufficiently warm soil and nights.
Greenhouse crop profile; adjust for cultivar and light.
Provide a trellis and pollination. Move outdoors after frost risk and cool nights have passed.
Hydroponic fit: Drip-fed substrate / Dutch buckets.
Greenhouse humidity: 60–70% (greenhouse tomato)
Plant after local frost risk, with sufficiently warm soil and nights.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
Plant after frost risk. Allow root space, adequate light and support or pollination as the cultivar needs.
Hydroponic fit: Drip-fed substrate with plant supports.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Plant after local frost risk, with sufficiently warm soil and nights.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
Choose a greenhouse/parthenocarpic cultivar for protected production. Cold soil and cold nights can set plants back.
Hydroponic fit: Drip-fed substrate with plant supports.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Plant after local frost risk, with sufficiently warm soil and nights.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
Plant after frost risk. Allow root space, adequate light and support or pollination as the cultivar needs.
Hydroponic fit: Soil is simpler; substrate drip is an advanced option.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Plant after local frost risk, with sufficiently warm soil and nights.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
Plant after frost risk. Allow root space, adequate light and support or pollination as the cultivar needs.
Hydroponic fit: Soil is simpler; substrate drip is an advanced option.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Plant after local frost risk, with sufficiently warm soil and nights.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
Frost tender. Keep warmer than cool-season greens; pinch tips to encourage branching.
Hydroponic fit: NFT or aerated deep water culture.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Match the plant label to the same zone system. Establishment, chilling and flowering vary by cultivar.
Greenhouse crop profile; adjust for cultivar and light.
Day-neutral and June-bearing cultivars behave differently. Match cultivar hardiness and provide pollination; protected crops need adequate light.
Hydroponic fit: Drip-fed substrate; NFT with careful root management.
Greenhouse humidity: 40–60% daytime (OSU greenhouse strawberry)
Zone check: Find your zone, then select a cultivar rated for that zone system. Roots in exposed pots need extra winter protection.
Match the plant label to the same zone system. Establishment, chilling and flowering vary by cultivar.
Perennial growth, dormancy and chilling have different needs.
A long-term perennial. Match cultivar hardiness and chilling; soil pH 4.5–5.5. Beginner NFT/DWC is not recommended.
Hydroponic fit: Acidic soil or large substrate containers.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Zone check: Find your zone, then select a cultivar rated for that zone system. Roots in exposed pots need extra winter protection.
Match the plant label to the same zone system. Establishment, chilling and flowering vary by cultivar.
Perennial growth, dormancy and chilling have different needs.
Match cultivar hardiness and cane type. Late fall-bearing varieties can run out of growing season. Beginner NFT/DWC is not recommended.
Hydroponic fit: Soil or large substrate containers.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Zone check: Find your zone, then select a cultivar rated for that zone system. Roots in exposed pots need extra winter protection.
Plant after local frost risk, with sufficiently warm soil and nights.
Broad cool/warm-season planning range; not a cultivar-specific optimum.
Sow after frost with warm soil. Water at the root zone and give leaves room to dry.
Soil: At least 20–21°C for outdoor sowing (source values in °C).
Hydroponic fit: Soil or containers recommended.
Greenhouse humidity: Use crop-specific guidance. Avoid persistent condensation and wet foliage; no single humidity target fits every crop.
Greenhouse essentials
Measure air at plant height, away from direct sun. Track nighttime lows as well as daytime highs: an unheated house can freeze overnight and overheat on a sunny day.
Ventilate, circulate air, space plants and irrigate early enough for leaves to dry. Persistent condensation is a cue to improve moisture control. Humidity targets vary by crop—lettuce, tomatoes and strawberries have separate profiles above.
In winter, heat cannot replace light. Supplemental lighting may be needed for active growth and fruiting. In summer, shading and ventilation can reduce excess heat.
Hydroponics essentials
NFT (nutrient film technique): a shallow moving nutrient stream suits many greens and herbs. Roots need dependable flow; pump failure can dry them quickly.
DWC (deep water culture): roots sit in an aerated nutrient solution. A useful starting system for leafy crops; keep aeration reliable.
Drip-fed substrate / Dutch buckets: support larger fruiting plants such as tomatoes and cucumbers. Plan drainage, irrigation and trellising.
Water temperature is separate from air temperature. Measure the reservoir and follow a crop-specific protocol. Cornell’s lettuce protocol keeps nutrient solution at or below 25°C (77°F); that is a protocol limit, not a universal target for every crop. Warm water holds less oxygen.
Use the nutrient planner →Use this as a starting shortlist, then check your seed packet, cultivar hardiness, local frost dates, days to maturity and current conditions. Air growth ranges are not seed-germination temperatures. Berries are long-term plantings; choosing a season does not promise a harvest that season.
Canadian zones combine multiple climate factors. USDA zones describe average annual extreme minimum temperatures. Neither is a weather forecast. Lookup results represent a town centre or postal/ZIP area, not the exact microclimate of your garden.
U.S. zone data: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University. ZIP zone values are reproduced unchanged. Canada lookup: Natural Resources Canada geolocation service and 2025 Plant Hardiness Zones map (1991–2020 climate). Location queries are sent to the lookup service; this guide does not save your location.