What to Grow in USDA Zone 3a Short season, cold winters
USDA Hardiness Zone3a
Last Spring FrostMay 22
First Fall FrostSep 12
Growing Season113 days
USDA Hardiness Zone 3a is one of the coldest growing zones in the continental US, with a short 113-day growing season. Success here means starting seeds indoors early, choosing cold-hardy varieties, and using season extension techniques like cold frames and row covers. Focus on fast-maturing crops and frost-tolerant vegetables.
Top Crops for Zone 3a (456 compatible)
Carrot
Green Bean
Pea
Onion
Acai
African Nightshade
African Violet
Agretti
Air Plant
Aji Dulce
Almond
Alocasia
Alocasia Frydek
Alocasia Zebrina
Aloe Vera
Amaranth (Grain)
Amaranth Greens
Amaranth Microgreen
Amla
Annual Ryegrass
Anthurium
Anthurium Clarinervium
Anthurium Veitchii
Apple
Apricot
Artichoke (Globe)
Arugula
Aster Greens
Austrian Winter Pea
Avocado
Bacuri
Bamia
Banana
Banana Blossom
Banana Flower
Banana Plant
Baobab Fruit
Barberry
Barley
Bay Laurel
Bee Balm
Beet
Begonia Maculata
Belgian Endive
Bellflower Root
Bergamot
Betel Leaf
Bilberry
Bird of Paradise
Bird's Nest Fern
Bitter Melon
Bitter Melon Leaf
Black Mulberry
Black Salsify
Black-Eyed Pea
Black-Eyed Susan
Blackcurrant
Blood Orange
Bok Choy
Boston Fern
Breadfruit
Brinjal
Broad Bean
Broccoli Microgreen
Bromeliad
Brussels Sprouts
Buckwheat
Bullocks Heart
Bunched Carrot
Cabbage
Cactus
Caladium
Calamansi
Calathea
Calathea Orbifolia
Calathea White Fusion
Calendula
Camu Camu
Caper
Cardoon
Carob
Carolina Reaper
Cashew Fruit
Cassava
Cast Iron Plant
Cauliflower
Celeriac
Chamomile
Chanterelle
Chayote
Cherimoya
Cherry
Cherry Plum
Chestnut
Chickpea
Chicory
Chinese Evergreen
Chinese Money Plant
Chinese Yam
Chokeberry
Choy Sum
Christmas Cactus
Chrysanthemum
Cilantro Microgreen
Cloudberry
Cluster Bean
Coconut
Codonopsis Root
Coffee
Colocasia
Comfrey
Coriander (Seed)
Corn Plant
Cornelian Cherry
Cosmos Leaf
Cotton
Cowpea (Cover Crop)
Cowpea Leaves
Crabapple
Cranberry
Crimson Clover
Crosne
Croton
Cupuacu
Currant
Curry Leaf
Custard Apple
Cyclamen
Daikon (Tillage Radish)
Damson
Damson Plum
Dandelion
Date Palm
Dianthus
Dieffenbachia
Dracaena
Dracaena Marginata
Dracaena Warneckii
Dragon Fruit
Dried Lime
Drumstick
Drumstick Leaf
Durian
Dutch White Clover
Echeveria
Echinacea
Edamame
Egyptian Walking Onion
Elderberry
Elephant Foot Yam
Endive
English Ivy
Enoki
Enset
Falsa
Fava Bean
Feijoa
Feldsalat
Fenugreek Greens
Fenugreek Microgreen
Fernbrake
Ficus Audrey
Field Pea (Cover Crop)
Freekeh
Fuzzy Melon
Galangal
Geranium
Gesho
Ginger
Goji Berry
Golden Beet
Good King Henry
Gooseberry
Grape
Grape Leaves
Grapefruit
Green Almond
Green Papaya
Ground Cherry
Groundnut
Guava
Hairy Vetch
Hardy Kiwi
Haworthia
Hazelnut
Heartleaf Philodendron
Herb Platter
Hibiscus
Honeyberry
Horseradish
Horta
Hoya
Hoya Compacta
Hoya Kerrii
Hoya Pubicalyx
Hyssop
Impatiens
Indian Gooseberry
Indian Jujube
Jabuticaba
Jackfruit
Jade Plant
Japanese Yam
Jasmine
Java Plum
Jilo
Jujube
Kabosu
Kaffir Lime
Kalabasa
Karonda
Kashk
King Trumpet
Kiwano
Kiwi
Kohlrabi
Kokum
Komatsuna
Korarima
Korean Melon
Korean Pear
Korean Persimmon
Kumquat
Lampascioni
Lavender
Leek
Lemon
Lentil
Lima Bean
Lime
Lingonberry
Lion's Mane
Lipstick Plant
Longan
Loquat
Lotus Root
Lotus Stem
Lovage
Lucky Bamboo
Lucuma
Luffa
Lychee
Macadamia
Mache
Maitake
Majesty Palm
Mandarin
Mango
Mangosteen
Marble Queen Pothos
Marjoram (Sweet)
Mashua
Mastic
Maxixe
Medlar
Methi (Fenugreek)
Meyer Lemon
Millet (Pearl)
Mini Monstera
Mirabelle Plum
Mitsuba
Mizuna
Molokhia
Money Tree
Monstera Adansonii
Monstera Albo
Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera Peru
Monstera Thai Constellation
Moranga Squash
Morel
Moringa
Mulberry
Mung Bean Sprout
Mustard (Cover Crop)
Mustard Greens
Mustard Microgreen
Myoga
Napa Cabbage
Naranjilla
Nectarine
Neon Pothos
Nerve Plant
Nopal
Norfolk Island Pine
Oat
Oca
Olive
Orange
Orchid
Oregano
Oxalis
Oyster Mushroom
Papaya
Parlor Palm
Parsley
Passion Fruit
Pawpaw
Pea Shoot Microgreen
Peace Lily
Peach
Peanut
Pear
Pecan
Pennywort
Peperomia
Peperomia Obtusifolia
Pepino Dulce
Perilla Leaf
Persimmon
Phacelia
Philodendron Birkin
Philodendron Brasil
Philodendron Gloriosum
Philodendron Micans
Philodendron Pink Princess
Physalis
Pine Nut
Pineapple
Pistachio
Plum
Pointed Cabbage
Poire Williams
Polka Dot Begonia
Polka Dot Plant
Pomegranate
Pomelo
Ponytail Palm
Portobello Mushroom
Potato
Pothos
Prayer Plant
Prickly Pear
Puntarelle
Purple Kohlrabi
Purslane
Quince
Quinoa
Radicchio di Treviso
Radish Microgreen
Rambutan
Ramps
Rapini
Raw Banana
Red Clover
Reishi
Rex Begonia
Rice
Rocket
Romanesco
Rose
Rose Apple
Roselle
Rubber Plant
Rubber Tree Tineke
Rue
Runner Bean
Sabra Fruit
Saffron Crocus
Sage
Salsify
Samphire
Santol
Sapodilla
Satin Pothos
Savoy Cabbage
Schefflera
Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight
Scorzonera
Sea Buckthorn
Serviceberry
Shadberry
Shalgam
Shallot
Shiitake
Shiso
Silk Squash
Skirret
Snake Fruit
Snake Melon
Snake Plant
Snap Pea
Snapdragon
Snow Pea
Sorghum
Sour Cherry
Soursop
Spider Plant
Staghorn Fern
Stamppot Vegetables
Star Apple
Star Fruit
Stem Amaranth
Stink Bean
String of Dolphins
String of Hearts
String of Pearls
String of Turtles
Stromanthe Triostar
Succulent
Sudachi
Sugar Apple
Sunchoke
Sunflower Microgreen
Sunn Hemp
Swede
Sweet Alyssum
Tamarillo
Tamarind
Tansy
Tapioca
Taro
Taro Leaf
Taro Root
Tarragon (French)
Tatsoi
Teff
Thyme
Tinda
Torch Ginger
Tradescantia Nanouk
Tradescantia Zebrina
Tuberous Chervil
Turmeric
Turnip
Turnip Greens
Ulam Raja
Umbrella Plant
Ume
Viola
Walnut
Wasabi
Water Caltrop
Water Chestnut
Water Mimosa
Watercress
Welsh Onion
Wheat
Wheatgrass
White Beet
White Clover
White Currant
Wild Melon
Wine Cap
Winged Bean
Winter Rye
Wood Apple
Yacon
Yard-Long Bean
Yarrow
Yellow Bean
Young Radish
Yucca
Yuzu
Zaatar
ZZ Plant
Browse Other Zones
Zone 1a Zone 1b Zone 2a Zone 2b Zone 3a Zone 3b Zone 4a Zone 4b Zone 5a Zone 5b Zone 6a Zone 6b Zone 7a Zone 7b Zone 8a Zone 8b Zone 9a Zone 9b Zone 10a Zone 10b Zone 11a Zone 11b Zone 12a Zone 12b Zone 13a Zone 13bPlan Your Zone 3a Garden
Get personalized planting dates, frost alerts, and crop recommendations for your exact location.
Start Free