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Seed Sowing Calendar β€” Westport, CT

Seed Sowing Calendar

Westport, CT  Β·  Zone 7a
What to plant this weekend
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Flowers
Vegetables
cold-hardy β€” sow now
last chance β€” timing matters
warm-season β€” after frost
succession sow
March
March 29–30
~3 weeks to last frost
PoppiesSweet peasLarkspurNigellaBachelor's buttonsCalendulaAlyssumStockCerintheAmmi majus
Prime cold-sowing window. Poppies, larkspur, and sweet peas actively want cold soil β€” this is exactly when they want to go in.
April
April 5–6
~2 weeks to last frost
PoppiesSweet peasLarkspurNigellaBachelor's buttonsCalendulaAlyssumStockSnapdragonsScabiosaStatice
Snapdragons, scabiosa, and statice join the roster. Everything from last week still very much in play.
April 12–13
~1 week to last frost
PoppiesSweet peas β€” last callLarkspur β€” last callNigellaBachelor's buttonsCalendulaAlyssumStockSnapdragons
Last realistic window for sweet peas and larkspur β€” both bolt once heat arrives. Push past this date and you lose them for the season.
April 19–20
around last frost
PoppiesCalendulaAlyssumNigellaNasturtiumsSunflowersCosmosCleome
Check the forecast before committing warm-season seeds. Nasturtiums are especially frost-sensitive β€” one cold night sets them back significantly.
April 26–27
post-frost, soil warming
ZinniasCosmosSunflowersMarigoldsNasturtiumsCleomeLavateraMorning gloryCalendulaNigella
Green light for warm-season annuals. Zinnias want soil at 65Β°F+ β€” if it's been a cold April, give it one more week.
May
May 3–4
ZinniasCosmosSunflowersCelosiaGomphrenaTithoniaLavateraCleome
Celosia, gomphrena, and tithonia come into their own. Staggering zinnias and cosmos every 2–3 weeks extends bloom time meaningfully.
May 10–11
ZinniasCosmosMarigoldsPortulacaCelosiaMorning gloryMoonflower
Portulaca and moonflower need genuinely warm soil. If spring has been cool, wait until the third week of May for these two.
May 17–18
ZinniasCosmosSunflowersPortulacaCelosiaGomphrenaBlack-eyed Susan vine
May 24–25
ZinniasMarigoldsSunflowersPortulacaCelosia
Focus on fast-maturing varieties (50–60 days). Flowers sown now will bloom well into fall.
May 31–June 1
ZinniasCosmosMarigoldsSunflowers (quick types)Portulaca
June
June 7–8
ZinniasMarigoldsSunflowers (quick types)Portulaca
Stick to varieties with 55–65 day bloom times. Benary's Giant and ProCut zinnias both hit this window reliably.
June 14–15
Zinnias (last round)Marigolds (last round)PortulacaNasturtiums (trailing)
June 21–22
Zinnias β€” very last callPortulacaNasturtiums (trailing)
Zinnias sown now will bloom in September. Quick marigolds still possible for containers.
June 28–29
PortulacaNasturtiums (trailing)
Season winds down for direct-sow annuals. Attention turns to fall planning.
cold-hardy β€” sow now
last chance β€” timing matters
warm-season β€” after frost
succession sow
fall crop
March
March 29–30
~3 weeks to last frost
PeasSpinachArugulaLettuceMacheRadishesKaleSwiss chardCarrotsBeetsCilantroDill
Soil is cold but workable. Peas thrive in cool conditions and struggle once summer heat arrives β€” this is exactly their window.
April
April 5–6
~2 weeks to last frost
PeasSpinachArugulaLettuceRadishesKaleSwiss chardCarrotsBeetsTurnipsMustard greensParsnips
Turnips, mustard greens, and parsnips join the list. Parsnips are slow to germinate β€” keep the seedbed moist and be patient.
April 12–13
~1 week to last frost
PeasSpinachArugulaLettuceRadishesKaleSwiss chardCarrotsBeetsCilantroDill
Still excellent for all cool-season crops. Peas are at their peak β€” they want to be in the ground before the weather turns warm.
April 19–20
around last frost
Peas β€” last callSpinachArugulaLettuceRadishesKaleSwiss chardBeans (if frost-free)
Watch the forecast. Beans will sulk or rot in cold, wet soil β€” only sow them if nights are consistently above 45Β°F.
April 26–27
post-frost, soil warming
BeansSummer squashCucumbersCornBasilLettuceRadishesSpinach
Green light for warm-season crops. Succession-sow lettuce and radishes every 2 weeks for continuous harvest.
May
May 3–4
BeansSummer squashCucumbersEdamameCornBasilLettuceRadishes
Succession-sowing beans and summer squash every 3 weeks extends your harvest window significantly.
May 10–11
BeansSummer squashCucumbersCornBasilWinter squashPumpkinsRadishes
Start winter squash and pumpkins now β€” they need 90–100 days and appreciate going in by mid-May.
May 17–18
BeansSummer squashCucumbersRadishesBasilWinter squash β€” last call
Last realistic window for winter squash and pumpkins if you want a full-season harvest before first fall frost.
May 24–25
BeansSummer squashCucumbersRadishes
Quick-maturing varieties only. Bush beans in 50 days are a reliable choice this late in the season.
May 31–June 1
BeansSummer squashCucumbersRadishes
June
June 7–8
BeansRadishesSummer squash
Stick to fast-maturing varieties β€” 50-day bush beans, slicing cucumbers, compact squash.
June 14–15
Beans β€” last roundRadishesCucumbers (for fall)
June 21–22
KaleSwiss chardTurnipsArugulaRadishes
Shift begins toward fall crops. Kale sown now matures in September and sweetens noticeably after the first hard frost.
June 28–29
KaleArugulaSpinachTurnipsRadishes
Full shift to fall direct sow. These crops prefer to mature in cool fall weather β€” sown now, they'll be ready in October.
Hardiness Zone
7a
Coastal Westport/Norwalk may be warmer (7b)
Last Spring Frost
~Apr 15–20
Coastal proximity can shift this earlier by a week
First Fall Frost
~Oct 15–20
Some years extend into early November along the Sound
Growing Season
~180 days
Mid-April through mid-October

Is this calendar right for your location?

This calendar is calibrated for Westport and coastal Fairfield County β€” not all of USDA Zone 7a. That zone covers a wide swath of the country: coastal Connecticut shares it with central Virginia, western North Carolina, Memphis, and pockets of the Pacific Northwest. Frost dates vary by weeks across that range.

If you're in coastal southern Connecticut, the North Shore of Long Island, or lower Westchester County, this calendar should translate well. Elsewhere in Zone 7a, adjust based on your local last frost date.

Minimum soil temperatures for direct sowing

Soil tempWhat to sow
35–45Β°FPeas, spinach, mache, arugula, lettuce, kale, larkspur, poppies, sweet peas
45–55Β°FBeets, carrots, radishes, Swiss chard, bachelor's buttons, calendula, nigella, alyssum
60–65Β°FBeans, summer squash, cucumbers, corn, cosmos, sunflowers, marigolds, zinnias, nasturtiums
70Β°F+Basil, okra, portulaca, moonflower, celosia, gomphrena

Microclimate notes for Westport

Properties close to Long Island Sound often run a few degrees warmer than inland Westport, shortening frost risk in spring and extending the season in fall. A north-facing slope, low-lying area, or spot surrounded by pavement can hold cold air and bring frost risk back regardless of zone.

The average last frost date is a 50% probability, not a guarantee. For frost-sensitive seeds β€” basil, zinnias, beans β€” wait until you've had a stretch of nights consistently above 45Β°F before sowing.

What this calendar doesn't cover

Starting seeds indoors (typically 6–10 weeks before last frost for tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and many flowers), transplanting schedules, and fall succession crops beyond June are not included here.