Cold North

What Can Grow in Zone 4b

Cold northern climate with ~120 day growing season. Most vegetables and many fruits grow successfully here.

Zone 4b has average winter lows of -25°F to -20°F (-32°C to -29°C). You can grow broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and many more plants. The frost-free growing season lasts about 120 days.

-25°FWinter Low
-20°FWinter High
120 daysFrost-Free
April 30Last Frost
August 30First Frost
🥕 Vegetables
broccoli cauliflower cabbage beets carrots beans peas squash
🍎 Fruits
apples pears strawberries raspberries blueberries sour cherries
🌿 Herbs
dill parsley mint thyme oregano sage cilantro
🌸 Flowers
marigolds zinnias coneflowers black-eyed Susans daylilies hostas
🌳 Trees & Shrubs
sugar maple red oak green ash bur oak serviceberry hawthorn
💡 Planting Tips

Extend season with cold frames in spring and fall. Side-dress heavy feeders with compost. Succession plant lettuce every 2-3 weeks.

🌱
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📍 States in Zone 4b
MinnesotaWisconsinMichiganWyomingMaineVermontNew Hampshire
🔀 Neighboring Zones
4a5a

Frequently Asked Questions

USDA Zone 4b has average annual minimum temperatures of -25°F to -20°F (-32°C to -29°C). This temperature range determines which perennial plants can survive winter outdoors.

The average last frost date in Zone 4b is around April 30, and the first fall frost typically arrives around August 30. This gives a frost-free growing season of approximately 120 days.

Zone 4b is well-suited for broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, beets, carrots, beans. Extend season with cold frames in spring and fall. Side-dress heavy feeders with compost. Succession plant lettuce every 2-3 weeks.

Fruits that thrive in Zone 4b include apples, pears, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, sour cherries. Always check that specific cultivars are hardy to your zone before planting perennial fruit trees and shrubs.