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Growing Long Island Improved in Zone 5a

Brassica oleracea

✓ Well Suited for Zone 5a

Score: 99/100

🌡️ USDA Hardiness Zone 5a

Moderate Continental

USDA 2023 Verified

Growing Season

130-160 days

Winter Minimum

-20°F to -15°F

(-28.9°C to -26.1°C)

Last Spring Frost

May 10

50% probability

First Fall Frost

September 27

50% probability

AHS Heat Zone 3-6

8 to 14 heat days per year • Low heat stress

Typical regions: Central Midwest, Southern New England, Pacific Northwest mountains, Anchorage AK

📊 Data Source:

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 • Frost dates from NOAA station USW00026451 • Last verified: 1/22/2026

✓ Zone Compatibility Analysis

high confidence

Excellent match: 105 days to maturity with 55 days buffer in 160-day season.

Recommendation: Direct sowing and transplanting both viable. Excellent fit for this zone.

💾 Suitability computed by Solara Agricultural Intelligence Platform

📅 Zone 5a Planting Calendar for Long Island Improved

Based on NOAA climate normals for Zone 5a. Dates show 50% probability (average year).

🌱 Start Seeds Indoors

March 12

✓ Database-computed optimal date

🪴 Transplant Outdoors

April 30

✓ Database-computed optimal date

🌾 Direct Sow (Alternative)

2 weeks after May 10

For warm-season crops

🥕 Expected Harvest

August 13

Complete before September 27

💡 Zone 5a Growing Tips

• Growing season: 130-160 frost-free days
• Excellent match for this zone - both direct sowing and transplanting work well
• Monitor soil temperature before transplanting (minimum 55-60°F for most crops)

⚠️ Zone 5a Challenges

⚠️Cold winters

⚠️Variable spring

⚠️Summer heat waves possible

✅ Best Plants for Zone 5a

✓Most vegetables

✓Fruit trees

✓Roses

✓Wide variety of perennials

❄️ Winter in Zone 5a

Cold winters with lows reaching -15°F to -20°F.

☀️ Summer in Zone 5a

Warm to hot summers with good growing conditions.

🔥 Heat Management for AHS Zone 3-6

This zone experiences 8 to 14 heat days per year with low heat stress.

🌡️Light mulching

🌡️Adequate watering during heat spells

Source: American Horticultural Society

📊 Long Island Improved Quick Facts

Days to Maturity

90-120

Difficulty

intermediate

Season

summer

Type

📍 View Long Island Improved Guide for 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 13b

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