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When to plant zinnias in zone 7a

In zone 7a, where the last spring frost typically comes around April 16, start zinnias indoors May 13 to 20 and plant out June 10 to 24.

The zone 7a schedule for zinnias

Start seeds indoors
May 13 to 20
Plant out
June 10 to 24
Sow outdoors
June 10 to 24
Soil warm enough (70°F), about
June 10

From the median frost dates of the NOAA stations assigned to the 3,981 ZIP codes in zone 7a, and the timing recommended by Cooperative Extension guides for zinnias.

Frost risk in zone 7a

Zones are based on winter cold, not on frost dates, so the last spring frost varies a lot within a zone. Across zone 7a, the typical last frost ranges from about April 5 in the earliest tenth of ZIP codes to April 29 in the latest tenth, and the first fall frost from October 15 to November 2. For a typical place in the zone:

  • April 1Risky: a later frost happens in 9 years out of 10
  • April 16Typical: frost after this date in half of years
  • May 3Safe: a later frost only 1 year in 10

Zinnias are killed by frost, so if you want to be safe, plant out after the safe date rather than the typical one, or be ready to cover plants on a cold night.

Your dates for zinnias

Set your ZIP code at the top of the page and we will work out when to plant zinnias where you live, from the frost records of the nearest NOAA weather station. Your ZIP code is remembered on this device only.

Enter your ZIP code

Zinnias in zone 7a cities

CityTypical last frostStart indoorsPlant out
Louisville/Jefferson County, KYMar 31Apr 25 to May 2May 23 to Jun 6
Wichita, KSApr 11Apr 27 to May 4May 25 to Jun 8
Lexington-Fayette urban county, KYApr 13May 5 to 12Jun 2 to 16
St. Louis, MOApr 8Apr 29 to May 6May 27 to Jun 10
Amarillo, TXApr 13Apr 27 to May 4May 25 to Jun 8
Providence, RIApr 11May 24 to 31Jun 21 to Jul 5
Paterson, NJApr 3May 10 to 17Jun 7 to 21
Bridgeport, CTApr 5May 20 to 27Jun 17 to Jul 1
Meridian, IDApr 24May 27 to Jun 3Jun 24 to Jul 8
Stamford, CTApr 12May 23 to 30Jun 20 to Jul 4
New Haven, CTApr 5May 20 to 27Jun 17 to Jul 1
Allentown, PAApr 20May 15 to 22Jun 12 to 26

How to grow zinniasAll zonesZinnias in zone 6bZinnias in zone 7bAbout zone 7a

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