Growing Calendar

MenuClose

HomeAboutSearch

When to plant zinnias in zone 7b

In zone 7b, where the last spring frost typically comes around April 5, start zinnias indoors May 4 to 11 and plant out June 1 to 15.

The zone 7b schedule for zinnias

Start seeds indoors
May 4 to 11
Plant out
June 1 to 15
Sow outdoors
June 1 to 15
Soil warm enough (70°F), about
June 1

From the median frost dates of the NOAA stations assigned to the 3,025 ZIP codes in zone 7b, and the timing recommended by Cooperative Extension guides for zinnias.

Frost risk in zone 7b

Zones are based on winter cold, not on frost dates, so the last spring frost varies a lot within a zone. Across zone 7b, the typical last frost ranges from about March 30 in the earliest tenth of ZIP codes to April 17 in the latest tenth, and the first fall frost from October 24 to November 18. For a typical place in the zone:

  • March 20Risky: a later frost happens in 9 years out of 10
  • April 5Typical: frost after this date in half of years
  • April 21Safe: 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 7b cities

CityTypical last frostStart indoorsPlant out
New York, NYMar 30May 12 to 19Jun 9 to 23
Philadelphia, PAMar 30May 2 to 9May 30 to Jun 13
Nashville-Davidson, TNMar 31Apr 21 to 28May 19 to Jun 2
Oklahoma City, OKApr 4Apr 24 to May 1May 22 to Jun 5
Albuquerque, NMApr 6Apr 29 to May 6May 27 to Jun 10
Tulsa, OKMar 31Apr 20 to 27May 18 to Jun 1
Newark, NJApr 2May 11 to 18Jun 8 to 22
Jersey City, NJApr 2May 11 to 18Jun 8 to 22
Reno, NVApr 20May 22 to 29Jun 19 to Jul 3
Lubbock, TXApr 4Apr 17 to 24May 15 to 29
Richmond, VAApr 3May 1 to 8May 29 to Jun 12
Salt Lake City, UTApr 8May 15 to 22Jun 12 to 26

How to grow zinniasAll zonesZinnias in zone 7aZinnias in zone 8aAbout zone 7b

Sources