What to Grow in Zone 4 — Productive Annuals & Hardy Perennials for Food Security

Dear Homesteaders,

With the last frost behind us (finally!), it's time to fill our beds, containers, and backyards with productive plants that feed your family and fuel your pantry. If you’re growing in USDA Zone 4, you’ve got a few extra precious weeks of growing time compared to your Zone 3 neighbors—which means more options and bigger harvests.

Here’s your go-to list of food-producing annuals and perennials that thrive in Zone 4’s cool nights, warm days, and short but powerful summer season.

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🥬 Best Food-Producing Annuals for Zone 4

Annuals are the seasonal workhorses of a productive homestead. With the last frost typically in mid to late May, and the first one around late September, aim for varieties that mature in 60–90 days or less.

1. Cool-Weather Greens

• Lettuce, spinach, kale, mustard greens, and Swiss chard love early spring and fall.

• Direct sow in April and again in August for a second harvest.

2. Root Crops

• Carrots, beets, radishes, parsnips, and turnips perform well in cooler soils.

• Some (like parsnips) get even sweeter after a frost.

3. Peas & Beans

• Snap peas and shelling peas grow fast and tolerate spring chill.

• Bush and pole beans can be planted once soil warms in June.

4. Tomatoes, Peppers & Eggplant

• Start indoors 6–8 weeks before planting out in early June.

• Use early-ripening varieties like ‘Glacier’ tomato or ‘King of the North’ pepper.

5. Summer Squash & Cucumbers

• Zucchini, pattypan, and cucumbers thrive in warm soil and produce prolifically.

• Start indoors or sow directly after the soil hits 60°F.

6. Corn & Melons (Yes, Really!)

• Use short-season corn (like ‘Early Sunglow’) and mini melons (like ‘Minnesota Midget’).

• Choose a sunny, sheltered spot for warmth.

7. Culinary Herbs

• Fast growers like basil, dill, cilantro, and parsley are ideal for pots and beds.

• Start basil indoors; it hates cold nights.

🌞 Tip: Use raised beds, black mulch, or cold frames to warm soil earlier and stretch your season.

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🌿 Top Cold-Hardy Perennial Food Plants for Zone 4

Perennials make your life easier—plant once, harvest for years. Zone 4 winters are still