Visual resource
Late Planting Penalty Chart
Some crops forgive a late start. Others punish it fast. This chart shows which vegetables lose the most growing margin when planting slips by two weeks.
Updated 2026-05-23 · 24 crops compared.
Main chart
Highest two-week planting penalties
Top crops by average GDD margin lost when planting is delayed by two weeks.
Broccoli
cool-season · High late-start pressure
159 GDD margin lost
Carrots
cool-season · High late-start pressure
159 GDD margin lost
Cauliflower
cool-season · High late-start pressure
159 GDD margin lost
Kale
cool-season · High late-start pressure
159 GDD margin lost
Swiss Chard
cool-season · High late-start pressure
159 GDD margin lost
Beets
cool-season · Moderate late-start pressure
125 GDD margin lost
Strawberries
cool-season · Moderate late-start pressure
125 GDD margin lost
Basil
warm-season · Some late-start pressure
95 GDD margin lost
Melons
warm-season · Moderate late-start pressure
95 GDD margin lost
Peppers
warm-season · Moderate late-start pressure
95 GDD margin lost
Some crops show the same penalty because this chart measures the seasonal heat margin lost over the same two-week calendar delay. The useful signal is the timing-pressure group, not tiny differences between tied crops.
Margin comparison
Selected examples: on-time margin vs two-weeks-late margin
This view shows whether representative crops still have cushion after a delay.
Broccoli
High penalty · Broccoli are noticeably punished by late planting, especially in shorter or cooler locations.
On time
2619 GDD
2 weeks late
2460 GDD
Carrots
High penalty · Carrots are noticeably punished by late planting, especially in shorter or cooler locations.
On time
2769 GDD
2 weeks late
2610 GDD
Cauliflower
High penalty · Cauliflower are noticeably punished by late planting, especially in shorter or cooler locations.
On time
2519 GDD
2 weeks late
2360 GDD
Beets
Moderate penalty · Beets are noticeably punished by late planting, especially in shorter or cooler locations.
On time
2922 GDD
2 weeks late
2798 GDD
Strawberries
Moderate penalty · Strawberries are noticeably punished by late planting, especially in shorter or cooler locations.
On time
2972 GDD
2 weeks late
2848 GDD
Basil
Moderate penalty · Basil can cross from workable to tight when delayed in some published locations.
On time
1208 GDD
2 weeks late
1113 GDD
Cabbage
More forgiving · Cabbage still lose margin when delayed, but the typical two-week penalty is less severe than the highest-pressure crops.
On time
2610 GDD
2 weeks late
2519 GDD
Lettuce
More forgiving · Lettuce still lose margin when delayed, but the typical two-week penalty is less severe than the highest-pressure crops.
On time
3110 GDD
2 weeks late
3019 GDD
Spinach
More forgiving · Spinach still lose margin when delayed, but the typical two-week penalty is less severe than the highest-pressure crops.
On time
3160 GDD
2 weeks late
3069 GDD
What to prioritize if you are already late
High penalty
Prioritize first
These crops lose margin quickly. Use transplants, faster varieties, warm sites, or protection when the calendar slips.
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Kale
- Swiss Chard
Moderate penalty
Plant soon
These crops can still be practical, but delays reduce cushion and make variety speed more important.
- Beets
- Strawberries
- Basil
- Melons
- Peppers
- Pumpkin
- Watermelons
- Winter Squash
More forgiving
Better backup options
These are usually better candidates when you need flexible timing or a recovery plan.
- Cabbage
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Beans
- Cucumbers
- Sweet Corn
- Tomatoes
- Zucchini
- Peas
- Onions
- Potatoes
What this means in the garden
A two-week delay is not equal across crops. Long-season crops and crops with narrow heat margins are easier to push into frost risk. If planting slips, the usual fixes are faster varieties, stronger transplants, warmer microclimates, season extension, or switching to crops with more timing flexibility.
Use this resource
You may reference this chart with attribution to GrowByDate.
Methodology and limits
This chart compares average on-time crop margin with average margin after a two-week planting delay. It highlights timing pressure, not guaranteed success or failure. Weather, soil warmth, transplant quality, variety speed, irrigation, protection, and local microclimates can change real outcomes.