Brought to you by garden.gg Zone 6 Planting Calendar
USDA zone 6 has cold winters with average annual minimums of -10 to 0 F and a moderate growing season of roughly 5.5-6 months between hard frosts. It supports a full warm-season garden in summer plus generous shoulder-season cool crops in spring and fall.
Zone 6 runs from southern New England through the Mid-Atlantic interior, the Ohio Valley, and the Mid-South uplands to the interior Pacific Northwest, with winter lows of -10 to 0°F. Its 173 days are long enough for melons and sweet potatoes, and cold enough that fruit trees get proper winter chill. The season's best move is a late-July sowing of brassicas for a fall garden that outperforms the spring one.
States & regions in Zone 6: Southern New England (CT, RI, coastal MA), Mid-Atlantic interior (PA, NJ, MD, northern VA), Ohio Valley (OH, IN, KY), Lower Midwest (southern MO, southern IL), Mid-South uplands (TN, northern AR, NC mountains), Interior Pacific Northwest (parts of WA, OR, ID), High desert/mountain valleys (parts of NM, CO, UT, NV)
Four seasons, maximum variety.
Zone 6 is a gardener's playground. Long enough for melons and sweet potatoes, cool enough for gorgeous brassicas in fall. You can grow spring, summer, AND fall crops with careful scheduling. The key is knowing when to transition.
Pro tip: Plant a fall garden in late July. Kale, spinach, and carrots actually taste better after a light frost sweetens them up.
Save a planting for your zone 6 garden — free
What to Plant in Zone 6 This Fall (September–November)
The average first fall frost in zone 6 is Oct 15. To find the last safe planting date for any fall crop, count back from that date by its days to maturity plus a 14-day fall factor — growth slows as days shorten and soil cools. Applied to zone 6's frost date, that gives these plant-by dates:
Plant by Jul 23
70 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Jul 23
70 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Aug 2
60 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Aug 17
45 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Zone 6a and 6b: these dates are zone 6 averages. In zone 6a, first frost tends to arrive about a week earlier, so plant about a week before the dates above; in zone 6b you get roughly a week of extra time. Half-zone pages shift every date for you: zone 6a fall dates and zone 6b fall dates.
Fall crops on this zone 6 calendar include Lettuce, Spinach, Arugula, Mustard Greens, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Bok Choy / Pak Choi, Napa Cabbage, Kale, Swiss Chard, Collards, Broccoli, and 18 more. Each crop's sowing and transplant window is in the fall planting section below.
For month-by-month detail, see what to plant in October across every zone, what to plant in September, and the fall vegetable planting guide by zone.
What to Plant by Season in Zone 6
The right crops and methods for each season, based on zone 6's climate and frost timing.
What to Plant in Spring
Spring in zone 6 is the busy window for cool-season sowing and indoor starts of warm crops. Direct-sow frost-tolerant greens and roots as soon as soil is workable in March, and start tender transplants indoors 6-8 weeks before the late-April last frost.
Mid Mar - Apr
Sow as soon as soil can be worked; tolerates light frost.
Mid Mar - Apr
Trellis pole types; harvest before summer heat.
Mid Mar - Apr
Hardy to ~15 F; sow early for cool maturation.
Mid Mar - Apr
Bolts in heat; sow successively until late April.
Late Mar - May
Succession-sow every 2 weeks; can also transplant.
Late Mar - Apr
Fast and cold-hardy; sow every 2 weeks.
Late Mar - Apr
Late Mar - Apr
Late Mar - Apr
Late Mar - Apr
Watch for bolting if a late cold snap follows warmth.
Early Apr - early May
Start indoors in March; very frost-tolerant.
Mid Apr - May
Heat-tolerant; produces spring through fall.
Early Apr - early May
Early Apr - early May
Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost; harden off.
Early Apr - early May
Early Apr - early May
Late Mar - Apr
Late Mar - Apr
Late Mar - Apr
Late Mar - May
Keep soil surface moist for germination.
Late Mar - Apr
Mid Mar - Apr
Ready in 3-4 weeks; succession sow.
Late Mar - Apr
Apr - early May
Slow to germinate; sow fresh seed.
Early Apr - early May
Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Late Mar - Apr
Plant sets or transplants; choose long-day varieties.
Late Mar - Apr
Apr - early May
Start indoors in late winter.
Late Mar - Apr
Apr - early May
Plant crowns; do not harvest first 1-2 years.
Apr - early May
Plant divisions/crowns; perennial.
Apr - early May
Plant bare-root crowns in early spring.
Late Mar - Apr
Bolts in heat; sow in cool weather.
Apr - May
Apr - May
Slow germinator; soak seed to speed up.
Apr - May
Mid Mar - Apr
Cold-hardy annual; sow early for cool blooming.
Apr - early May
Frost-tolerant; start indoors in winter.
Apr - May
What to Plant in Summer
Summer is zone 6's prime warm-season window: transplant tender crops after the late-April last frost once soil warms, and direct-sow heat lovers in May-June. The long, hot summer ripens tomatoes, peppers, melons, and corn before the mid-October frost.
Mid May - early Jun
Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; set out after frost danger passes.
Mid May - early Jun
Needs warm soil (60 F+); transplant after nights stay mild.
Mid May - early Jun
Heat-loving; use black mulch or row cover early.
Mid May - early Jun
Plant at least two for pollination.
Mid May - early Jun
Mid May - Jun
Direct-sow after soil warms; succession sow.
Mid May - Jun
Mid May - Jun
Mid May - early Jun
Needs full season to mature; sow early.
Late May - early Jun
Sow by early June to ripen for October.
Late May - early Jun
Late May - Jun
Warm soil essential; use black plastic mulch.
Late May - Jun
Start indoors for a head start in zone 6's shorter season.
Late May - Jun
Wait for warm soil; soak seed before sowing.
Mid May - Jun
Plant in blocks for pollination; succession sow.
Mid May - Jul
Succession sow every 2-3 weeks through midsummer.
Mid May - Jun
Trellis; produces over a long window.
Late May - Jun
Needs warm soil and a long season.
Mid May - Jun
Mid May - early Jun
At z6 lower limit; choose short-season varieties and sandy soil.
Late May - Jun
Heat- and drought-tolerant.
Mid May - Jun
Ornamental flowers; prefers cooler summers.
Late May - Jun
At z6 lower limit; plant slips after soil warms, use plastic mulch.
Late May - Jun
Very frost-sensitive; wait for warm nights.
Mid May - Jun
Late May - Jun
Heat-loving green for summer harvest.
Late May - Jun
Heat-tolerant spinach substitute; soak seed.
Mid May - Jun
Mid May - Jun
Edible flowers; tolerates poor soil.
Mid May - Jun
Good companion for tomatoes.
Mid May - Jun
Mid May - Jun
May - Jun
Bee magnet; self-seeds readily.
What to Plant in Fall
Fall offers a second cool-season harvest as heat fades; sow quick maturing greens and roots in late summer for autumn picking, and plant garlic for next year. Frost-tolerant crops sweeten after light frosts ahead of the mid-October first frost.
Aug - early Sep
Sow in late summer for fall harvest; protect from heat at sowing.
Aug - Sep
Cool fall weather prevents bolting; can overwinter under cover.
Aug - Sep
Aug - Sep
Aug - Sep
Aug - Sep
Aug - early Sep
Late Jul - Aug
Start in summer; heads up in cool fall.
Late Jul - Aug
Flavor sweetens after frost; very hardy.
Jul - Aug
Late Jul - Aug
Withstands hard frost; sweetens in cold.
Mid Jul - Aug
Set out summer transplants for a fall crop.
Mid Jul - Aug
Mid Jul - Aug
Jun - early Jul
Long season; start early for fall/winter harvest after frost.
Aug
Aug - early Sep
Jul - early Aug
Fall carrots sweeten in cold; mulch to hold in ground.
Jul - Aug
Aug - Sep
Fast fall crop; succession sow.
Late Jul - Aug
Needs 50-60 days; sow by mid-August.
Aug
Jul
Needs ~90 days; sow in midsummer for fall harvest.
Aug - Sep
Extremely cold-hardy; can overwinter.
Aug - Sep
Cold-hardy salad green for fall/winter cover.
Jul - Aug
Jul - Aug
Heads firm up and color in cool fall.
Aug - Sep
Thrives in cool fall weather without bolting.
Oct - early Nov
Plant cloves 4-6 weeks before ground freezes; mulch heavily.
Oct - early Nov
Fall-planted shallots overwinter under mulch.
What to Plant in Winter
Winter in zone 6 is too cold for new outdoor planting, so the season is for indoor seed-starting, planning, and season extension. Garlic sits mulched in the ground, overwintered greens hold under cold frames or low tunnels, and indoor sowing of slow crops begins in late winter.
Late Jan - Feb
Start long-day onions from seed indoors 10-12 weeks before transplant.
Late Jan - Feb
Slow to mature; start under lights in late winter.
Feb
Long, slow germination; start indoors early.
Feb
Late Feb - Mar
Start 8-10 weeks before the late-April last frost.
Late Feb - Mar
Needs warmth and a long head start indoors.
Late Feb - Mar
Start 6-8 weeks before last frost; pot up before transplanting.
Feb
Start indoors early and vernalize to fruit as an annual in z6.
Save a planting from your zone 6 calendar
Choose a crop and a date that suits your local conditions. Create a free account or sign in, then review and save your planting plan. Your saved plan is available on web, iOS, and Android.
Zone calendars are starting points, not local forecasts. Check local frost dates, soil temperature, and the crop's planting instructions before choosing a date. This does not change your profile's zone.
Full Planting Timing Table
Start-indoors, direct-sow, transplant, and harvest windows for every crop in zone 6.
Vegetables
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amaranth (Leaf) | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Heat-loving green for summer harvest. |
| Arugula | — | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | Fast and cold-hardy; sow every 2 weeks. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Apr - early May | — | Plant crowns; do not harvest first 1-2 years. |
| Beet | — | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | — |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | — | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | Watch for bolting if a late cold snap follows warmth. |
| Broccoli | — | — | Mid Jul - Aug | — | Set out summer transplants for a fall crop. |
| Broccoli Raab (Rapini) | — | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | — |
| Brussels Sprouts | — | — | Jun - early Jul | — | Long season; start early for fall/winter harvest after frost. |
| Bush Bean | — | Mid May - Jul | — | — | Succession sow every 2-3 weeks through midsummer. |
| Cabbage | — | — | Mid Jul - Aug | — | — |
| Carrot | — | Late Mar - May | — | — | Fall carrots sweeten in cold; mulch to hold in ground. |
| Cauliflower | — | — | Mid Jul - Aug | — | — |
| Celeriac | Feb | — | — | — | — |
| Celery | Feb | — | — | — | Long, slow germination; start indoors early. |
| Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) | — | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | — |
| Claytonia (Miner's Lettuce) | — | Aug - Sep | — | — | Cold-hardy salad green for fall/winter cover. |
| Collards | — | — | Late Jul - Aug | — | Withstands hard frost; sweetens in cold. |
| Corn (Sweet) | — | Mid May - Jun | — | — | Plant in blocks for pollination; succession sow. |
| Cowpea / Southern Pea | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Heat- and drought-tolerant. |
| Cucumber | — | Mid May - Jun | — | — | Direct-sow after soil warms; succession sow. |
| Daikon Radish | — | Late Jul - Aug | — | — | Needs 50-60 days; sow by mid-August. |
| Edamame (Soybean) | — | Mid May - Jun | — | — | — |
| Eggplant | Late Feb - Mar | — | Mid May - early Jun | — | Heat-loving; use black mulch or row cover early. |
| Endive / Escarole | — | Jul - Aug | — | — | — |
| Fava Bean | — | Mid Mar - Apr | — | — | Hardy to ~15 F; sow early for cool maturation. |
| Garden Pea | — | Mid Mar - Apr | — | — | Sow as soon as soil can be worked; tolerates light frost. |
| Garlic | — | — | Oct - early Nov | — | Plant cloves 4-6 weeks before ground freezes; mulch heavily. |
| Globe Artichoke | Feb | — | — | — | Start indoors early and vernalize to fruit as an annual in z6. |
| Husk-less / Pie Pumpkin | — | Late May - early Jun | — | — | — |
| Kale | — | — | Late Jul - Aug | Dec - Feb | Flavor sweetens after frost; very hardy. |
| Kohlrabi | — | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | — |
| Leek | Late Jan - Feb | — | Apr - early May | — | Slow to mature; start under lights in late winter. |
| Lettuce | — | Late Mar - May | — | — | Sow in late summer for fall harvest; protect from heat at sowing. |
| Lima Bean | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Needs warm soil and a long season. |
| Mizuna | — | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | — |
| Mustard Greens | — | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | — |
| Napa Cabbage | — | — | Late Jul - Aug | — | Start in summer; heads up in cool fall. |
| New Zealand Spinach | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Heat-tolerant spinach substitute; soak seed. |
| Okra | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Wait for warm soil; soak seed before sowing. |
| Onion (Bulb) | Late Jan - Feb | — | Late Mar - Apr | — | Start long-day onions from seed indoors 10-12 weeks before transplant. |
| Pac/Corn Salad (Mâche) | — | Aug - Sep | — | Dec - Feb | Extremely cold-hardy; can overwinter. |
| Parsnip | — | Apr - early May | — | — | Slow to germinate; sow fresh seed. |
| Peanut | — | Mid May - early Jun | — | — | At z6 lower limit; choose short-season varieties and sandy soil. |
| Pepper (Bell & Hot) | Late Feb - Mar | — | Mid May - early Jun | — | Needs warm soil (60 F+); transplant after nights stay mild. |
| Pole Bean | — | Mid May - Jun | — | — | Trellis; produces over a long window. |
| Pole/Runner Bean (Scarlet) | — | Mid May - Jun | — | — | Ornamental flowers; prefers cooler summers. |
| Potato | — | — | Early Apr - early May | — | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Pumpkin | — | Late May - early Jun | — | — | Sow by early June to ripen for October. |
| Radicchio | — | — | Jul - Aug | — | Heads firm up and color in cool fall. |
| Radish | — | Mid Mar - Apr | — | — | Fast fall crop; succession sow. |
| Rhubarb | — | — | Apr - early May | — | Plant divisions/crowns; perennial. |
| Rutabaga | — | Jul | — | — | Needs ~90 days; sow in midsummer for fall harvest. |
| Scallion / Green Onion | — | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | — |
| Shallot | — | — | Oct - early Nov | — | Fall-planted shallots overwinter under mulch. |
| Snap / Snow Pea | — | Mid Mar - Apr | — | — | Trellis pole types; harvest before summer heat. |
| Spinach | — | Mid Mar - Apr | — | Dec - Feb | Cool fall weather prevents bolting; can overwinter under cover. |
| Summer Squash | — | Mid May - Jun | — | — | — |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | Late May - Jun | — | At z6 lower limit; plant slips after soil warms, use plastic mulch. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Mid Apr - May | — | — | Heat-tolerant; produces spring through fall. |
| Tatsoi | — | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | — |
| Tomatillo | — | — | Mid May - early Jun | — | Plant at least two for pollination. |
| Tomato | Late Feb - Mar | — | Mid May - early Jun | — | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; set out after frost danger passes. |
| Turnip | — | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | — |
| Winter Squash | — | Mid May - early Jun | — | — | Needs full season to mature; sow early. |
| Zucchini | — | Mid May - Jun | — | — | — |
Herbs
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | — | — | Late May - Jun | — | Very frost-sensitive; wait for warm nights. |
| Chives | — | Apr - May | — | — | — |
| Cilantro / Coriander | — | Late Mar - Apr | — | — | Thrives in cool fall weather without bolting. |
| Dill | — | Apr - May | — | — | — |
| Parsley | — | Apr - May | — | — | Slow germinator; soak seed to speed up. |
| Summer Savory | — | Mid May - Jun | — | — | — |
Fruits
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Cherry | — | — | Mid May - early Jun | — | — |
| Muskmelon / Cantaloupe | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Warm soil essential; use black plastic mulch. |
| Strawberry | — | — | Apr - early May | — | Plant bare-root crowns in early spring. |
| Watermelon | — | — | Late May - Jun | — | Start indoors for a head start in zone 6's shorter season. |
Flowers
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borage | — | May - Jun | — | — | Bee magnet; self-seeds readily. |
| Calendula | — | Apr - May | — | — | — |
| Cosmos | — | Mid May - Jun | — | — | — |
| Marigold | — | — | Mid May - Jun | — | Good companion for tomatoes. |
| Nasturtium | — | Mid May - Jun | — | — | Edible flowers; tolerates poor soil. |
| Snapdragon | — | — | Apr - early May | — | Frost-tolerant; start indoors in winter. |
| Sunflower | — | Mid May - Jun | — | — | — |
| Sweet Pea | — | Mid Mar - Apr | — | — | Cold-hardy annual; sow early for cool blooming. |
| Zinnia | — | Mid May - Jun | — | — | — |
Zone 6a vs Zone 6b
USDA divides every hardiness zone into two half-zones based on average annual minimum temperature: zone 6a is the cooler half and zone 6b the warmer, 5°F apart. Seed packets and nursery tags usually quote the full zone, but the half-zone is what decides your edge cases — the borderline perennial that survives in 6b and dies in 6a, or the extra week of fall growing 6b buys you.
The dates on this page are zone 6 averages. If you're in zone 6a, treat your last spring frost as about a week later and your first fall frost as about a week earlier than the dates above. In zone 6b, you get roughly a week of grace on each end. Your own microclimate — slope, shelter, pavement, elevation — can swing dates as much as the half-zone does, which is why tracking your garden's actual frost dates beats any table within a season or two.
Want the dates already shifted? See the zone 6a planting schedule and the zone 6b planting guide.
Zone 6 Growing Tips
- ✓ Count back from the late-April last frost: start tomatoes/peppers/eggplant indoors in late February to mid-March (6-8 weeks) and harden off before transplanting after April 25.
- ✓ Use season-extension gear (row cover, cold frames, low tunnels, black plastic mulch) to push spring planting earlier and stretch fall harvests past the mid-October first frost.
- ✓ Plant garlic and overwintering shallots in October, 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes, then mulch heavily with straw for reliable summer bulbs.
- ✓ For heat-demanding crops at zone 6's edge (sweet potato, peanut, watermelon, okra), choose short-season varieties and warm the soil with plastic mulch or transplant rather than direct-sow.
- ✓ Run two cool-season pushes: a spring sowing of greens, peas, and roots in March-April, and a fall crop started in late July-August that sweetens after the first frosts.
- ✓ Succession-sow fast crops (lettuce, radish, bush beans, arugula) every 2-3 weeks rather than all at once to spread harvests across the 170-day season.
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Sign Up FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What can I plant in spring in zone 6?
In zone 6, spring planting includes Garden Pea, Snap / Snow Pea, Fava Bean, Spinach, Lettuce, Arugula, Mustard Greens, Mizuna, and more. See the spring section above for each crop's timing.
What is the last frost date for zone 6?
The average last spring frost date for USDA zone 6 is Apr 25. The first fall frost typically arrives around Oct 15, giving a growing season of approximately 173 days.
When is the first frost in zone 6?
The average first fall frost in USDA zone 6 arrives around Oct 15. That is an average, not a guarantee — the actual first frost varies by up to 2 weeks either way, so watch your local forecast from a few weeks before that date and have row covers ready for tender crops still in the ground.
When can I start seeds indoors in zone 6?
In zone 6, start crops like Onion (Bulb) indoors around Late Jan - Feb. Check the seasonal sections above for each crop's indoor-sowing window.
What can I plant in fall in zone 6?
Fall planting in zone 6 includes Lettuce, Spinach, Arugula, Mustard Greens, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Bok Choy / Pak Choi, Napa Cabbage, and more.
How long is the growing season in zone 6?
Zone 6 has an average growing season of 173 days, from the last spring frost around Apr 25 to the first fall frost around Oct 15.
What is the difference between zone 6a and zone 6b?
USDA splits every zone into two half-zones 5°F apart: zone 6a is the cooler half and zone 6b the warmer. The planting dates on this page are zone 6 averages — if you're in 6a, shift spring plantings about a week later and fall plantings about a week earlier; in 6b, shift about a week the other way.
What to plant right now
Month-specific guides for zone 6, hand-tuned to current frost dates and crop windows.
- What to Plant in October: Garlic Month, Cover Crops, and the Southern Fall Garden — What to plant in October: garlic goes in across zones 3-7, cover crops hit their deadline, and zones 8-10 plant the best garden of their year.
Learn more: When to plant vegetables by zone