Brought to you by garden.gg Zone 6a Planting Calendar & Schedule
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 6a is the cooler half of USDA zone 6, where the average coldest winter night bottoms out at −10 to −5°F. Compared with the zone 6 averages, the last spring frost in zone 6a comes about a week later (May 2) and the first fall frost about a week earlier (Oct 8), for a growing season of about 159 days. Every planting window on this page is shifted to match: spring sowing and transplant dates move a week later, fall plantings a week earlier. Crop notes still quote zone 6 timing.
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 6a garden — free
What to Plant in Zone 6a This Fall (September–November)
The average first fall frost in zone 6a is Oct 8. 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 6a's frost date, that gives these plant-by dates:
Plant by Jul 16
70 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Jul 16
70 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Jul 26
60 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Aug 10
45 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Zone 6a and 6b: these dates count back from zone 6a's first frost, which is about a week earlier than the zone 6 average of Oct 15. Zone 6b gardeners have about two weeks more fall time — see the zone 6b fall dates.
Fall crops on this zone 6a 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 6a
The right crops and methods for each season, based on zone 6a'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.
Mar 18 - May 7
Sow as soon as soil can be worked; tolerates light frost.
Mar 18 - May 7
Trellis pole types; harvest before summer heat.
Mar 18 - May 7
Hardy to ~15 F; sow early for cool maturation.
Mar 18 - May 7
Bolts in heat; sow successively until late April.
Mar 28 - Jun 7
Succession-sow every 2 weeks; can also transplant.
Mar 28 - May 7
Fast and cold-hardy; sow every 2 weeks.
Mar 28 - May 7
Mar 28 - May 7
Mar 28 - May 7
Mar 28 - May 7
Watch for bolting if a late cold snap follows warmth.
Apr 8 - May 17
Start indoors in March; very frost-tolerant.
Apr 18 - Jun 7
Heat-tolerant; produces spring through fall.
Apr 8 - May 17
Apr 8 - May 17
Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost; harden off.
Apr 8 - May 17
Apr 8 - May 17
Mar 28 - May 7
Mar 28 - May 7
Mar 28 - May 7
Mar 28 - Jun 7
Keep soil surface moist for germination.
Mar 28 - May 7
Mar 18 - May 7
Ready in 3-4 weeks; succession sow.
Mar 28 - May 7
Apr 8 - May 17
Slow to germinate; sow fresh seed.
Apr 8 - May 17
Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Mar 28 - May 7
Plant sets or transplants; choose long-day varieties.
Mar 28 - May 7
Apr 8 - May 17
Start indoors in late winter.
Mar 28 - May 7
Apr 8 - May 17
Plant crowns; do not harvest first 1-2 years.
Apr 8 - May 17
Plant divisions/crowns; perennial.
Apr 8 - May 17
Plant bare-root crowns in early spring.
Mar 28 - May 7
Bolts in heat; sow in cool weather.
Apr 8 - Jun 7
Apr 8 - Jun 7
Slow germinator; soak seed to speed up.
Apr 8 - Jun 7
Mar 18 - May 7
Cold-hardy annual; sow early for cool blooming.
Apr 8 - May 17
Frost-tolerant; start indoors in winter.
Apr 8 - Jun 7
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.
May 18 - Jun 17
Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; set out after frost danger passes.
May 18 - Jun 17
Needs warm soil (60 F+); transplant after nights stay mild.
May 18 - Jun 17
Heat-loving; use black mulch or row cover early.
May 18 - Jun 17
Plant at least two for pollination.
May 18 - Jun 17
May 18 - Jul 7
Direct-sow after soil warms; succession sow.
May 18 - Jul 7
May 18 - Jul 7
May 18 - Jun 17
Needs full season to mature; sow early.
May 28 - Jun 17
Sow by early June to ripen for October.
May 28 - Jun 17
May 28 - Jul 7
Warm soil essential; use black plastic mulch.
May 28 - Jul 7
Start indoors for a head start in zone 6's shorter season.
May 28 - Jul 7
Wait for warm soil; soak seed before sowing.
May 18 - Jul 7
Plant in blocks for pollination; succession sow.
May 18 - Aug 7
Succession sow every 2-3 weeks through midsummer.
May 18 - Jul 7
Trellis; produces over a long window.
May 28 - Jul 7
Needs warm soil and a long season.
May 18 - Jul 7
May 18 - Jun 17
At z6 lower limit; choose short-season varieties and sandy soil.
May 28 - Jul 7
Heat- and drought-tolerant.
May 18 - Jul 7
Ornamental flowers; prefers cooler summers.
May 28 - Jul 7
At z6 lower limit; plant slips after soil warms, use plastic mulch.
May 28 - Jul 7
Very frost-sensitive; wait for warm nights.
May 18 - Jul 7
May 28 - Jul 7
Heat-loving green for summer harvest.
May 28 - Jul 7
Heat-tolerant spinach substitute; soak seed.
May 18 - Jul 7
May 18 - Jul 7
Edible flowers; tolerates poor soil.
May 18 - Jul 7
Good companion for tomatoes.
May 18 - Jul 7
May 18 - Jul 7
May 8 - Jul 7
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.
Jul 25 - Sep 3
Sow in late summer for fall harvest; protect from heat at sowing.
Jul 25 - Sep 23
Cool fall weather prevents bolting; can overwinter under cover.
Jul 25 - Sep 23
Jul 25 - Sep 23
Jul 25 - Sep 23
Jul 25 - Sep 23
Jul 25 - Sep 3
Jul 14 - Aug 24
Start in summer; heads up in cool fall.
Jul 14 - Aug 24
Flavor sweetens after frost; very hardy.
Jul 8 - Sep 7
Jul 14 - Aug 24
Withstands hard frost; sweetens in cold.
Jul 18 - Sep 7
Set out summer transplants for a fall crop.
Jul 18 - Sep 7
Jul 18 - Sep 7
Jun 8 - Jul 17
Long season; start early for fall/winter harvest after frost.
Jul 25 - Aug 24
Jul 25 - Sep 3
Jul 8 - Aug 17
Fall carrots sweeten in cold; mulch to hold in ground.
Jul 8 - Sep 7
Jul 25 - Sep 23
Fast fall crop; succession sow.
Jul 14 - Aug 24
Needs 50-60 days; sow by mid-August.
Jul 25 - Aug 24
Jul 8 - Aug 7
Needs ~90 days; sow in midsummer for fall harvest.
Jul 25 - Sep 23
Extremely cold-hardy; can overwinter.
Jul 25 - Sep 23
Cold-hardy salad green for fall/winter cover.
Jul 8 - Sep 7
Jul 8 - Sep 7
Heads firm up and color in cool fall.
Jul 25 - Sep 23
Thrives in cool fall weather without bolting.
Sep 24 - Nov 3
Plant cloves 4-6 weeks before ground freezes; mulch heavily.
Sep 24 - Nov 3
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.
Jan 28 - Mar 7
Start long-day onions from seed indoors 10-12 weeks before transplant.
Jan 28 - Mar 7
Slow to mature; start under lights in late winter.
Feb 8 - Mar 7
Long, slow germination; start indoors early.
Feb 8 - Mar 7
Feb 28 - Apr 7
Start 8-10 weeks before the late-April last frost.
Feb 28 - Apr 7
Needs warmth and a long head start indoors.
Feb 28 - Apr 7
Start 6-8 weeks before last frost; pot up before transplanting.
Feb 8 - Mar 7
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 6a.
Vegetables
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amaranth (Leaf) | — | May 28 - Jul 7 | — | — | Heat-loving green for summer harvest. |
| Arugula | — | Mar 28 - May 7 | — | — | Fast and cold-hardy; sow every 2 weeks. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Apr 8 - May 17 | — | Plant crowns; do not harvest first 1-2 years. |
| Beet | — | Mar 28 - May 7 | — | — | — |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | — | Mar 28 - May 7 | — | — | Watch for bolting if a late cold snap follows warmth. |
| Broccoli | — | — | Jul 18 - Sep 7 | — | Set out summer transplants for a fall crop. |
| Broccoli Raab (Rapini) | — | Mar 28 - May 7 | — | — | — |
| Brussels Sprouts | — | — | Jun 8 - Jul 17 | — | Long season; start early for fall/winter harvest after frost. |
| Bush Bean | — | May 18 - Aug 7 | — | — | Succession sow every 2-3 weeks through midsummer. |
| Cabbage | — | — | Jul 18 - Sep 7 | — | — |
| Carrot | — | Mar 28 - Jun 7 | — | — | Fall carrots sweeten in cold; mulch to hold in ground. |
| Cauliflower | — | — | Jul 18 - Sep 7 | — | — |
| Celeriac | Feb 8 - Mar 7 | — | — | — | — |
| Celery | Feb 8 - Mar 7 | — | — | — | Long, slow germination; start indoors early. |
| Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) | — | Mar 28 - May 7 | — | — | — |
| Claytonia (Miner's Lettuce) | — | Jul 25 - Sep 23 | — | — | Cold-hardy salad green for fall/winter cover. |
| Collards | — | — | Jul 14 - Aug 24 | — | Withstands hard frost; sweetens in cold. |
| Corn (Sweet) | — | May 18 - Jul 7 | — | — | Plant in blocks for pollination; succession sow. |
| Cowpea / Southern Pea | — | May 28 - Jul 7 | — | — | Heat- and drought-tolerant. |
| Cucumber | — | May 18 - Jul 7 | — | — | Direct-sow after soil warms; succession sow. |
| Daikon Radish | — | Jul 14 - Aug 24 | — | — | Needs 50-60 days; sow by mid-August. |
| Edamame (Soybean) | — | May 18 - Jul 7 | — | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 28 - Apr 7 | — | May 18 - Jun 17 | — | Heat-loving; use black mulch or row cover early. |
| Endive / Escarole | — | Jul 8 - Sep 7 | — | — | — |
| Fava Bean | — | Mar 18 - May 7 | — | — | Hardy to ~15 F; sow early for cool maturation. |
| Garden Pea | — | Mar 18 - May 7 | — | — | Sow as soon as soil can be worked; tolerates light frost. |
| Garlic | — | — | Sep 24 - Nov 3 | — | Plant cloves 4-6 weeks before ground freezes; mulch heavily. |
| Globe Artichoke | Feb 8 - Mar 7 | — | — | — | Start indoors early and vernalize to fruit as an annual in z6. |
| Husk-less / Pie Pumpkin | — | May 28 - Jun 17 | — | — | — |
| Kale | — | — | Jul 14 - Aug 24 | Nov 24 - Feb 21 | Flavor sweetens after frost; very hardy. |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 28 - May 7 | — | — | — |
| Leek | Jan 28 - Mar 7 | — | Apr 8 - May 17 | — | Slow to mature; start under lights in late winter. |
| Lettuce | — | Mar 28 - Jun 7 | — | — | Sow in late summer for fall harvest; protect from heat at sowing. |
| Lima Bean | — | May 28 - Jul 7 | — | — | Needs warm soil and a long season. |
| Mizuna | — | Mar 28 - May 7 | — | — | — |
| Mustard Greens | — | Mar 28 - May 7 | — | — | — |
| Napa Cabbage | — | — | Jul 14 - Aug 24 | — | Start in summer; heads up in cool fall. |
| New Zealand Spinach | — | May 28 - Jul 7 | — | — | Heat-tolerant spinach substitute; soak seed. |
| Okra | — | May 28 - Jul 7 | — | — | Wait for warm soil; soak seed before sowing. |
| Onion (Bulb) | Jan 28 - Mar 7 | — | Mar 28 - May 7 | — | Start long-day onions from seed indoors 10-12 weeks before transplant. |
| Pac/Corn Salad (Mâche) | — | Jul 25 - Sep 23 | — | Nov 24 - Feb 21 | Extremely cold-hardy; can overwinter. |
| Parsnip | — | Apr 8 - May 17 | — | — | Slow to germinate; sow fresh seed. |
| Peanut | — | May 18 - Jun 17 | — | — | At z6 lower limit; choose short-season varieties and sandy soil. |
| Pepper (Bell & Hot) | Feb 28 - Apr 7 | — | May 18 - Jun 17 | — | Needs warm soil (60 F+); transplant after nights stay mild. |
| Pole Bean | — | May 18 - Jul 7 | — | — | Trellis; produces over a long window. |
| Pole/Runner Bean (Scarlet) | — | May 18 - Jul 7 | — | — | Ornamental flowers; prefers cooler summers. |
| Potato | — | — | Apr 8 - May 17 | — | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Pumpkin | — | May 28 - Jun 17 | — | — | Sow by early June to ripen for October. |
| Radicchio | — | — | Jul 8 - Sep 7 | — | Heads firm up and color in cool fall. |
| Radish | — | Mar 18 - May 7 | — | — | Fast fall crop; succession sow. |
| Rhubarb | — | — | Apr 8 - May 17 | — | Plant divisions/crowns; perennial. |
| Rutabaga | — | Jul 8 - Aug 7 | — | — | Needs ~90 days; sow in midsummer for fall harvest. |
| Scallion / Green Onion | — | Mar 28 - May 7 | — | — | — |
| Shallot | — | — | Sep 24 - Nov 3 | — | Fall-planted shallots overwinter under mulch. |
| Snap / Snow Pea | — | Mar 18 - May 7 | — | — | Trellis pole types; harvest before summer heat. |
| Spinach | — | Mar 18 - May 7 | — | Nov 24 - Feb 21 | Cool fall weather prevents bolting; can overwinter under cover. |
| Summer Squash | — | May 18 - Jul 7 | — | — | — |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | May 28 - Jul 7 | — | At z6 lower limit; plant slips after soil warms, use plastic mulch. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Apr 18 - Jun 7 | — | — | Heat-tolerant; produces spring through fall. |
| Tatsoi | — | Mar 28 - May 7 | — | — | — |
| Tomatillo | — | — | May 18 - Jun 17 | — | Plant at least two for pollination. |
| Tomato | Feb 28 - Apr 7 | — | May 18 - Jun 17 | — | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; set out after frost danger passes. |
| Turnip | — | Mar 28 - May 7 | — | — | — |
| Winter Squash | — | May 18 - Jun 17 | — | — | Needs full season to mature; sow early. |
| Zucchini | — | May 18 - Jul 7 | — | — | — |
Herbs
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | — | — | May 28 - Jul 7 | — | Very frost-sensitive; wait for warm nights. |
| Chives | — | Apr 8 - Jun 7 | — | — | — |
| Cilantro / Coriander | — | Mar 28 - May 7 | — | — | Thrives in cool fall weather without bolting. |
| Dill | — | Apr 8 - Jun 7 | — | — | — |
| Parsley | — | Apr 8 - Jun 7 | — | — | Slow germinator; soak seed to speed up. |
| Summer Savory | — | May 18 - Jul 7 | — | — | — |
Fruits
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Cherry | — | — | May 18 - Jun 17 | — | — |
| Muskmelon / Cantaloupe | — | May 28 - Jul 7 | — | — | Warm soil essential; use black plastic mulch. |
| Strawberry | — | — | Apr 8 - May 17 | — | Plant bare-root crowns in early spring. |
| Watermelon | — | — | May 28 - Jul 7 | — | Start indoors for a head start in zone 6's shorter season. |
Flowers
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borage | — | May 8 - Jul 7 | — | — | Bee magnet; self-seeds readily. |
| Calendula | — | Apr 8 - Jun 7 | — | — | — |
| Cosmos | — | May 18 - Jul 7 | — | — | — |
| Marigold | — | — | May 18 - Jul 7 | — | Good companion for tomatoes. |
| Nasturtium | — | May 18 - Jul 7 | — | — | Edible flowers; tolerates poor soil. |
| Snapdragon | — | — | Apr 8 - May 17 | — | Frost-tolerant; start indoors in winter. |
| Sunflower | — | May 18 - Jul 7 | — | — | — |
| Sweet Pea | — | Mar 18 - May 7 | — | — | Cold-hardy annual; sow early for cool blooming. |
| Zinnia | — | May 18 - Jul 7 | — | — | — |
Zone 6a vs Zone 6b
USDA divides zone 6 into two half-zones 5°F apart. Zone 6a is the cooler one; here is how its frost dates compare with zone 6b and the zone 6 average.
| Zone 6a | Zone 6 | Zone 6b | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter low | −10 to −5°F | −10 to 0°F | −5 to 0°F |
| Last spring frost | May 2 | Apr 25 | Apr 18 |
| First fall frost | Oct 8 | Oct 15 | Oct 22 |
| Growing season | 159 days | 173 days | 187 days |
Not sure which half you're in? The half-zone comes from your area's average coldest winter night, so check the USDA map for your ZIP code. Your own microclimate — slope, shelter, pavement, elevation — can move dates as much as the half-zone does.
Zone 6a 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 6a?
In zone 6a, 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 6a?
The average last spring frost date for USDA zone 6a is May 2. The first fall frost typically arrives around Oct 8, giving a growing season of approximately 159 days.
When is the first frost in zone 6a?
The average first fall frost in USDA zone 6a arrives around Oct 8. 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 6a?
In zone 6a, start crops like Onion (Bulb) indoors around Jan 28 - Mar 7. Check the seasonal sections above for each crop's indoor-sowing window.
What can I plant in fall in zone 6a?
Fall planting in zone 6a includes Lettuce, Spinach, Arugula, Mustard Greens, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Bok Choy / Pak Choi, Napa Cabbage, and more.
How long is the growing season in zone 6a?
Zone 6a has an average growing season of 159 days, from the last spring frost around May 2 to the first fall frost around Oct 8.
What is the difference between zone 6a and zone 6b?
Zone 6a is the cooler half of USDA zone 6, with average coldest winter nights of −10 to −5°F. Compared with the zone 6 averages (last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 15), zone 6a's last spring frost is about a week later (May 2) and its first fall frost about a week earlier (Oct 8), so zone 6b gardeners plant about two weeks earlier in spring and later in fall than zone 6a.
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