Brought to you by garden.gg Zone 6b 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 6b is the warmer half of USDA zone 6, where the average coldest winter night bottoms out at −5 to 0°F. Compared with the zone 6 averages, the last spring frost in zone 6b comes about a week earlier (Apr 18) and the first fall frost about a week later (Oct 22), for a growing season of about 187 days. Every planting window on this page is shifted to match: spring sowing and transplant dates move a week earlier, fall plantings a week later. 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 6b garden — free
What to Plant in Zone 6b This Fall (September–November)
The average first fall frost in zone 6b is Oct 22. 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 6b's frost date, that gives these plant-by dates:
Plant by Jul 30
70 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Jul 30
70 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Aug 9
60 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Aug 24
45 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Zone 6a and 6b: these dates count back from zone 6b's first frost, which is about a week later than the zone 6 average of Oct 15. Zone 6a gardeners have about two weeks less fall time — see the zone 6a fall dates.
Fall crops on this zone 6b 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 6b
The right crops and methods for each season, based on zone 6b'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 4 - Apr 23
Sow as soon as soil can be worked; tolerates light frost.
Mar 4 - Apr 23
Trellis pole types; harvest before summer heat.
Mar 4 - Apr 23
Hardy to ~15 F; sow early for cool maturation.
Mar 4 - Apr 23
Bolts in heat; sow successively until late April.
Mar 14 - May 24
Succession-sow every 2 weeks; can also transplant.
Mar 14 - Apr 23
Fast and cold-hardy; sow every 2 weeks.
Mar 14 - Apr 23
Mar 14 - Apr 23
Mar 14 - Apr 23
Mar 14 - Apr 23
Watch for bolting if a late cold snap follows warmth.
Mar 25 - May 3
Start indoors in March; very frost-tolerant.
Apr 4 - May 24
Heat-tolerant; produces spring through fall.
Mar 25 - May 3
Mar 25 - May 3
Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost; harden off.
Mar 25 - May 3
Mar 25 - May 3
Mar 14 - Apr 23
Mar 14 - Apr 23
Mar 14 - Apr 23
Mar 14 - May 24
Keep soil surface moist for germination.
Mar 14 - Apr 23
Mar 4 - Apr 23
Ready in 3-4 weeks; succession sow.
Mar 14 - Apr 23
Mar 25 - May 3
Slow to germinate; sow fresh seed.
Mar 25 - May 3
Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Mar 14 - Apr 23
Plant sets or transplants; choose long-day varieties.
Mar 14 - Apr 23
Mar 25 - May 3
Start indoors in late winter.
Mar 14 - Apr 23
Mar 25 - May 3
Plant crowns; do not harvest first 1-2 years.
Mar 25 - May 3
Plant divisions/crowns; perennial.
Mar 25 - May 3
Plant bare-root crowns in early spring.
Mar 14 - Apr 23
Bolts in heat; sow in cool weather.
Mar 25 - May 24
Mar 25 - May 24
Slow germinator; soak seed to speed up.
Mar 25 - May 24
Mar 4 - Apr 23
Cold-hardy annual; sow early for cool blooming.
Mar 25 - May 3
Frost-tolerant; start indoors in winter.
Mar 25 - May 24
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 4 - Jun 3
Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; set out after frost danger passes.
May 4 - Jun 3
Needs warm soil (60 F+); transplant after nights stay mild.
May 4 - Jun 3
Heat-loving; use black mulch or row cover early.
May 4 - Jun 3
Plant at least two for pollination.
May 4 - Jun 3
May 4 - Jun 23
Direct-sow after soil warms; succession sow.
May 4 - Jun 23
May 4 - Jun 23
May 4 - Jun 3
Needs full season to mature; sow early.
May 14 - Jun 3
Sow by early June to ripen for October.
May 14 - Jun 3
May 14 - Jun 23
Warm soil essential; use black plastic mulch.
May 14 - Jun 23
Start indoors for a head start in zone 6's shorter season.
May 14 - Jun 23
Wait for warm soil; soak seed before sowing.
May 4 - Jun 23
Plant in blocks for pollination; succession sow.
May 4 - Jul 24
Succession sow every 2-3 weeks through midsummer.
May 4 - Jun 23
Trellis; produces over a long window.
May 14 - Jun 23
Needs warm soil and a long season.
May 4 - Jun 23
May 4 - Jun 3
At z6 lower limit; choose short-season varieties and sandy soil.
May 14 - Jun 23
Heat- and drought-tolerant.
May 4 - Jun 23
Ornamental flowers; prefers cooler summers.
May 14 - Jun 23
At z6 lower limit; plant slips after soil warms, use plastic mulch.
May 14 - Jun 23
Very frost-sensitive; wait for warm nights.
May 4 - Jun 23
May 14 - Jun 23
Heat-loving green for summer harvest.
May 14 - Jun 23
Heat-tolerant spinach substitute; soak seed.
May 4 - Jun 23
May 4 - Jun 23
Edible flowers; tolerates poor soil.
May 4 - Jun 23
Good companion for tomatoes.
May 4 - Jun 23
May 4 - Jun 23
Apr 24 - Jun 23
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 8 - Sep 17
Sow in late summer for fall harvest; protect from heat at sowing.
Aug 8 - Oct 7
Cool fall weather prevents bolting; can overwinter under cover.
Aug 8 - Oct 7
Aug 8 - Oct 7
Aug 8 - Oct 7
Aug 8 - Oct 7
Aug 8 - Sep 17
Jul 28 - Sep 7
Start in summer; heads up in cool fall.
Jul 28 - Sep 7
Flavor sweetens after frost; very hardy.
Jun 24 - Aug 24
Jul 28 - Sep 7
Withstands hard frost; sweetens in cold.
Jul 4 - Aug 24
Set out summer transplants for a fall crop.
Jul 4 - Aug 24
Jul 4 - Aug 24
May 25 - Jul 3
Long season; start early for fall/winter harvest after frost.
Aug 8 - Sep 7
Aug 8 - Sep 17
Jun 24 - Aug 3
Fall carrots sweeten in cold; mulch to hold in ground.
Jun 24 - Aug 24
Aug 8 - Oct 7
Fast fall crop; succession sow.
Jul 28 - Sep 7
Needs 50-60 days; sow by mid-August.
Aug 8 - Sep 7
Jun 24 - Jul 24
Needs ~90 days; sow in midsummer for fall harvest.
Aug 8 - Oct 7
Extremely cold-hardy; can overwinter.
Aug 8 - Oct 7
Cold-hardy salad green for fall/winter cover.
Jun 24 - Aug 24
Jun 24 - Aug 24
Heads firm up and color in cool fall.
Aug 8 - Oct 7
Thrives in cool fall weather without bolting.
Oct 8 - Nov 17
Plant cloves 4-6 weeks before ground freezes; mulch heavily.
Oct 8 - Nov 17
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 14 - Feb 21
Start long-day onions from seed indoors 10-12 weeks before transplant.
Jan 14 - Feb 21
Slow to mature; start under lights in late winter.
Jan 25 - Feb 21
Long, slow germination; start indoors early.
Jan 25 - Feb 21
Feb 14 - Mar 24
Start 8-10 weeks before the late-April last frost.
Feb 14 - Mar 24
Needs warmth and a long head start indoors.
Feb 14 - Mar 24
Start 6-8 weeks before last frost; pot up before transplanting.
Jan 25 - Feb 21
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 6b.
Vegetables
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amaranth (Leaf) | — | May 14 - Jun 23 | — | — | Heat-loving green for summer harvest. |
| Arugula | — | Mar 14 - Apr 23 | — | — | Fast and cold-hardy; sow every 2 weeks. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Mar 25 - May 3 | — | Plant crowns; do not harvest first 1-2 years. |
| Beet | — | Mar 14 - Apr 23 | — | — | — |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | — | Mar 14 - Apr 23 | — | — | Watch for bolting if a late cold snap follows warmth. |
| Broccoli | — | — | Jul 4 - Aug 24 | — | Set out summer transplants for a fall crop. |
| Broccoli Raab (Rapini) | — | Mar 14 - Apr 23 | — | — | — |
| Brussels Sprouts | — | — | May 25 - Jul 3 | — | Long season; start early for fall/winter harvest after frost. |
| Bush Bean | — | May 4 - Jul 24 | — | — | Succession sow every 2-3 weeks through midsummer. |
| Cabbage | — | — | Jul 4 - Aug 24 | — | — |
| Carrot | — | Mar 14 - May 24 | — | — | Fall carrots sweeten in cold; mulch to hold in ground. |
| Cauliflower | — | — | Jul 4 - Aug 24 | — | — |
| Celeriac | Jan 25 - Feb 21 | — | — | — | — |
| Celery | Jan 25 - Feb 21 | — | — | — | Long, slow germination; start indoors early. |
| Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) | — | Mar 14 - Apr 23 | — | — | — |
| Claytonia (Miner's Lettuce) | — | Aug 8 - Oct 7 | — | — | Cold-hardy salad green for fall/winter cover. |
| Collards | — | — | Jul 28 - Sep 7 | — | Withstands hard frost; sweetens in cold. |
| Corn (Sweet) | — | May 4 - Jun 23 | — | — | Plant in blocks for pollination; succession sow. |
| Cowpea / Southern Pea | — | May 14 - Jun 23 | — | — | Heat- and drought-tolerant. |
| Cucumber | — | May 4 - Jun 23 | — | — | Direct-sow after soil warms; succession sow. |
| Daikon Radish | — | Jul 28 - Sep 7 | — | — | Needs 50-60 days; sow by mid-August. |
| Edamame (Soybean) | — | May 4 - Jun 23 | — | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 14 - Mar 24 | — | May 4 - Jun 3 | — | Heat-loving; use black mulch or row cover early. |
| Endive / Escarole | — | Jun 24 - Aug 24 | — | — | — |
| Fava Bean | — | Mar 4 - Apr 23 | — | — | Hardy to ~15 F; sow early for cool maturation. |
| Garden Pea | — | Mar 4 - Apr 23 | — | — | Sow as soon as soil can be worked; tolerates light frost. |
| Garlic | — | — | Oct 8 - Nov 17 | — | Plant cloves 4-6 weeks before ground freezes; mulch heavily. |
| Globe Artichoke | Jan 25 - Feb 21 | — | — | — | Start indoors early and vernalize to fruit as an annual in z6. |
| Husk-less / Pie Pumpkin | — | May 14 - Jun 3 | — | — | — |
| Kale | — | — | Jul 28 - Sep 7 | Dec 8 - Mar 7 | Flavor sweetens after frost; very hardy. |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 14 - Apr 23 | — | — | — |
| Leek | Jan 14 - Feb 21 | — | Mar 25 - May 3 | — | Slow to mature; start under lights in late winter. |
| Lettuce | — | Mar 14 - May 24 | — | — | Sow in late summer for fall harvest; protect from heat at sowing. |
| Lima Bean | — | May 14 - Jun 23 | — | — | Needs warm soil and a long season. |
| Mizuna | — | Mar 14 - Apr 23 | — | — | — |
| Mustard Greens | — | Mar 14 - Apr 23 | — | — | — |
| Napa Cabbage | — | — | Jul 28 - Sep 7 | — | Start in summer; heads up in cool fall. |
| New Zealand Spinach | — | May 14 - Jun 23 | — | — | Heat-tolerant spinach substitute; soak seed. |
| Okra | — | May 14 - Jun 23 | — | — | Wait for warm soil; soak seed before sowing. |
| Onion (Bulb) | Jan 14 - Feb 21 | — | Mar 14 - Apr 23 | — | Start long-day onions from seed indoors 10-12 weeks before transplant. |
| Pac/Corn Salad (Mâche) | — | Aug 8 - Oct 7 | — | Dec 8 - Mar 7 | Extremely cold-hardy; can overwinter. |
| Parsnip | — | Mar 25 - May 3 | — | — | Slow to germinate; sow fresh seed. |
| Peanut | — | May 4 - Jun 3 | — | — | At z6 lower limit; choose short-season varieties and sandy soil. |
| Pepper (Bell & Hot) | Feb 14 - Mar 24 | — | May 4 - Jun 3 | — | Needs warm soil (60 F+); transplant after nights stay mild. |
| Pole Bean | — | May 4 - Jun 23 | — | — | Trellis; produces over a long window. |
| Pole/Runner Bean (Scarlet) | — | May 4 - Jun 23 | — | — | Ornamental flowers; prefers cooler summers. |
| Potato | — | — | Mar 25 - May 3 | — | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Pumpkin | — | May 14 - Jun 3 | — | — | Sow by early June to ripen for October. |
| Radicchio | — | — | Jun 24 - Aug 24 | — | Heads firm up and color in cool fall. |
| Radish | — | Mar 4 - Apr 23 | — | — | Fast fall crop; succession sow. |
| Rhubarb | — | — | Mar 25 - May 3 | — | Plant divisions/crowns; perennial. |
| Rutabaga | — | Jun 24 - Jul 24 | — | — | Needs ~90 days; sow in midsummer for fall harvest. |
| Scallion / Green Onion | — | Mar 14 - Apr 23 | — | — | — |
| Shallot | — | — | Oct 8 - Nov 17 | — | Fall-planted shallots overwinter under mulch. |
| Snap / Snow Pea | — | Mar 4 - Apr 23 | — | — | Trellis pole types; harvest before summer heat. |
| Spinach | — | Mar 4 - Apr 23 | — | Dec 8 - Mar 7 | Cool fall weather prevents bolting; can overwinter under cover. |
| Summer Squash | — | May 4 - Jun 23 | — | — | — |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | May 14 - Jun 23 | — | At z6 lower limit; plant slips after soil warms, use plastic mulch. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Apr 4 - May 24 | — | — | Heat-tolerant; produces spring through fall. |
| Tatsoi | — | Mar 14 - Apr 23 | — | — | — |
| Tomatillo | — | — | May 4 - Jun 3 | — | Plant at least two for pollination. |
| Tomato | Feb 14 - Mar 24 | — | May 4 - Jun 3 | — | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; set out after frost danger passes. |
| Turnip | — | Mar 14 - Apr 23 | — | — | — |
| Winter Squash | — | May 4 - Jun 3 | — | — | Needs full season to mature; sow early. |
| Zucchini | — | May 4 - Jun 23 | — | — | — |
Herbs
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | — | — | May 14 - Jun 23 | — | Very frost-sensitive; wait for warm nights. |
| Chives | — | Mar 25 - May 24 | — | — | — |
| Cilantro / Coriander | — | Mar 14 - Apr 23 | — | — | Thrives in cool fall weather without bolting. |
| Dill | — | Mar 25 - May 24 | — | — | — |
| Parsley | — | Mar 25 - May 24 | — | — | Slow germinator; soak seed to speed up. |
| Summer Savory | — | May 4 - Jun 23 | — | — | — |
Fruits
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Cherry | — | — | May 4 - Jun 3 | — | — |
| Muskmelon / Cantaloupe | — | May 14 - Jun 23 | — | — | Warm soil essential; use black plastic mulch. |
| Strawberry | — | — | Mar 25 - May 3 | — | Plant bare-root crowns in early spring. |
| Watermelon | — | — | May 14 - Jun 23 | — | Start indoors for a head start in zone 6's shorter season. |
Flowers
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borage | — | Apr 24 - Jun 23 | — | — | Bee magnet; self-seeds readily. |
| Calendula | — | Mar 25 - May 24 | — | — | — |
| Cosmos | — | May 4 - Jun 23 | — | — | — |
| Marigold | — | — | May 4 - Jun 23 | — | Good companion for tomatoes. |
| Nasturtium | — | May 4 - Jun 23 | — | — | Edible flowers; tolerates poor soil. |
| Snapdragon | — | — | Mar 25 - May 3 | — | Frost-tolerant; start indoors in winter. |
| Sunflower | — | May 4 - Jun 23 | — | — | — |
| Sweet Pea | — | Mar 4 - Apr 23 | — | — | Cold-hardy annual; sow early for cool blooming. |
| Zinnia | — | May 4 - Jun 23 | — | — | — |
Zone 6a vs Zone 6b
USDA divides zone 6 into two half-zones 5°F apart. Zone 6b is the warmer one; here is how its frost dates compare with zone 6a 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 6b 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 6b?
In zone 6b, 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 6b?
The average last spring frost date for USDA zone 6b is Apr 18. The first fall frost typically arrives around Oct 22, giving a growing season of approximately 187 days.
When is the first frost in zone 6b?
The average first fall frost in USDA zone 6b arrives around Oct 22. 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 6b?
In zone 6b, start crops like Onion (Bulb) indoors around Jan 14 - Feb 21. Check the seasonal sections above for each crop's indoor-sowing window.
What can I plant in fall in zone 6b?
Fall planting in zone 6b includes Lettuce, Spinach, Arugula, Mustard Greens, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Bok Choy / Pak Choi, Napa Cabbage, and more.
How long is the growing season in zone 6b?
Zone 6b has an average growing season of 187 days, from the last spring frost around Apr 18 to the first fall frost around Oct 22.
What is the difference between zone 6a and zone 6b?
Zone 6b is the warmer half of USDA zone 6, with average coldest winter nights of −5 to 0°F. Compared with the zone 6 averages (last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 15), zone 6b's last spring frost is about a week earlier (Apr 18) and its first fall frost about a week later (Oct 22), so zone 6a gardeners plant about two weeks later in spring and earlier in fall than zone 6b.
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