Zone 6 Vegetable Planting Calendar

Plan spring and fall gardens with schedules built for Zone 6A and 6B. See when to start seeds indoors, direct sow, and transplant each crop.

View Planting Schedule

Average annual extreme minimum

−10–0°F

APR–MAY

Typical last spring frostMany Zone 6 locations finish frost season in mid-April through early May.

OCT

Typical first fall frostLocal elevation and microclimates can shift this date by several weeks.

Zone 6A & 6BSelect your subzone for more useful timing

About 160–190 DaysA common frost-free range, with significant local variation

Spring & Fall CropsUse indoor starts and timely second-season planting

Plan around your subzone

Choose Zone 6A or Zone 6B

USDA 6A and 6B describe winter cold hardiness—not exact frost dates. This guide keeps 6B only one week earlier in spring and one week later in fall than 6A. Confirm final timing with your ZIP-code frost dates, soil temperature, and forecast.

Zone 6A Planting Schedule

Start indoorsDirect sowTransplant/plant

Swipe horizontally to see later months.

Planning guidance only. Frost dates—not the hardiness-zone letter alone—should anchor planting. Wait for at least 60°F soil before direct sowing beans, cucumbers, melons, squash, corn, and other warm-season crops.

Spring in Zone 6

Start long-season crops indoors, then follow soil temperature.

Start onions, celery, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, and brassicas indoors. Direct sow hardy roots and greens first; wait until frost danger passes and soil warms before planting beans, corn, cucumbers, squash, melons, and okra.

Fall in Zone 6

Begin the second season during summer.

Start fall broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, and collards indoors in early to midsummer. Direct sow roots and greens later, allowing extra time as autumn days shorten.