Zone 6a planting calendar
USDA zone 6a has average winter lows of -10°F to -5°F. Across 5,263 ZIP codes in this zone, the typical last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 17.
Zone dates are an average — get your own
Zone 6a vegetable planting calendar
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Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to May 6Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Transplant outside: May 13 to Jun 3
Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Nov 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant in zone 6a
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 1 – May 6 | Aug 22 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Okra | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – Jun 3 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Basil | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 25 – May 6 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 3 – Nov 7 |