Zone 6a planting calendar

In USDA hardiness zone 6a, the average last spring frost is around April 18 and the average first fall frost around October 17: a growing season of about 182 days. Here is when to start seeds, plant, and harvest 157 vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers.

Zones measure winter cold, not frost dates, so these are regional averages. Frost-tender crops wait until about May 2, when a late frost is unlikely.

Get exact dates for your ZIP code

Vegetables

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Amaranth (greens)—May 2 – May 16Jun 16 – Aug 25—
ArtichokeJan 31Apr 11 – Apr 25Jul 30 – Sep 24—
Arugula—Mar 21 – Apr 4Apr 25 – May 30Aug 29 – Sep 12
Asparagus—Mar 21 – Apr 4Apr 4 – May 30 (once established)—
Beet—Mar 28 – Apr 11May 22 – Jul 3Aug 16 – Aug 30
Bok choy—Mar 28 – Apr 11May 12 – Jun 9Aug 19 – Sep 2
BroccoliFeb 14Mar 28 – Apr 11May 27 – Jul 1Aug 11 – Aug 25
Broccoli raab (rapini)—Mar 21 – Apr 4May 5 – Jun 2Aug 19 – Sep 2
Brussels sproutsFeb 21Apr 4 – Apr 18Jul 13 – Sep 7—
CabbageFeb 7Mar 21 – Apr 4May 30 – Jul 4Aug 8 – Aug 22
Carrot—Mar 28 – Apr 11Jun 6 – Jul 18Aug 8 – Aug 22
CauliflowerFeb 21Apr 4 – Apr 18Jun 8 – Jul 6Jul 30 – Aug 13
CeleriacFeb 14Apr 25 – May 9Aug 13 – Sep 24—
CeleryFeb 14Apr 25 – May 9Aug 3 – Sep 28—
Cherry tomatoMar 14May 2 – May 16Jul 1 – Oct 7—
Collard greensFeb 7Mar 21 – Apr 4May 20 – Aug 26Sep 1 – Sep 15
CucamelonMar 21May 2 – May 16Jul 11 – Oct 3—
Cucumber—May 2 – May 16Jun 26 – Aug 14—
Daikon radish—Mar 28 – Apr 11May 27 – Jul 1Aug 11 – Aug 25
Dry beans—May 2 – May 16Aug 5 – Sep 9—
Edamame—May 2 – May 16Jul 26 – Aug 23—
EggplantMar 7May 9 – May 23Jul 23 – Oct 1—
Endive / escarole—Apr 4 – Apr 18Jun 28 – Aug 2Jul 17 – Jul 31
Fava beans—Mar 7 – Mar 21May 31 – Jul 5—
Garlic—Oct 10 – Oct 31 (fall)Jun 13 – Jul 4 next year—
Green beans (bush)—May 2 – May 16Jun 26 – Aug 7—
Horseradish—Mar 28 – Apr 11Oct 17 – Nov 28—
Hot pepperFeb 28May 2 – May 16Jul 11 – Oct 3—
KaleFeb 7Mar 21 – Apr 4May 15 – Aug 7Sep 6 – Sep 20
Kohlrabi—Mar 21 – Apr 4May 10 – Jun 7Aug 14 – Aug 28
LeeksJan 24Apr 4 – Apr 18Jul 23 – Oct 1—
Lettuce—Mar 21 – Apr 4May 5 – Jun 16Aug 19 – Sep 2
Lima beans—May 2 – May 16Jul 21 – Sep 1—
Mâche (corn salad)—Mar 7 – Mar 21Apr 26 – Jun 7Sep 25 – Oct 9
Malabar spinachMar 21May 2 – May 16Jul 11 – Oct 3—
Mizuna—Mar 21 – Apr 4Apr 30 – Jun 11Aug 31 – Sep 14
Mustard greens—Mar 21 – Apr 4Apr 30 – Jun 11Aug 31 – Sep 14
Napa cabbageFeb 28Apr 4 – Apr 18Jun 13 – Jul 11Jul 25 – Aug 8
Okra—May 9 – May 23Jul 8 – Sep 30—
Onion (sets)—Mar 14 – Mar 28Jun 22 – Jul 27—
Onion (transplants)Jan 10Mar 21 – Apr 4Jun 29 – Aug 3—
Parsnip—Apr 4 – Apr 18Aug 2 – Sep 27—
Peanuts—May 2 – May 16Aug 30 – Sep 27—
Peas—Mar 7 – Mar 21May 6 – Jun 10Jul 28 – Aug 11
PepperFeb 28May 2 – May 16Jul 16 – Oct 8—
Pole beans—May 2 – May 16Jul 6 – Sep 14—
Popcorn—May 2 – May 16Aug 10 – Sep 7—
Potato—Mar 28 – Apr 11Jun 26 – Jul 31—
Pumpkin—May 2 – May 16Aug 15 – Sep 19—
RadicchioFeb 28Apr 4 – Apr 18Jun 23 – Jul 28Jul 22 – Aug 5
Radish—Mar 14 – Mar 28Apr 8 – May 6Sep 8 – Sep 22
Rhubarb—Mar 21 – Apr 4Apr 18 – Jun 27 (once established)—
Rutabaga—Apr 4 – Apr 18Jul 3 – Aug 14Jul 19 – Aug 2
Scallions—Mar 21 – Apr 4May 20 – Jul 29Aug 11 – Aug 25
Shallots—Mar 21 – Apr 4Jun 29 – Aug 3—
Snap peas—Mar 7 – Mar 21May 11 – Jun 15Jul 23 – Aug 6
Sorrel—Mar 21 – Apr 4May 20 – Oct 21—
Southern peas (cowpeas)—May 9 – May 23Jul 18 – Aug 29—
Spinach—Mar 7 – Mar 21Apr 16 – May 28Sep 7 – Sep 21
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)—Apr 4 – Apr 18Oct 17 – Dec 26—
Sweet corn—May 2 – May 16Jul 16 – Aug 13—
Sweet potatoMar 28May 9 – May 23Aug 17 – Sep 14—
Swiss chard—Apr 4 – Apr 18May 29 – Sep 18Aug 16 – Aug 30
Tatsoi—Mar 21 – Apr 4May 5 – Jun 16Sep 2 – Sep 16
TomatilloMar 14May 2 – May 16Jul 16 – Sep 24—
TomatoMar 14May 2 – May 16Jul 11 – Oct 3—
Turnip—Mar 21 – Apr 4May 10 – Jun 14Aug 21 – Sep 4
Winter squash—May 2 – May 16Aug 5 – Sep 9—
Zucchini / Summer squash—May 2 – May 16Jun 21 – Aug 30—

Fruit

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Apple tree—Mar 28 – Apr 11Aug 8 – Sep 26 (once established)—
Apricot tree—Mar 28 – Apr 11Jul 4 – Jul 25 (once established)—
Blackberry—Mar 28 – Apr 11Jul 4 – Aug 8 (once established)—
Blueberry—Mar 28 – Apr 11Jun 20 – Aug 1 (once established)—
Cantaloupe—May 9 – May 23Jul 28 – Sep 1—
Cherry tree (sweet)—Mar 28 – Apr 11Jun 13 – Jul 4 (once established)—
Currant—Mar 21 – Apr 4Jun 27 – Jul 25 (once established)—
Elderberry—Mar 28 – Apr 11Aug 1 – Sep 5 (once established)—
Fig—Apr 25 – May 9Aug 8 – Oct 3 (once established)—
Gooseberry—Mar 21 – Apr 4Jun 27 – Jul 25 (once established)—
Grape—Mar 28 – Apr 11Aug 22 – Oct 3 (once established)—
Ground cherryMar 14May 2 – May 16Jul 11 – Sep 19—
Honeyberry (haskap)—Mar 21 – Apr 4Jun 6 – Jun 27 (once established)—
Honeydew—May 9 – May 23Aug 12 – Sep 16—
Meyer lemon—May 9 – May 23Sep 19 – Dec 12 (once established)—
Peach tree—Mar 28 – Apr 11Jul 25 – Sep 5 (once established)—
Pear tree—Mar 28 – Apr 11Jul 25 – Sep 12 (once established)—
Plum tree—Mar 28 – Apr 11Jul 25 – Aug 22 (once established)—
Raspberry (fall-bearing)—Mar 28 – Apr 11Sep 5 – Oct 17—
Raspberry (summer)—Mar 28 – Apr 11Jun 20 – Jul 25 (once established)—
Strawberry (everbearing)—Mar 28 – Apr 11Jun 26 – Oct 2—
Strawberry (June-bearing)—Mar 28 – Apr 11May 16 – Jun 13 (once established)—
Watermelon—May 9 – May 23Aug 2 – Sep 6—

Herbs

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
BasilMar 21May 2 – May 16Jun 1 – Sep 7—
Borage—Apr 18 – May 2Jun 12 – Sep 4—
Cannabis auto—May 2 – May 16Jul 21 – Aug 18Jul 1 – Jul 15
Cannabis regularApr 4May 2 – May 16Sep 24 – Oct 17—
CatnipFeb 21Apr 4 – Apr 18Jun 3 – Oct 7—
Chamomile—Apr 4 – Apr 18Jun 3 – Aug 12—
Chervil—Mar 28 – Apr 11May 17 – Jun 28Aug 14 – Aug 28
ChivesJan 31Mar 28 – Apr 11May 27 – Oct 28—
Cilantro—Mar 28 – Apr 11May 12 – Jun 16Aug 19 – Sep 2
Dill—May 2 – May 16Jun 16 – Aug 11—
Fennel (bulb)—Apr 18 – May 2Jul 7 – Aug 11Jul 15 – Jul 29
Garlic chivesFeb 7Apr 4 – Apr 18Jun 23 – Oct 27—
LavenderFeb 14Apr 25 – May 9Jul 24 – Sep 4—
Lemon balmFeb 21Apr 18 – May 2Jun 17 – Oct 21—
Lemongrass—May 2 – May 16Jul 31 – Oct 9—
LovageFeb 7Apr 4 – Apr 18Jun 23 – Oct 27—
MarjoramFeb 28Apr 25 – May 9Jul 4 – Oct 10—
Mint—Apr 11 – Apr 25May 11 – Oct 12—
OreganoFeb 21Apr 18 – May 2Jun 17 – Oct 21—
ParsleyFeb 7Apr 4 – Apr 18Jun 13 – Oct 17—
Rosemary—Apr 25 – May 9Jun 9 – Nov 7—
SageFeb 21Apr 18 – May 2Jul 2 – Nov 5—
SteviaMar 7May 2 – May 16Jul 31 – Oct 9—
Summer savory—May 2 – May 16Jul 1 – Sep 9—
Tarragon (French)—Apr 25 – May 9Jun 24 – Sep 30—
Thai basilMar 21May 2 – May 16Jul 1 – Oct 7—
ThymeFeb 21Apr 18 – May 2Jun 27 – Oct 31—

Flowers

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Bachelor's button—Mar 21 – Apr 4May 25 – Aug 3—
Begonia—May 2 – May 16Jun 16 – Oct 17—
Black-eyed SusanFeb 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Jul 10 – Oct 2—
Calendula—Apr 4 – Apr 18May 24 – Aug 30Aug 14 – Aug 28
ColeusFeb 21May 2 – May 16Jun 21 – Oct 17—
Coneflower (echinacea)—Apr 18 – May 2Jul 17 – Oct 9—
Cosmos—May 2 – May 16Jul 16 – Oct 8—
Daffodil—Sep 19 – Oct 24 (fall)Mar 21 – Apr 18 next year—
Dahlia—May 2 – May 16Aug 10 – Oct 17—
Daylily—Apr 18 – May 2Jun 27 – Aug 22—
Geranium—May 2 – May 16Jun 16 – Oct 17—
Gladiolus—May 2 – May 16Jul 21 – Aug 25—
Hosta—Apr 18 – May 2Jun 27 – Aug 22—
ImpatiensFeb 21May 2 – May 16Jun 21 – Oct 17—
MarigoldMar 21May 2 – May 16Jun 21 – Oct 11—
Milkweed—Apr 25 – May 9Jul 24 – Oct 2—
Nasturtium—May 2 – May 16Jun 26 – Oct 2—
Pansy / violaJan 10Mar 21 – Apr 4May 5 – Jul 14Aug 19 – Sep 2
Peony—Apr 4 – Apr 18May 23 – Jun 13 (once established)—
PetuniaFeb 14Apr 25 – May 9Jun 14 – Oct 24—
Phacelia—Apr 4 – Apr 18May 19 – Jul 14—
Rose—Apr 4 – Apr 18Jun 6 – Sep 19—
Salvia (ornamental)Feb 14Apr 25 – May 9Jul 4 – Oct 24—
SnapdragonFeb 7Apr 4 – Apr 18Jun 23 – Sep 15—
StrawflowerMar 21May 2 – May 16Jul 31 – Oct 17—
Sunflower—May 2 – May 16Jul 21 – Aug 25—
Sweet alyssumFeb 28Apr 11 – Apr 25May 31 – Oct 4—
Sweet pea (flower)—Mar 7 – Mar 21May 21 – Jul 16—
Tulip—Sep 26 – Oct 31 (fall)Apr 11 – May 16 next year—
Vinca (periwinkle)Feb 14May 9 – May 23Jul 8 – Oct 17—
Zinnia—May 2 – May 16Jul 11 – Oct 3—

Cover crops

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Austrian winter peas—Aug 29 – Sep 19 (fall)May 9 – Jun 6 next year—
Buckwheat—May 2 – May 16Jun 6 – Jul 4—
Cereal rye (winter rye)—Sep 12 – Oct 24 (fall)May 9 – Jun 6 next year—
Crimson clover—Mar 21 – Apr 4May 20 – Jun 24Aug 18 – Sep 1
Hairy vetch—Aug 29 – Sep 26 (fall)May 23 – Jun 20 next year—
Oats (cover crop)—Mar 21 – Apr 4May 20 – Jun 24Aug 11 – Aug 25
White clover—Mar 28 – Apr 11Jun 6 – Aug 15Jul 11 – Jul 25

Frost dates in zone 6a

Average last spring frost
April 18
Safe for frost-tender plants
May 2
Average first fall frost
October 17
Growing season
About 182 days

Your own dates can be a few weeks either side, depending on elevation, nearby water, and whether you're in a city or a low frost pocket.

States with zone 6a

Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah

Month by month

January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December

Other zones

Zone 5b · Zone 6b · All zones and states