Zone 6b planting calendar

In USDA hardiness zone 6b, the average last spring frost is around April 12 and the average first fall frost around October 22: a growing season of about 193 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 April 26, when a late frost is unlikely.

Get exact dates for your ZIP code

Vegetables

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

Fruit

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Apple tree—Mar 22 – Apr 5Aug 13 – Oct 1 (once established)—
Apricot tree—Mar 22 – Apr 5Jun 28 – Jul 19 (once established)—
Blackberry—Mar 22 – Apr 5Jun 28 – Aug 2 (once established)—
Blueberry—Mar 22 – Apr 5Jun 14 – Jul 26 (once established)—
Cantaloupe—May 3 – May 17Jul 22 – Aug 26—
Cherry tree (sweet)—Mar 22 – Apr 5Jun 7 – Jun 28 (once established)—
Currant—Mar 15 – Mar 29Jun 21 – Jul 19 (once established)—
Elderberry—Mar 22 – Apr 5Jul 26 – Aug 30 (once established)—
Fig—Apr 19 – May 3Aug 13 – Oct 8 (once established)—
Gooseberry—Mar 15 – Mar 29Jun 21 – Jul 19 (once established)—
Grape—Mar 22 – Apr 5Aug 27 – Oct 8 (once established)—
Ground cherryMar 8Apr 26 – May 10Jul 5 – Sep 13—
Honeyberry (haskap)—Mar 15 – Mar 29May 31 – Jun 21 (once established)—
Honeydew—May 3 – May 17Aug 6 – Sep 10—
Meyer lemon—May 3 – May 17Sep 24 – Dec 17 (once established)—
Peach tree—Mar 22 – Apr 5Jul 19 – Aug 30 (once established)—
Pear tree—Mar 22 – Apr 5Jul 30 – Sep 17 (once established)—
Plum tree—Mar 22 – Apr 5Jul 19 – Aug 16 (once established)—
Raspberry (fall-bearing)—Mar 22 – Apr 5Sep 10 – Oct 22—
Raspberry (summer)—Mar 22 – Apr 5Jun 14 – Jul 19 (once established)—
Strawberry (everbearing)—Mar 22 – Apr 5Jun 20 – Sep 26—
Strawberry (June-bearing)—Mar 22 – Apr 5May 10 – Jun 7 (once established)—
Watermelon—May 3 – May 17Jul 27 – Aug 31—

Herbs

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
BasilMar 15Apr 26 – May 10May 26 – Sep 1—
Borage—Apr 12 – Apr 26Jun 6 – Aug 29—
Cannabis auto—Apr 26 – May 10Jul 15 – Aug 12Jul 6 – Jul 20
Cannabis regularMar 29Apr 26 – May 10Sep 18 – Oct 22—
CatnipFeb 15Mar 29 – Apr 12May 28 – Oct 1—
Chamomile—Mar 29 – Apr 12May 28 – Aug 6—
Chervil—Mar 22 – Apr 5May 11 – Jun 22Aug 19 – Sep 2
ChivesJan 25Mar 22 – Apr 5May 21 – Oct 22—
Cilantro—Mar 22 – Apr 5May 6 – Jun 10Aug 24 – Sep 7
Dill—Apr 26 – May 10Jun 10 – Aug 5—
Fennel (bulb)—Apr 12 – Apr 26Jul 1 – Aug 5Jul 20 – Aug 3
Garlic chivesFeb 1Mar 29 – Apr 12Jun 17 – Oct 21—
LavenderFeb 8Apr 19 – May 3Jul 18 – Aug 29—
Lemon balmFeb 15Apr 12 – Apr 26Jun 11 – Oct 15—
Lemongrass—Apr 26 – May 10Jul 25 – Oct 3—
LovageFeb 1Mar 29 – Apr 12Jun 17 – Oct 21—
MarjoramFeb 22Apr 19 – May 3Jun 28 – Oct 4—
Mint—Apr 5 – Apr 19May 5 – Oct 6—
OreganoFeb 15Apr 12 – Apr 26Jun 11 – Oct 15—
ParsleyFeb 1Mar 29 – Apr 12Jun 7 – Oct 11—
Rosemary—Apr 19 – May 3Jun 3 – Nov 4—
SageFeb 15Apr 12 – Apr 26Jun 26 – Oct 30—
SteviaMar 1Apr 26 – May 10Jul 25 – Oct 3—
Summer savory—Apr 26 – May 10Jun 25 – Sep 3—
Tarragon (French)—Apr 19 – May 3Jun 18 – Sep 24—
Thai basilMar 15Apr 26 – May 10Jun 25 – Oct 1—
ThymeFeb 15Apr 12 – Apr 26Jun 21 – Oct 25—

Flowers

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Bachelor's button—Mar 15 – Mar 29May 19 – Jul 28—
Begonia—Apr 26 – May 10Jun 10 – Oct 22—
Black-eyed SusanFeb 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Jul 4 – Sep 26—
Calendula—Mar 29 – Apr 12May 18 – Aug 24Aug 19 – Sep 2
ColeusFeb 15Apr 26 – May 10Jun 15 – Oct 22—
Coneflower (echinacea)—Apr 12 – Apr 26Jul 11 – Oct 3—
Cosmos—Apr 26 – May 10Jul 10 – Oct 2—
Daffodil—Sep 24 – Oct 29 (fall)Mar 15 – Apr 12 next year—
Dahlia—Apr 26 – May 10Aug 4 – Oct 13—
Daylily—Apr 12 – Apr 26Jun 21 – Aug 16—
Geranium—Apr 26 – May 10Jun 10 – Oct 22—
Gladiolus—Apr 26 – May 10Jul 15 – Aug 19—
Hosta—Apr 12 – Apr 26Jun 21 – Aug 16—
ImpatiensFeb 15Apr 26 – May 10Jun 15 – Oct 22—
MarigoldMar 15Apr 26 – May 10Jun 15 – Oct 5—
Milkweed—Apr 19 – May 3Jul 18 – Sep 26—
Nasturtium—Apr 26 – May 10Jun 20 – Sep 26—
Pansy / violaJan 4Mar 15 – Mar 29Apr 29 – Jul 8Aug 24 – Sep 7
Peony—Mar 29 – Apr 12May 17 – Jun 7 (once established)—
PetuniaFeb 8Apr 19 – May 3Jun 8 – Oct 29—
Phacelia—Mar 29 – Apr 12May 13 – Jul 8—
Rose—Mar 29 – Apr 12May 31 – Sep 13—
Salvia (ornamental)Feb 8Apr 19 – May 3Jun 28 – Oct 29—
SnapdragonFeb 1Mar 29 – Apr 12Jun 17 – Sep 9—
StrawflowerMar 15Apr 26 – May 10Jul 25 – Oct 17—
Sunflower—Apr 26 – May 10Jul 15 – Aug 19—
Sweet alyssumFeb 22Apr 5 – Apr 19May 25 – Sep 28—
Sweet pea (flower)—Mar 1 – Mar 15May 15 – Jul 10—
Tulip—Oct 1 – Nov 5 (fall)Apr 5 – May 10 next year—
Vinca (periwinkle)Feb 8May 3 – May 17Jul 2 – Oct 22—
Zinnia—Apr 26 – May 10Jul 5 – Sep 27—

Cover crops

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Austrian winter peas—Sep 3 – Sep 24 (fall)May 3 – May 31 next year—
Buckwheat—Apr 26 – May 10May 31 – Jun 28—
Cereal rye (winter rye)—Sep 17 – Oct 29 (fall)May 3 – May 31 next year—
Crimson clover—Mar 15 – Mar 29May 14 – Jun 18Aug 23 – Sep 6
Hairy vetch—Sep 3 – Oct 1 (fall)May 17 – Jun 14 next year—
Oats (cover crop)—Mar 15 – Mar 29May 14 – Jun 18Aug 16 – Aug 30
White clover—Mar 22 – Apr 5May 31 – Aug 9Jul 16 – Jul 30

Frost dates in zone 6b

Average last spring frost
April 12
Safe for frost-tender plants
April 26
Average first fall frost
October 22
Growing season
About 193 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 6b

Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Washington, West Virginia

Month by month

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

Other zones

Zone 6a · Zone 7a · All zones and states