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USDA Zone 6b planting calendar

In USDA Zone 6b, the average last spring frost is around 04/23 and the first fall frost around 10/20, giving roughly a 179-day growing season. Plant cool-season crops from late winter; warm-season crops after the last frost.
Last frost ~04/23 First frost ~10/20 ~179-day season 126 NOAA stations

Frost dates are the median across 126 NOAA weather stations in Zone 6b (1991–2020 normals, 50% probability). Range: last frost 04/10–05/13, first frost 09/28–10/28. For your exact town, use the ZIP tool.

The year in Zone 6b

Jan4 tasksFeb14 tasksMar24 tasksApr38 tasksMay19 tasksJun2 tasksJul9 tasksAug6 tasksSep1 taskOct1 taskNov1 taskDec—

What to plant now (September)

Radishes
Sow for fall harvest

All crops in Zone 6b

CropStart indoorsTransplant / sowSow for fall
TomatoesMarch 23 – March 30April 27 – May 11—
PeppersMarch 12April 30 – May 14—
EggplantMarch 16 – March 30May 4 – May 18—
BasilMarch 23April 27 – May 11—
BroccoliMarch 5 – March 12March 26 – April 9July 11 – July 25
CabbageFebruary 12 – February 26March 19 – April 2June 1 – June 15
CauliflowerFebruary 26 – March 12April 2 – April 16July 16 – July 30
Brussels SproutsFebruary 19 – March 5March 26 – April 9—
KaleFebruary 12 – February 26March 19 – April 2July 21 – August 4
LettuceFebruary 23 – March 2March 23 – April 6July 6 – July 20
Spinach—March 16 – March 30August 15 – August 29
OnionsJanuary 15 – January 29March 19 – April 2—
LeeksJanuary 22 – February 5March 26 – April 9—
Swiss ChardFebruary 26 – March 5April 2 – April 16—
Radishes—March 26 – April 9August 30 – September 13
Turnips—March 26 – April 9July 31 – August 14
Beets—April 2 – April 16July 26 – August 9
Carrots—April 16 – April 30June 26 – July 10
Peas—March 12 – March 26July 21 – August 4
Beans—April 23 – May 7—
Sweet Corn—April 23 – May 7—
CucumbersApril 6 – April 13April 27 – May 11—
Summer Squash & ZucchiniApril 9 – April 16April 30 – May 14—
Winter SquashApril 9 – April 16April 30 – May 14—
PumpkinsApril 9 – April 16April 30 – May 14—
MelonsApril 9 – April 16April 30 – May 14—
OkraApril 2 – April 16May 7 – May 21—
Potatoes—April 6 – April 20—
ParsleyJanuary 26 – February 2March 30 – April 13—
CollardsFebruary 12 – February 26March 19 – April 2July 6 – July 20
WatermelonApril 9 – April 16April 30 – May 14—
Sweet Potatoes—April 27 – May 11—
CeleryFebruary 5 – February 19April 23 – May 7—
KohlrabiFebruary 12 – February 26March 19 – April 2—
ArtichokeJanuary 29 – February 26April 16 – April 30—
Asparagus—March 23 – April 6—
Cilantro—April 23 – May 7—
Dill—April 6 – April 20—
OreganoFebruary 19 – March 5April 23 – May 7—
SageMarch 5 – March 19April 23 – May 7—
ThymeFebruary 19 – March 5April 23 – May 7—

Fall bulb planting in Zone 6b

Planted in fall after the first frost, for harvest the following summer — a separate calendar from the spring/fall-harvest crops above.

CropPlant cloves (fall)Harvest
GarlicOctober 24 – November 7Following summer

Last verified 2026-09-12. Frost: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 Climate Normals. Zone: USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM-derived). Planting rules: UNH Extension, Johnny's Selected Seeds, UGA Extension.