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USDA Zone 6a planting calendar

In USDA Zone 6a, the average last spring frost is around 04/30 and the first fall frost around 10/15, giving roughly a 170-day growing season. Plant cool-season crops from late winter; warm-season crops after the last frost.
Last frost ~04/30 First frost ~10/15 ~170-day season 112 NOAA stations

Frost dates are the median across 112 NOAA weather stations in Zone 6a (1991–2020 normals, 50% probability). Range: last frost 04/16–05/16, first frost 10/01–10/23. For your exact town, use the ZIP tool.

The year in Zone 6a

Jan2 tasksFeb12 tasksMar21 tasksApr38 tasksMay22 tasksJun2 tasksJul9 tasksAug4 tasksSep1 taskOct1 taskNov1 taskDec—

What to plant now (August)

Spinach
Sow for fall harvest
Radishes
Sow for fall harvest
Turnips
Sow for fall harvest
Beets
Sow for fall harvest

All crops in Zone 6a

CropStart indoorsTransplant / sowSow for fall
TomatoesMarch 30 – April 6May 4 – May 18—
PeppersMarch 19May 7 – May 21—
EggplantMarch 23 – April 6May 11 – May 25—
BasilMarch 30May 4 – May 18—
BroccoliMarch 12 – March 19April 2 – April 16July 6 – July 20
CabbageFebruary 19 – March 5March 26 – April 9May 27 – June 10
CauliflowerMarch 5 – March 19April 9 – April 23July 11 – July 25
Brussels SproutsFebruary 26 – March 12April 2 – April 16—
KaleFebruary 19 – March 5March 26 – April 9July 16 – July 30
LettuceMarch 2 – March 9March 30 – April 13July 1 – July 15
Spinach—March 23 – April 6August 10 – August 24
OnionsJanuary 22 – February 5March 26 – April 9—
LeeksJanuary 29 – February 12April 2 – April 16—
Swiss ChardMarch 5 – March 12April 9 – April 23—
Radishes—April 2 – April 16August 25 – September 8
Turnips—April 2 – April 16July 26 – August 9
Beets—April 9 – April 23July 21 – August 4
Carrots—April 23 – May 7June 21 – July 5
Peas—March 19 – April 2July 16 – July 30
Beans—April 30 – May 14—
Sweet Corn—April 30 – May 14—
CucumbersApril 13 – April 20May 4 – May 18—
Summer Squash & ZucchiniApril 16 – April 23May 7 – May 21—
Winter SquashApril 16 – April 23May 7 – May 21—
PumpkinsApril 16 – April 23May 7 – May 21—
MelonsApril 16 – April 23May 7 – May 21—
OkraApril 9 – April 23May 14 – May 28—
Potatoes—April 13 – April 27—
ParsleyFebruary 2 – February 9April 6 – April 20—
CollardsFebruary 19 – March 5March 26 – April 9July 1 – July 15
WatermelonApril 16 – April 23May 7 – May 21—
Sweet Potatoes—May 4 – May 18—
CeleryFebruary 12 – February 26April 30 – May 14—
KohlrabiFebruary 19 – March 5March 26 – April 9—
ArtichokeFebruary 5 – March 5April 23 – May 7—
Asparagus—March 30 – April 13—
Cilantro—April 30 – May 14—
Dill—April 13 – April 27—
OreganoFebruary 26 – March 12April 30 – May 14—
SageMarch 12 – March 26April 30 – May 14—
ThymeFebruary 26 – March 12April 30 – May 14—

Fall bulb planting in Zone 6a

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 19 – November 2Following summer

Last verified 2026-08-28. 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.