USDA Zone 6a planting calendar
The year in Zone 6a
What to plant now (October)
Choose supplies for your planting plan
Check the crop's sowing method first. Trays and seed-starting mix are for indoor starts; row cover can help protect outdoor seedlings. Reuse supplies you already have, and check product dimensions before ordering.
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Seed-starting traysBurpee SuperSeed 36-cell trayReusable cells that pop seedlings out with the roots intact at transplant time.See it on Amazon- Seed-starting mixEspoma Organic Seed StarterA fine, sterile mix so small seeds can push through and seedlings don't rot.See it on Amazon
- Floating row coverAgribon AG-30 row coverAdds a few degrees of frost protection on cold nights and keeps insects off young plants.See it on Amazon
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All crops in Zone 6a
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant / sow | Sow for fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | March 30 – April 6 | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Peppers | March 19 | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Eggplant | March 23 – April 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Basil | March 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Broccoli | March 12 – March 19 | April 2 – April 16 | July 6 – July 20 |
| Cabbage | February 19 – March 5 | March 26 – April 9 | May 27 – June 10 |
| Cauliflower | March 5 – March 19 | April 9 – April 23 | July 11 – July 25 |
| Brussels Sprouts | February 26 – March 12 | April 2 – April 16 | — |
| Kale | February 19 – March 5 | March 26 – April 9 | July 16 – July 30 |
| Lettuce | March 2 – March 9 | March 30 – April 13 | July 1 – July 15 |
| Spinach | — | March 23 – April 6 | August 10 – August 24 |
| Onions | January 22 – February 5 | March 26 – April 9 | — |
| Leeks | January 29 – February 12 | April 2 – April 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | March 5 – March 12 | April 9 – April 23 | — |
| Radishes | — | April 2 – April 16 | August 25 – September 8 |
| Turnips | — | April 2 – April 16 | July 26 – August 9 |
| Beets | — | April 9 – April 23 | July 21 – August 4 |
| Carrots | — | April 23 – May 7 | June 21 – July 5 |
| Peas | — | March 19 – April 2 | July 16 – July 30 |
| Beans | — | April 30 – May 14 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | April 30 – May 14 | — |
| Cucumbers | April 13 – April 20 | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Summer Squash & Zucchini | April 16 – April 23 | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Winter Squash | April 16 – April 23 | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Pumpkins | April 16 – April 23 | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Melons | April 16 – April 23 | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Okra | April 9 – April 23 | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Potatoes | — | April 13 – April 27 | — |
| Parsley | February 2 – February 9 | April 6 – April 20 | — |
| Collards | February 19 – March 5 | March 26 – April 9 | July 1 – July 15 |
| Watermelon | April 16 – April 23 | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Celery | February 12 – February 26 | April 30 – May 14 | — |
| Kohlrabi | February 19 – March 5 | March 26 – April 9 | — |
| Artichoke | February 5 – March 5 | April 23 – May 7 | — |
| Asparagus | — | March 30 – April 13 | — |
| Cilantro | — | April 30 – May 14 | — |
| Dill | — | April 13 – April 27 | — |
| Oregano | February 26 – March 12 | April 30 – May 14 | — |
| Sage | March 12 – March 26 | April 30 – May 14 | — |
| Thyme | February 26 – March 12 | April 30 – May 14 | — |
Fall bulb planting in Zone 6a
| Crop | Plant cloves (fall) | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Garlic | October 19 – November 2 | Following summer |
Calendar computed 2026-10-01. 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.