USDA Zone 6b planting calendar
The year in Zone 6b
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.
Affiliate links — as an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
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
Ordering seeds or soil for this window? Amazon Prime includes fast delivery on eligible items, and eligible new members may be offered a free trial, so supplies ordered now can arrive while the window is still open. Delivery speed varies by item and address. See if you can try Prime free →
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on qualifying sign-ups, at no extra cost to you. Current terms are on Amazon's page.
All crops in Zone 6b
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant / sow | Sow for fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | March 23 – March 30 | April 27 – May 11 | — |
| Peppers | March 12 | April 30 – May 14 | — |
| Eggplant | March 16 – March 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Basil | March 23 | April 27 – May 11 | — |
| Broccoli | March 5 – March 12 | March 26 – April 9 | July 11 – July 25 |
| Cabbage | February 12 – February 26 | March 19 – April 2 | June 1 – June 15 |
| Cauliflower | February 26 – March 12 | April 2 – April 16 | July 16 – July 30 |
| Brussels Sprouts | February 19 – March 5 | March 26 – April 9 | — |
| Kale | February 12 – February 26 | March 19 – April 2 | July 21 – August 4 |
| Lettuce | February 23 – March 2 | March 23 – April 6 | July 6 – July 20 |
| Spinach | — | March 16 – March 30 | August 15 – August 29 |
| Onions | January 15 – January 29 | March 19 – April 2 | — |
| Leeks | January 22 – February 5 | March 26 – April 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | February 26 – March 5 | April 2 – April 16 | — |
| Radishes | — | March 26 – April 9 | August 30 – September 13 |
| Turnips | — | March 26 – April 9 | July 31 – August 14 |
| Beets | — | April 2 – April 16 | July 26 – August 9 |
| Carrots | — | April 16 – April 30 | June 26 – July 10 |
| Peas | — | March 12 – March 26 | July 21 – August 4 |
| Beans | — | April 23 – May 7 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | April 23 – May 7 | — |
| Cucumbers | April 6 – April 13 | April 27 – May 11 | — |
| Summer Squash & Zucchini | April 9 – April 16 | April 30 – May 14 | — |
| Winter Squash | April 9 – April 16 | April 30 – May 14 | — |
| Pumpkins | April 9 – April 16 | April 30 – May 14 | — |
| Melons | April 9 – April 16 | April 30 – May 14 | — |
| Okra | April 2 – April 16 | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Potatoes | — | April 6 – April 20 | — |
| Parsley | January 26 – February 2 | March 30 – April 13 | — |
| Collards | February 12 – February 26 | March 19 – April 2 | July 6 – July 20 |
| Watermelon | April 9 – April 16 | April 30 – May 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | April 27 – May 11 | — |
| Celery | February 5 – February 19 | April 23 – May 7 | — |
| Kohlrabi | February 12 – February 26 | March 19 – April 2 | — |
| Artichoke | January 29 – February 26 | April 16 – April 30 | — |
| Asparagus | — | March 23 – April 6 | — |
| Cilantro | — | April 23 – May 7 | — |
| Dill | — | April 6 – April 20 | — |
| Oregano | February 19 – March 5 | April 23 – May 7 | — |
| Sage | March 5 – March 19 | April 23 – May 7 | — |
| Thyme | February 19 – March 5 | April 23 – May 7 | — |
Fall bulb planting in Zone 6b
| Crop | Plant cloves (fall) | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Garlic | October 24 – November 7 | 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.