Zone 6a planting calendar
In zone 6a the last spring frost usually comes around April 29 and the first fall frost around October 16: about 170 frost-free days. Here is what to do each month.
Typical frost dates
- Last spring frost
- April 29 Middle half of the zone: Apr 22 – May 4. Over by May 14 in 9 of 10 years.
- First fall frost
- October 16 Middle half of the zone: Oct 10 – Oct 21. After Oct 1 in 9 of 10 years.
- Frost-free season
- about 170 days
- Coldest winter nights
- -10 to -5 °F
- ZIP codes in the zone
- 5,183
Most of its weather stations are in Michigan, Indiana, Colorado, Illinois, Ohio and Utah and 22 more.
Places in zone 6a
Zones measure winter cold, so frost dates still vary from place to place. A few weather stations across the zone:
| Place | State | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Frost-free days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign | Illinois | Apr 23 | Oct 13 | 170 |
| Bryan | Ohio | Apr 26 | Oct 17 | 170 |
| Sheridan Lake | Colorado | Apr 27 | Oct 15 | 170 |
| Oakley | Kansas | Apr 28 | Oct 15 | 170 |
| Battle Creek Kellogg | Michigan | Apr 30 | Oct 19 | 170 |
| Donegal | Pennsylvania | Apr 30 | Oct 17 | 170 |
| South Bend Michiana | Indiana | May 1 | Oct 19 | 170 |
| Timpanogos Cave | Utah | May 2 | Oct 16 | 161 |
Month by month in zone 6a
Every job for all 60 crops, in the month it starts.
January
A quiet month: order seeds and sketch the beds.
February
March
Start indoors
- Tomatoes Mar 4–18
- Tomatillos Mar 4–18
- Cabbage Mar 4–18
- Broccoli Mar 4–18
- Cauliflower Mar 4–18
- Chives Mar 4–18
- Basil Mar 18 – Apr 1
- Marigolds Mar 18 – Apr 1
April
Sow outside
- Shallots (shallot sets) Apr 1–15
- Collard greens Apr 1–22
- Kohlrabi Apr 1–22
- Turnips Apr 1–22
- Asparagus (asparagus crowns) Apr 1–22
- Rhubarb (rhubarb crowns) Apr 1–22
- Mustard greens Apr 1–29
- Potatoes (seed potatoes) Apr 1–29
- Lettuce Apr 1 – May 13
- Green onions Apr 1 – May 13
- Bok choy Apr 8–29
- Parsnips Apr 8 – May 6
- Carrots Apr 8 – May 13
- Beets Apr 8 – May 13
- Cilantro Apr 15 – May 13
- Swiss chard Apr 15 – May 20
- Dill Apr 22 – May 20
- Sunflowers Apr 29 – May 27
Plant out
- Cabbage Apr 1–15
- Onions Apr 1–15
- Strawberries (strawberry plants) Apr 1–22
- Broccoli Apr 8–29
- Leeks Apr 8 – May 6
- Chives Apr 8 – May 6
- Cauliflower Apr 15–29
- Parsley Apr 15 – May 13
- Thyme Apr 15 – May 13
- Mint Apr 15 – May 13
- Oregano Apr 22 – May 13
- Sage Apr 22 – May 13
- Rosemary Apr 29 – May 20
- Lavender Apr 29 – May 20
May
Sow outside
- Zucchini May 6–20
- Zinnias May 6–20
- Nasturtiums May 6–20
- Cosmos May 6–20
- Cucumbers May 6–27
- Winter squash May 6–27
- Pumpkins May 6–27
- Green beans May 6–27
- Sweet corn May 6–27
- Watermelons May 13–27
- Cantaloupes May 13–27
- Okra May 13 – Jun 3
Plant out
- Tomatoes May 6–20
- Tomatillos May 6–20
- Celery May 6–20
- Marigolds May 6–20
- Peppers May 13–27
- Hot peppers May 13–27
- Eggplant May 13–27
- Basil May 13–27
- Sweet potatoes (sweet potato slips) May 20 – Jun 10
Sow for fall
- Brussels sprouts May 22 – Jun 12
Start picking
- Mustard greens May 1 – Jun 13
- Chives May 8 – Oct 23
- Turnips May 11 – Jun 21
- Lettuce May 11 – Jul 12
- Peas May 12 – Jun 17
- Kale May 12 – Nov 27
- Mint May 15 – Oct 30
- Kohlrabi May 16 – Jun 21
- Bok choy May 18 – Jun 23
- Collard greens May 26 – Nov 27
- Strawberries May 27 – Jun 24
- Beets May 28 – Jul 12
- Cilantro May 30 – Jul 22
- Parsley May 30 – Nov 14
- Thyme May 30 – Nov 14
- Cabbage May 31 – Jul 14
- Green onions May 31 – Jul 27
June
Sow for fall
- Cabbage Jun 19 – Jul 17
- Cauliflower Jun 26 – Jul 17
- Broccoli Jun 26 – Jul 24
Start picking
- Dill Jun 1 – Jul 27
- Broccoli Jun 2 – Jul 18
- Swiss chard Jun 4 – Oct 30
- Marigolds (in bloom) Jun 5 – Oct 16
- Oregano Jun 6 – Oct 24
- Carrots Jun 7 – Aug 1
- Cauliflower Jun 9 – Jul 18
- Basil Jun 12 – Oct 16
- Potatoes Jun 15 – Aug 27
- Zucchini Jun 20 – Aug 29
- Nasturtiums (in bloom) Jun 20 – Oct 10
- Sage Jun 21 – Nov 22
- Green beans Jun 25 – Aug 6
- Cucumbers Jun 25 – Aug 20
- Lavender Jun 28 – Aug 23
- Rosemary Jun 28 – Oct 30
- Shallots Jun 30 – Aug 3
- Onions Jun 30 – Aug 13
July
Sow for fall
- Cucumbers Jul 17–31
- Green beans Jul 17–31
- Zucchini Jul 24 – Aug 7
- Peas Jul 24 – Aug 7
- Carrots Jul 24 – Aug 14
- Beets Jul 24 – Aug 14
- Kale Jul 24 – Aug 21
- Collard greens Jul 24 – Aug 21
- Green onions Jul 31 – Aug 14
Start picking
- Garlic Jul 1–22
- Okra Jul 2 – Oct 8
- Tomatoes Jul 5 – Oct 16
- Zinnias (in bloom) Jul 5 – Oct 16
- Cosmos (in bloom) Jul 5 – Oct 16
- Leeks Jul 7 – Nov 24
- Sunflowers (in bloom) Jul 8 – Sep 4
- Sweet corn Jul 10 – Aug 25
- Tomatillos Jul 10 – Sep 18
- Peppers Jul 12 – Oct 16
- Eggplant Jul 17 – Oct 9
- Cantaloupes Jul 22 – Aug 26
- Watermelons Jul 22 – Sep 4
- Hot peppers Jul 22 – Oct 16
- Winter squash Jul 25 – Oct 16
- Celery Jul 30 – Sep 24
August
Sow for fall
Start picking
- Pumpkins Aug 4 – Oct 13
- Sweet potatoes Aug 18 – Oct 13
September
Start picking
- Cucumbers Sep 5 – Oct 16
- Green beans Sep 5 – Oct 16
- Zucchini Sep 7 – Oct 16
- Beets Sep 12 – Oct 17
- Arugula Sep 13 – Oct 21
- Mustard greens Sep 13 – Oct 26
- Cabbage Sep 15 – Nov 12
- Bok choy Sep 16 – Oct 22
- Spinach Sep 16 – Oct 24
- Lettuce Sep 16 – Oct 28
- Turnips Sep 16 – Nov 3
- Peas Sep 17 – Oct 16
- Cauliflower Sep 17 – Oct 30
- Broccoli Sep 17 – Nov 9
- Brussels sprouts Sep 19 – Nov 27
- Kohlrabi Sep 21 – Oct 27
- Cilantro Sep 21 – Oct 30
- Radishes Sep 22 – Oct 18
- Carrots Sep 22 – Nov 3
- Green onions Sep 29 – Nov 10
October
Sow for fall
- Garlic (garlic cloves) Oct 2 – Nov 6
Start picking
- Parsnips Oct 2 – Nov 27
November
Nothing to sow; clean and store the tools and note what grew well.
December
A month to rest the soil and plan next year.