Zone 6b planting schedule
Zone 6b covers places where the coldest night of an average winter falls between -5 to 0 °F. Here is what that means for frost dates and planting, month by month.
- Average winter low
- -5 to 0 °F
- Typical first frost
- Oct 24
- Last frost, most towns
- Apr 15 to Apr 24
- Frost-free season
- about 188 days
Middle values among the 382 towns of 10,000 people or more in zone 6b (our calculation, NOAA 1991-2020).
Where zone 6b is
Zone 6b towns are most common in Ohio, Missouri, Michigan, New York, Massachusetts, Kansas, Pennsylvania and Indiana. Its biggest cities include Columbus, OH; Indianapolis, IN; Detroit, MI; Kansas City, MO; Buffalo, NY. Because a zone is set only by winter cold, towns in it can have quite different springs: the middle half of them have their last frost between Apr 15 and Apr 24. Use your own town's dates when you can.
| City | Last frost | First frost | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | Apr 18 | Oct 27 | 191 d |
| Indianapolis, IN | Apr 15 | Oct 26 | 193 d |
| Detroit, MI | Apr 21 | Oct 31 | 190 d |
| Kansas City, MO | Apr 4 | Nov 2 | 211 d |
| Buffalo, NY | Apr 24 | Oct 26 | 183 d |
| Toledo, OH | Apr 20 | Oct 27 | 188 d |
| Worcester, MA | Apr 23 | Oct 21 | 181 d |
| Rochester, NY | Apr 24 | Oct 25 | 181 d |
| Overland Park, KS | Apr 8 | Oct 29 | 204 d |
| Akron, OH | Apr 24 | Oct 28 | 186 d |
| Springfield, MO | Apr 4 | Oct 27 | 204 d |
| Kansas City, KS | Apr 4 | Nov 2 | 211 d |
Zone 6b planting calendar, month by month
Counted from the zone's typical frost dates. March is the busiest month for planting outside, with 29 crops going in. Each crop name links to its own page with the dates for your exact town.
| Month | Start indoors | Plant or sow outside | First harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Leeks, Celery, Parsley | ||
| February | Marigolds, Herbs, Tomatoes, Peppers, Broccoli, Kale, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Eggplant | Roses, Fruit Trees, Apple Trees, Cherry Trees | |
| March | Zinnias, Lettuce, Cucumbers, Zucchini (Summer Squash), Winter Squash, Pumpkins, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Swiss Chard, Okra, Basil | Strawberries, Wildflowers, Blueberries, Raspberries, Asparagus, Rhubarb, Lilies, Hostas, Herbs, Trees, Hydrangeas, Potatoes, Onions, Peas, Broccoli, Lettuce, Carrots, Radishes, Beets, Spinach, Kale, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Collard Greens, Swiss Chard, Bok Choy, Turnips, Leeks | Radishes |
| April | Sunflowers, Dahlias, Gladiolus, Summer Bulbs, Zinnias, Marigolds, Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers, Zucchini (Summer Squash), Winter Squash, Pumpkins, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Sweet Corn, Green Beans, Cauliflower, Swiss Chard, Celery, Eggplant, Okra, Sweet Potatoes, Basil, Dill, Parsley | Spinach, Collard Greens, Turnips | |
| May | Potatoes, Peas, Broccoli, Lettuce, Zucchini (Summer Squash), Carrots, Beets, Kale, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Swiss Chard, Bok Choy, Basil | ||
| June | Tomatoes, Peppers, Onions, Cucumbers, Sweet Corn, Green Beans, Brussels Sprouts, Leeks, Eggplant, Okra | ||
| July | Irises, Cucumbers, Green Beans, Carrots, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts | Winter Squash, Pumpkins, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Sweet Potatoes | |
| August | Strawberries, Wildflowers, Hostas, Herbs, Trees, Hydrangeas, Peas, Broccoli, Lettuce, Zucchini (Summer Squash), Radishes, Beets, Spinach, Kale, Cabbage, Collard Greens, Swiss Chard, Bok Choy, Arugula, Turnips | ||
| September | Daffodils, Tulips, Blueberries, Lilies, Peonies, Hyacinths, Crocus, Ornamental Alliums, Garlic, Shallots | ||
| October | Rhubarb, Fruit Trees, Apple Trees, Crape Myrtles | ||
| November | |||
| December | Onions |
Fall plantings are listed with the month they go in. Ranges for each crop are on its page.
What grows well in zone 6b
A season of about 188 days fits nearly every garden crop. Cool-season crops get a spring and a fall planting; warm-season crops such as tomatoes, peppers, squash and beans have a long, steady summer.
Zone and frost dates: our own calculation from NOAA NCEI records (Global Summary of the Year, U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020); not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Crop timing: university extension guides, listed on each crop page.