The best growing season for USDA Zone 6 is typically from mid-April to mid-October. Planting time depends upon which plant it is. You can start the seeds indoors or directly plant them outside depending upon the weather and plant type.
In this article, you will find the best planting schedule charts for Zone 6.
I have been creating monthly planting charts for Zone 6 for a long time. But this is a full-year planting guide that will show you the best planting time for any specific plant.
Who can follow these charts?
I couldn't list every location, and these areas may change over time. For now, you can get an idea from the table below:
| Region | U.S. Locations | Major Cities | International Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest | Central Illinois, Southern Indiana, Eastern Kansas, Central Missouri, Eastern Nebraska, Southern Ohio | Springfield (IL), Bloomington (IN), Kansas City, St. Louis, Cincinnati | Ontario (Canada), Northern France |
| Northeast | Western Pennsylvania, Upstate New York, Northern New Jersey, Western Massachusetts | Pittsburgh, Albany, Scranton, Hartford | United Kingdom (Southern Areas), Germany |
| South | Western Virginia, Central Kentucky, Eastern Tennessee, Northern North Carolina | Lexington, Roanoke, Knoxville, Asheville | NA |
| West | Eastern Colorado, Northern Utah, Northern New Mexico, Western Idaho, Eastern Oregon | Denver, Salt Lake City, Boise, Bend | Czech Republic, Southern Poland |
| High Elevation Areas | Mountainous parts of Northern Arizona, Western Nevada, Eastern California | Flagstaff, Reno, Tahoe | Parts of the Himalayas, Northern Italy |
To make this guide easy to understand, I have separated the charts into the following categories:
- Leafy Greens
- Vegetables
- Herbs
- Flowering Plants
- Berries and fruits
The charts are in two different formats: Table format and visual chart.
Want a printable file for these charts? Just subscribe to this site and become a premium member. I will send the chart to you. ( Creating the charts really takes a lot of time and effort. Your subscription motivates me to bring gardening tips for Zone 6 )
Leafy greens planting schedule
| Plant | Best Planting Time | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | Variety Suggestions | Harvesting Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spinach | Mar 15 to Apr 30 Aug 1 to Sep 15 |
Direct Sow | Not Needed | Bloomsdale, Space, Giant Winter | 30-45 days |
| Kale | Mar 1 to Apr 15 Jul 15 to Aug 30 |
Direct Sow or Start Indoors | Apr 15 to May 10 Aug 15 to Sep 10 |
Red Russian, Lacinato, Winterbor | 50-60 days |
| Lettuce | Mar 10 to Apr 30 Aug 15 to Sep 30 |
Direct Sow or Start Indoors | Apr 10 to May 5 Sep 1 to Oct 10 |
Buttercrunch, Romaine, Black-Seeded Simpson | 30-50 days |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 15 to Apr 30 Aug 1 to Sep 15 |
Direct Sow | Not Needed | Bright Lights, Fordhook Giant | 50-60 days |
| Collard Greens | Mar 1 to Apr 30 Jul 15 to Aug 30 |
Direct Sow or Start Indoors | Apr 15 to May 10 Aug 15 to Sep 10 |
Vates, Georgia Southern | 50-75 days |
| Mustard Greens | Mar 15 to Apr 30 Aug 15 to Oct 1 |
Direct Sow | Not Needed | Southern Giant, Green Wave | 30-50 days |
| Arugula | Mar 1 to Apr 30 Sep 1 to Oct 15 |
Direct Sow | Not Needed | Rocket, Astro | 25-40 days |
| Bok Choy | Mar 15 to Apr 30 Aug 15 to Sep 30 |
Direct Sow or Start Indoors | Apr 10 to May 5 Sep 1 to Sep 25 |
Tatsoi, Joi Choi | 30-50 days |
| Endive | Mar 20 to Apr 30 Aug 10 to Sep 15 |
Direct Sow | Not Needed | Frisée, Broadleaf Batavian | 40-60 days |
| Watercress | Mar 15 to May 1 Aug 15 to Sep 30 |
Direct Sow | Not Needed | Aqua, Nasturtium Officinale | 50-60 days |
| Chicory | Mar 10 to Apr 30 Aug 15 to Sep 30 |
Direct Sow | Not Needed | Punterelle, Italian Dandelion | 60-70 days |
Here is the visual chart:
Vegetables planting schedule chart for Zone 6
| Plant | Best Planting Time | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | Variety Suggestions | Harvesting Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrot | Mar 15 to May 15 Aug 1 to Sep 15 |
Direct Sow | Not Needed | Nantes, Danvers, Chantenay | 60-80 days |
| Radish | Mar 15 to May 15 Aug 15 to Oct 15 |
Direct Sow | Not Needed | Cherry Belle, French Breakfast | 25-40 days |
| Beet | Mar 15 to May 15 Aug 1 to Sep 15 |
Direct Sow | Not Needed | Detroit Dark Red, Golden, Chioggia | 50-70 days |
| Potato | Apr 1 to May 15 | Seed Tubers | Not Needed | Yukon Gold, Red Pontiac, Russet | 90-120 days |
| Sweet Potato | May 1 to Jun 15 | Slips | Not Needed | Beauregard, Georgia Jet | 100-120 days |
| Onion | Feb 15 to Apr 15 | Seeds, Sets, or Transplants | Apr 1 to May 1 | Walla Walla, Yellow Sweet Spanish | 90-120 days |
| Garlic | Sep 15 to Nov 15 | Cloves | Not Needed | Hardneck: Music, Softneck: Inchelium Red | 240-270 days |
| Tomato | Feb 15 to Mar 15 (Start Indoors) May 1 to Jun 1 (Transplant) |
Start Indoors | May 1 to Jun 1 | Roma, Brandywine, Sungold | 60-80 days after transplant |
| Pepper | Feb 15 to Mar 15 (Start Indoors) May 15 to Jun 15 (Transplant) |
Start Indoors | May 15 to Jun 15 | Bell: California Wonder, Hot: Jalapeño | 60-90 days after transplant |
| Eggplant | Feb 15 to Mar 15 (Start Indoors) May 15 to Jun 15 (Transplant) |
Start Indoors | May 15 to Jun 15 | Black Beauty, Rosa Bianca | 80-100 days after transplant |
| Green Bean | May 1 to Jul 15 | Direct Sow | Not Needed | Blue Lake, Kentucky Wonder | 50-60 days |
| Pea | Mar 1 to Apr 15 Aug 15 to Sep 15 |
Direct Sow | Not Needed | Snap: Sugar Ann, Shelling: Wando | 60-70 days |
| Squash (Zucchini, Summer) | May 1 to Jun 15 | Direct Sow | Not Needed | Black Beauty, Yellow Crookneck | 45-60 days |
| Winter Squash (Butternut, Acorn) | May 1 to Jun 15 | Direct Sow | Not Needed | Waltham Butternut, Table Queen Acorn | 80-110 days |
| Cucumber | May 1 to Jun 15 | Direct Sow | Not Needed | Marketmore, Boston Pickling | 50-70 days |
| Corn | Apr 20 to Jun 15 | Direct Sow | Not Needed | Golden Bantam, Peaches & Cream | 75-100 days |
In the visual chart, I have shown the transplanting time for the indoor started seeds.
Flowering Plants
| Plant | Best Planting Time | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | Blooming Time | Perennial or Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marigold | Apr 1 to Jun 15 | Direct Sow or Start Indoors | May 15 to Jun 30 | Jun to Sep | Annual |
| Petunia | Feb 15 to Mar 15 (Start Indoors) | Start Indoors | May 15 to Jun 15 | May to Oct | Annual |
| Sunflower | Apr 15 to Jun 15 | Direct Sow | Not Needed | Jul to Sep | Annual |
| Zinnia | Apr 15 to Jun 15 | Direct Sow | Not Needed | Jun to Oct | Annual |
| Cosmos | Apr 15 to Jun 15 | Direct Sow | Not Needed | Jun to Sep | Annual |
| Lavender | Feb 15 to Apr 15 (Start Indoors) | Start Indoors | May 15 to Jun 15 | Jun to Aug | Perennial |
| Black-Eyed Susan | Mar 1 to May 1 | Direct Sow or Start Indoors | May 15 to Jun 15 | Jul to Sep | Perennial |
| Snapdragon | Feb 1 to Mar 15 (Start Indoors) | Start Indoors | Apr 15 to May 15 | May to Sep | Annual |
| Echinacea (Coneflower) | Mar 1 to May 1 | Direct Sow or Start Indoors | May 15 to Jun 15 | Jun to Sep | Perennial |
| Hollyhock | Mar 1 to May 1 | Direct Sow | Not Needed | Jun to Aug (Following Year) | Biennial |
| Delphinium | Feb 15 to Apr 15 (Start Indoors) | Start Indoors | May 15 to Jun 15 | Jun to Jul | Perennial |
| Coreopsis | Mar 1 to May 1 | Direct Sow | Not Needed | Jun to Sep | Perennial |
| Aster | Feb 15 to Mar 15 (Start Indoors) | Start Indoors | May 15 to Jun 15 | Aug to Oct | Perennial |
| Pansy | Jul 1 to Sep 1 (Fall Planting) | Direct Sow or Start Indoors | Sep 15 to Oct 15 | Mar to Jun | Annual |
| Dianthus | Feb 15 to Mar 15 (Start Indoors) | Start Indoors | May 1 to Jun 1 | May to Sep | Perennial |
You can find if a flowering plant is perennial or annual in the last column of the chart.
Herbs planting schedule
| Herb | Best Planting Time | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | Flavor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Apr 15 to Jun 15 | Start Indoors or Direct Sow | May 15 to Jun 30 | Sweet, slightly peppery |
| Parsley | Mar 1 to May 15 | Start Indoors or Direct Sow | May 1 to Jun 1 | Earthy, slightly bitter |
| Cilantro | Mar 1 to May 1 Aug 15 to Sep 30 |
Direct Sow | Not Needed | Bright, citrusy |
| Chives | Mar 15 to May 1 | Direct Sow or Start Indoors | Apr 15 to May 15 | Mild onion-like |
| Dill | Apr 1 to Jun 1 Aug 1 to Sep 1 |
Direct Sow | Not Needed | Fresh, tangy |
| Oregano | Feb 15 to Apr 15 (Start Indoors) | Start Indoors | May 15 to Jun 15 | Warm, slightly bitter |
| Rosemary | Feb 15 to Apr 15 (Start Indoors) | Start Indoors | May 15 to Jun 15 | Piney, woody |
| Thyme | Feb 15 to Apr 15 (Start Indoors) | Start Indoors | May 15 to Jun 15 | Earthy, slightly minty |
| Sage | Feb 15 to Apr 15 (Start Indoors) | Start Indoors | May 15 to Jun 15 | Warm, peppery |
| Mint | Mar 15 to May 1 | Start Indoors or Direct Sow | Apr 15 to May 15 | Cooling, sweet |
| Tarragon | Feb 15 to Apr 15 (Start Indoors) | Start Indoors | May 15 to Jun 15 | Licorice-like, slightly bitter |
| Fennel | Mar 1 to May 1 | Direct Sow | Not Needed | Sweet, anise-like |
| Lavender | Feb 15 to Apr 15 (Start Indoors) | Start Indoors | May 15 to Jun 15 | Floral, slightly bitter |
| Lemon Balm | Mar 1 to May 1 | Direct Sow or Start Indoors | Apr 15 to May 15 | Citrusy, minty |
Tip: Try to grow the basil when the temperature gets really warm for better results.
Berries and fruit trees best planting time for Zone 6
| Plant | Best Planting Time | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | Fruit Bearing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strawberry | Sep 15 to Nov 15 | Bare-Root or Transplants | Not Needed | May to Jul (Next Year) |
| Blueberry | Dec 1 to Feb 28 | Container or Bare-Root | Not Needed | Jun to Aug (2nd Year Onward) |
| Raspberry | Nov 1 to Apr 1 | Canes or Bare-Root | Not Needed | Jul to Sep |
| Blackberry | Nov 1 to Apr 1 | Canes or Bare-Root | Not Needed | Jul to Sep |
| Gooseberry | Nov 1 to Mar 15 | Container or Bare-Root | Not Needed | Jun to Jul |
| Currant | Nov 1 to Mar 15 | Container or Bare-Root | Not Needed | Jun to Jul |
| Apple Tree | Feb 1 to Apr 30 Oct 1 to Dec 1 |
Grafted Tree or Bare-Root | Not Needed | Aug to Oct (3rd Year Onward) |
| Pear Tree | Feb 1 to Apr 30 Oct 1 to Dec 1 |
Grafted Tree or Bare-Root | Not Needed | Aug to Oct (4th Year Onward) |
| Peach Tree | Feb 1 to Apr 30 | Grafted Tree or Bare-Root | Not Needed | Jul to Sep (3rd Year Onward) |
| Cherry Tree | Feb 1 to Apr 30 | Grafted Tree or Bare-Root | Not Needed | May to Jul (4th Year Onward) |
| Plum Tree | Feb 1 to Apr 30 | Grafted Tree or Bare-Root | Not Needed | Jul to Sep (3rd Year Onward) |
| Fig Tree | Mar 1 to May 1 | Container or Bare-Root | Not Needed | Jul to Oct (2nd Year Onward) |
| Grape Vine | Feb 1 to Apr 30 | Cuttings or Bare-Root | Not Needed | Aug to Oct (3rd Year Onward) |
| Pawpaw Tree | Feb 1 to Apr 30 | Container or Bare-Root | Not Needed | Sep to Oct (4th Year Onward) |
| Persimmon Tree | Feb 1 to Apr 30 | Grafted Tree or Bare-Root | Not Needed | Oct to Nov (4th Year Onward) |
Find it helpful? Share with your Zone 6 gardening friends.
