Free planting guide · PDF
Zone 6b planting guide
A one-page zone 6b planting guide: average last and first frost dates, what vegetables to plant when in spring and fall, and how to pick perennials for zone 6b.
What is on this planting guide
Average coldest winter night -5 to 0°F (-21 to -18°C). Places in zone 6b include Pittsburgh, PA, Kansas City, MO, Cincinnati, OH, Indianapolis, IN.
Spring: what to plant and when
| Group | Plant outside | Crops |
|---|---|---|
| Hardy crops tolerate a hard frost | March 11 to March 25 | Asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, collards, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, leek, mustard, onion, peas, potato, radish, rhubarb, spinach, turnip |
| Semi-hardy crops tolerate a light frost | March 25 to April 8 | Beet, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chard, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, mustard, parsnip |
| Tender crops damaged by frost | From April 22 | Bean, sweet corn, tomato |
| Very tender crops warm season | From May 6 | Cucumber, eggplant, melons, okra, pepper, pumpkin, squash, sweet potato |
Fall garden
Count back from the first fall frost (October 22): days to harvest, plus about 14 days because growth slows in fall, plus 14 more for frost-tender crops. A 50-day crop goes in by August 19 , a 70-day crop by July 30 .
| Semi-hardy (take light frost) | Beets, mustard, radishes, spinach, Swiss chard, green onions |
| Hardy (take several frosts) | Cabbage, carrots, turnips, rutabagas, kale |
Frost dates: medians across 5,268 zone 6b ZIP codes, from the nearest NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals station (32°F, 50% chance). Spring timing: Purdue Extension HO-186-W. Fall method and crops: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension NebGuide G1343. Your own dates by ZIP code: plantsdirectusa.com.
