USDA hardiness zone
Zone 6 — -10 to 0°F
Southern Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri, parts of mid-Atlantic · 180-day growing season
What grows in Zone 6
Zone 6 suits the following plants based on temperature tolerance and growing-season length:
- Tomatoes (all types)
- Peppers, eggplant
- Squash, melons, cucumbers
- Beans, peas
- Sweet corn
- Apples, pears, peaches, plums
- Cherries, blueberries
- Asparagus, rhubarb
- Garlic (fall-planted)
- Strawberries
- Herbs (basil, oregano, thyme)
- Cool-season greens (spring + fall)
Climate notes for Zone 6
Two-season growing — cool-season crops in spring/fall, warm-season in summer. Heirloom tomato varieties work well here.
Frost dates and timing
| Average last spring frost | mid- to late April |
|---|---|
| Average first fall frost | mid- to late October |
| Growing season length | ~180 days |
| Temperature range (F) | -10 to 0°F |
| Temperature range (C) | -23 to -18°C |
These are zone-wide averages. Local microclimates (south-facing slopes, urban heat, lakeside warmth) can shift dates by 1-2 weeks within the same zone.
Source and methodology
Temperature ranges from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023). Frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online national averages within each zone. Plant recommendations curated by the Growli editorial team from US extension service references.
What to plant in Zone 6
Crop-by-crop sowing, transplant, and harvest dates for zone 6:
- When to plant tomatoes in zone 6
- When to plant peppers in zone 6
- When to plant basil in zone 6
- When to plant garlic in zone 6
- When to plant lettuce in zone 6
- When to plant bush beans in zone 6
- When to plant cucumbers in zone 6
- When to plant summer squash in zone 6
- When to plant peas in zone 6
- When to plant carrots in zone 6
- When to plant broccoli in zone 6
- When to plant cauliflower in zone 6
- When to plant cabbage in zone 6
- When to plant kale in zone 6
- When to plant brussels sprouts in zone 6
- When to plant collard greens in zone 6
- When to plant spinach in zone 6
- When to plant swiss chard in zone 6
- When to plant arugula in zone 6
- When to plant beets in zone 6
- When to plant radishes in zone 6
- When to plant turnips in zone 6
- When to plant parsnips in zone 6
- When to plant kohlrabi in zone 6
- When to plant onions in zone 6
- When to plant leeks in zone 6
- When to plant celery in zone 6
- When to plant asparagus in zone 6
- When to plant rhubarb in zone 6
- When to plant potatoes in zone 6
- When to plant sweet potatoes in zone 6
- When to plant eggplant in zone 6
- When to plant okra in zone 6
- When to plant sweet corn in zone 6
- When to plant pumpkins in zone 6
- When to plant winter squash in zone 6
- When to plant zucchini in zone 6
- When to plant cantaloupe in zone 6
- When to plant watermelon in zone 6
- When to plant pole beans in zone 6
- When to plant edamame in zone 6
- When to plant fava beans in zone 6
- When to plant cilantro in zone 6
- When to plant dill in zone 6
- When to plant parsley in zone 6
- When to plant oregano in zone 6
- When to plant thyme in zone 6
- When to plant sage in zone 6
- When to plant chives in zone 6
Common questions
What can I plant in USDA Zone 6?
Zone 6 suits Tomatoes (all types), Peppers, eggplant, Squash, melons, cucumbers, Beans, peas, Sweet corn, Apples, pears, peaches, plums, and more, based on its 180-day growing season and -10 to 0°F average minimum temperatures.
When is the last frost in Zone 6?
The average last spring frost in Zone 6 passes around mid- to late April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid- to late October. Wait until after the last frost date before planting tender crops outdoors.
How long is the growing season in Zone 6?
Zone 6 has roughly 180 frost-free growing days between the average last spring frost (mid- to late April) and the first fall frost (mid- to late October).
What is the temperature range of USDA Zone 6?
USDA Zone 6 is defined by average annual minimum temperatures of -10 to 0°F (-23 to -18°C).
When can I start planting in Zone 6?
Hardy cool-season crops can go outdoors a few weeks before the last frost (mid- to late April); tender crops should wait until 1–2 weeks after it. Start warm-season seeds indoors about 6–8 weeks before mid- to late April.