When is the last frost date in Zone 6a?

The average last frost date in Zone 6a is around March 30. Always check your local weather forecast before transplanting.

What tomatoes grow best in Zone 6a?

In Zone 6a, recommended tomato varieties include Better Boy, Early Girl, Cherokee Purple. Start seeds 6-8 weeks before your last frost date.

When should I start seeds indoors in Zone 6a?

For Zone 6a, start warm-season seeds like tomatoes and peppers indoors 6-10 weeks before your last frost date (around March 30). Cool-season crops can be started 4-6 weeks earlier.

How long is the growing season in Zone 6a?

Zone 6a has approximately 209 frost-free growing days per year, from approximately March 30 to October 25.

Zone 6a Planting Calendar 2026Complete Seed Starting Schedule

Zone 6a offers a generous growing season of over 200 days with mild winters and warm summers. Gardeners can grow virtually all common vegetables, and warm-season crops like melons and sweet corn perform well. Includes St. Louis, Indianapolis, Columbus OH, and Salt Lake City.

Cities: St. Louis MO, Indianapolis IN, Columbus OH, Salt Lake City UT...

Last Frost

March 30

First Fall Frost

October 25

Growing Season

209 days

2026 Monthly Planting Schedule

Your month-by-month guide for Zone 6a

1January

🌱 Indoors: Start onions, leeks, celery - 10-12 weeks

☀️ Notes: Order seeds, plan garden layout

2February

🌱 Indoors: Start tomatoes, peppers, eggplant - 8-10 weeks

☀️ Notes: Prepare indoor seed starting area

3March

🌱 Indoors: Start squash, cucumbers, melons - 4-6 weeks

🌍 Direct: Plant peas, spinach directly March 15+

☀️ Notes: Prepare beds as soil dries

4April

🌱 Indoors: Finish warm-season seedlings

🌍 Direct: Plant beans, corn, carrots directly April 15+

☀️ Notes: Transplant seedlings after April 25 frost date

5May

🌍 Direct: Succession plant lettuce, beans

☀️ Notes: Main planting month, add mulch

6June

🌱 Indoors: Start fall brassicas indoors

🌍 Direct: Plant fall crops, succession plant

☀️ Notes: Stake tomatoes, begin pest monitoring

7July

🌱 Indoors: Start fall transplants - broccoli, kale

🌍 Direct: Plant fall vegetables, lettuce

☀️ Notes: Water deeply, harvest early crops

8August

🌱 Indoors: Start fall leafy greens indoors

🌍 Direct: Plant spinach, lettuce for fall

☀️ Notes: Plant fall garden, prepare for autumn

9September

🌍 Direct: Plant garlic for next year

☀️ Notes: Harvest remaining vegetables

10October

🌱 Indoors: Order seeds for next season

☀️ Notes: Clean up beds, add cover crop

Recommended Varieties for Zone 6a

Top-performing varieties adapted to your zone

tomato

Better BoyEarly GirlCherokee PurpleBrandywine

pepper

California WonderJalapenoSweet BananaAnaheim

lettuce

ButtercrunchRomaineRed LeafSummertime

cucumber

Marketmore 76Straight EightBoston Pickling

squash

Yellow CrookneckBlack Beauty zucchiniButternut Waltham

Best Crops for Zone 6a

Top performers in your zone's climate

TomatoPepperSweet CornMelonCucumber

💡 Zone Tip: March is prime time to start seeds indoors in Zone 6a. Begin hardening off seedlings by mid-April. Plant tomatoes outdoors after April 25.

Major Cities in Zone 6a

These areas share your hardiness zone

St. Louis MOIndianapolis INColumbus OHSalt Lake City UTRichmond VACincinnati OHLouisville KY (north)

Zone 6a on the Map

Cities in your zone are highlighted. Click any marker to explore neighboring zone calendars.

Calculate Your 2026 Schedule

Neighboring Zones

Zone 5b Zone 6b Zone 7a

📖 Deep Dive Guide

Read: Complete Planting Guide for Zone 6 →

Looking for a different zone?

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