Zone 6b Planting Calendar 2026Complete Seed Starting Schedule
Zone 6b has a long, productive 220+ day growing season. The mild climate supports multiple succession plantings and allows warm-season crops to reach full maturity with ease. Includes Philadelphia, Detroit, Boston suburbs, and Louisville.
Last Frost
March 22
First Fall Frost
November 1
Growing Season
224 days
2026 Monthly Planting Schedule
Your month-by-month guide for Zone 6b
1January
🌱 Indoors: Start early crops indoors
☀️ Notes: Plan garden, order seeds
2February
🌱 Indoors: Start main season crops
🌍 Direct: Cold hardy crops direct sow
☀️ Notes: Prepare soil when workable
3March
🌱 Indoors: Continue seed starting
🌍 Direct: Direct sow cool season
☀️ Notes: Prepare beds
4April
🌱 Indoors: Finish warm season indoors
🌍 Direct: Direct sow beans, corn
☀️ Notes: Main transplant month
5May
🌍 Direct: Succession plant
☀️ Notes: Plant out all seedlings
6June
🌱 Indoors: Start fall crops
🌍 Direct: Plant fall vegetables
☀️ Notes: Maintain and water
7July
🌱 Indoors: Fall transplant seedlings
🌍 Direct: Plant fall crops
☀️ Notes: Begin fall planning
8August
🌍 Direct: Plant fall greens
☀️ Notes: Fall garden planting
9September
🌍 Direct: Plant garlic
☀️ Notes: Fall planting continues
10October
🌱 Indoors: Order seeds
☀️ Notes: Clean up, prepare winter
Recommended Varieties for Zone 6b
Top-performing varieties adapted to your zone
tomato
pepper
lettuce
cucumber
squash
Best Crops for Zone 6b
Top performers in your zone's climate
💡 Zone Tip: You can direct sow peas and spinach outdoors as early as late February in Zone 6b. Start tomatoes indoors by mid-February.
Major Cities in Zone 6b
These areas share your hardiness zone
Zone 6b on the Map
Cities in your zone are highlighted. Click any marker to explore neighboring zone calendars.
Calculate Your 2026 Schedule
📖 Deep Dive Guide
Read: Complete Planting Guide for Zone 6 →Looking for a different zone?
Browse All 17 USDA Hardiness Zones →