Zone 6 Planting Guide
Complete 2026 seed starting calendar for Zone 6a and Zone 6b
Published June 24, 2025
Zone 6 covers a wide swath of the central and mid-Atlantic United States, including parts of Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, and New Mexico. With a last frost date ranging from late March to early April and a generous growing season of 200–224 days, Zone 6 is one of the most productive zones in the country.
When to Start Seeds in Zone 6
🌱 Spring Frost Window
Zone 6a: Last frost around March 30. Zone 6b: Last frost around March 22.
🏠 Indoor Seed Starting
Start tomatoes and peppers indoors in late January to early February. Broccoli and cabbage can begin in late December for very early spring transplanting.
🌾 Direct Sow Outdoors
Direct sow peas, spinach, and radishes outdoors in late February or early March — 4–5 weeks before last frost. Beans and corn go in after last frost in mid-April.
🍂 Fall Garden
Zone 6 gardeners can squeeze in a productive fall garden. Sow broccoli, kale, and spinach in late July to harvest through October and November.
Best Tomato Varieties for Zone 6
Zone 6's 200–224 day growing season gives you plenty of options for tomatoes, but choosing the right varieties makes the difference between a good harvest and a great one. Here are our top recommendations:
🍅 Celebrity (Determinate, 70 days)
A proven performer in Zone 6. Celebrity is disease-resistant, produces reliably in cooler spring weather, and sets fruit before summer heat peaks. Perfect for gardeners who want a midsummer harvest without fuss.
🥫 San Marzano (Indeterminate, 80 days)
The classic paste tomato thrives in Zone 6's warm summers. Start seeds indoors in early February and transplant after last frost. The fruit ripens steadily from August through the first frost, giving you ample time for canning and sauces.
🍒 Sun Gold (Indeterminate, 65 days)
This cherry tomato is exceptionally early and productive. Sun Gold produces sweet, orange fruit from July well into October in Zone 6. Its early maturity means you get a payoff even if the season is cooler than average.
🥩 Brandywine (Indeterminate, 85 days)
For heirloom lovers, Brandywine is the gold standard. It needs every day of Zone 6's long season to reach full flavor. Start seeds by late January and use black plastic mulch to warm the soil for the best results.
🌿 Early Girl (Indeterminate, 55 days)
When you want tomatoes as early as possible in Zone 6, Early Girl is unbeatable. It sets fruit in cool weather and produces the first ripe tomatoes of the season, often by early July.