ZONE 6
Covering a broad swath of the country from parts of the Northwest and Northern California through the Rocky Mountain States, down through the South and Southwest and all the way up to parts of New York, Zone 6 is a great environment for veggie gardens. Because of its medium-length growing season from May to November and annual average minimum temperature of -5ºF, it can accommodate a wide range of varieties from cold hardy to tender, sun-loving plants (which even includes some succulents!).
If you’re looking to get an early start, you can skip indoor seedlings and go straight to outdoor planting by covering veggie starts with our Easy Micromesh Tunnel to protect new growth from lingering spring frosts. Whatever you’re planning for your garden, you can start digging in with our Garden Tool Sets, perfect for a variety of projects and plantings.
States in Zone 6: Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts
SPRING
Once the last threat of frost has passed in mid-May, there are plenty of veggies that can go directly into the ground to supplement any indoor seedling starts. Spring’s also an ideal season to get fruit trees and perennial flowers started as the warmer weather fosters growth while roots are established.
Recommended Plants:
Vegetables & Herbs
- Asparagus
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Celery
- Cabbage
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Kohlrabi
- Kale
- Peas
- Potatoes
- Rhubarb
- Spinach
- Garlic
- Onions
- Cilantro
- English Thyme
Fruits & Berries
- Strawberries
- Hardy Kiwis
- Peach Trees
Flowers
- Bluebells
- Lentin Rose (Helleborus)
- Tulips
- Daffodils
- Pansies
- Lilies
- Iris
- Peonies
- Creeping Phlox
- Violets
- Fuchsia
Trees & Shrubs
- Forsythia Bush
- Red Bud
- Dogwood
- Magnolia
- Poplar
- Arborvitae
- Boxwood
- Japanese Maple
- Paper Birch
- Lilac
- Japanese Lilac
- Redbud Trees
SUMMER
Now’s the time to get sun-loving veggies with a shorter incubation period into the warmer soil in preparation for a fall harvest. Supplement your summer color with vibrant annuals from the nursery or plant a hardy succulent garden that can withstand the colder month temperatures.
Recommended Plants:
Vegetables & Herbs
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Onion
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Cucumber
- Squash
- Pumpkin
- Corn
- Pole/Bush Beans
- Eggplant
- Carrots
- Kale
- Zucchini
- Chives
- Rosemary
- Parsley
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Thyme
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Peas
- Squash
- Rutabaga
Fruits & Berries
- Strawberries
- Raspberry
- Blueberry
- Blackberry
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Apple
- Cherry
- Pear
- Peach
- Black Mulberry
Flowers
- Impatients
- Geraniums
- Petunias
- Day Lilies
- Cone Flower
- Marigolds
- Hosta
- Sedum
- Fern
- Daisies
- Roses
- Dahlias
- Salvia
- Clematis
- Lavender
- Sunflower
- Hibiscus
- Ornamental Kale
- Violets
- Roses
- Honeysuckle
- Morning Glory
- Snap Dragon
- Columbine
- Poppies
- Hollyhocks
- Hens-and-Chicks
- Foxgloves
Trees & Shrubs
- Butterfly Bush
- Rose
- Hydrangea
- Arborvitae
- Boxwood
- Japanese Maple
- Oak
- Maple
- Elm
- Sycamore
- Tulip Tree
- Fringe Tree
FALL
Many quick-growing root veggies and leafy greens flourish in cooler temperatures and survive initial frosts come harvest time, so go ahead and plant a second wave come September. Anticipate a colorful upcoming spring by getting perennial flower bulbs and flower bushes in the ground now, too.
Recommended Plants:
Vegetables & Herbs
- Spinach
- Lettuces
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Leeks
- Radishes
- Mustard Greens
- Turnips
- Collard Greens
- Parsnips
- Rosemary
Fruits & Berries
- Strawberries
- Raspberry
- Blueberry
- Blackberry
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Apple
- Cherry
- Pear
- Peach
- Gooseberry
Flowers
- Chrysanthemum
- Aster
- Spring Bulb Planting
- Fall Crocus
- Helenium
- Japanese Anemone
- Peonies
- Astilbe
Trees & Shrubs
- Maple
- Ginko
- Red Maple
- Burning Bush
- Boxwood
- Fringe Tree
- Witch Hazel Shrub
- Tulip Trees
WINTER
Winters in Zone 6 still get plenty cold, so it’s not the best time for planting but rather protecting what’s already there by covering roots with mulch and sheltering vulnerable foliage.
Recommended Plants:
Vegetables & Herbs (Under Cold Frame)
- Spinach
- Lettuces
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Leeks
- Radishes
- Turnips
- Mustard Greens
- Collard Greens
- Parsnips
- Rosemary
Fruits & Berries
- Winters in this zone are typically too cold for fruits and berries
Flowers
- Winter Aconite
- Snow Drops
- Crocus
- Lentin Rose (Helleborus)
- Ornamental Kale
Trees & Shrubs
- Boxwood
- Blue Spruce
- Arborvitae
- Pine