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 varietals 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
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
Fruits & Berries
Flowers
Trees & Shrubs
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
Fruits & Berries
Flowers
Trees & Shrubs
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
Fruits & Berries
Flowers
Trees & Shrubs
Winters in Zone 6 still get plenty cold, so it’s not a good time for planting but rather protecting what’s already there by covering roots with mulch and sheltering vulnerable foliage.