Zone 6 Planting Calendar - Urban Farmer Seeds (2024)

FAQs

When should I start seeds indoors zone 6? ›

Q1: What is the best time to start seeds indoors in Zone 6? The optimal time to start seeds indoors largely depends on the specific plant variety. However, as a general rule, we recommend starting most seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.

May. May is the month that Zone 6 has its average last frost. After the last frost date it is generally considered safe to plant tender seedlings outdoors.

In more temperate areas (zones 6 and lower), zucchini is grown as a summer crop, usually planted in May.

Go Ahead — Start from Seed

A good target date for transplant-ready tomato plants is 6 weeks ahead of the usual last-frost date. In Zone 6, for example, that means planting out at the beginning of April instead of mid-May.

Sow seeds early in the morning so the water has enough time to permeate the soil and get warm throughout the day. You can do it in the evening but make sure the seed flats stay warm overnight. Keep sown seeds away from direct sunlight and keep at a temperature of 75F-90F degrees—double check for specific seeds.

Actually, different types of seeds should be started at different times, and some do best when sown directly into the garden, rather than starting them indoors. Beans are best planted directly into the garden, once the weather has warmed up. As you've seen, they are fast growers.

In zones 6 and colder, plant June-bearing strawberries in early spring. For the first year, remove any flowers so the plant can put more energy into growing runners and establish a mat of healthy plants with lots of berries in the next year.

Even if the last thing you're thinking about in January or February is the garden, it's actually a great time to start seeds indoors for frost-hardy leafy greens and for slow-to-get-started herbs.

Zone 6a has an average minimum temperature of negative five to negative ten degrees Fahrenheit. Zone 6b experiences minimum temperatures of zero to negative five degrees Fahrenheit.

When to plant cucumbers? ›

Cucumbers grow best in warm weather. Start seeds indoors in late April for transplants. Sow seed directly in the garden after soil has warmed, usually in May. Plastic mulch and row covers allow earlier planting.

To start peppers indoors in pots, sow seeds 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost date. Plant pepper starts or transplants outdoors about 2 to 3 weeks after the threat of frost has passed and the soil has reached 65°F (18°C).

Those who live in hot climates—Zones 8 or 9, for example—may be able start seeds as early as December. Northern gardeners, like those who grow in Zones 3 or 4, should wait until March or April to start most seeds, depending on the plant's germination period.

But, starting your seeds too soon is still a problem. How? Seeds sown too early will result in bigger plants which then need to be potted up into bigger containers which quickly take over your seed starting area/house and cost you more money is potting soil, organic fertilizer and pots.

Planting: Plant zinnias in spring after all danger of frost has passed, around the same time you'd plant tomatoes. Zinnias are easy to grow directly-seeded into the garden. For sooner blooms, start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost date.