What is the last frost date for Zone 6b?

The average last spring frost date for Zone 6b is approximately Apr 10. Always check your specific ZIP code for local variations.

What vegetables grow best in Zone 6b?

Top vegetables for Zone 6b include: Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Cucumbers, Squash.

How long is the growing season in Zone 6b?

Zone 6b has an average growing season of approximately 193 days, from last frost around Apr 10 to first fall frost around Oct 20.

Zone 6b Gardening Guide

Everything you need to grow a thriving garden in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b — Mid-Atlantic / Midwest. Frost dates, planting calendar, and the best plants for your climate.

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Last Spring Frost

Apr 10

Average date

First Fall Frost

Oct 20

Average date

Growing Season

193 days

Frost-free window

Min Winter Temp

-5 to 0°F

USDA 2023

What Is Zone 6b?

USDA Hardiness Zone 6b covers Mid-Atlantic / Midwest, including cities like Baltimore, MD · Louisville, KY · Pittsburgh, PA. The zone experiences minimum winter temperatures between -5 to 0°F, which determines which perennials and woody plants survive winter outdoors.

With a growing season of 193 days, Zone 6b gardeners need to be strategic about timing to maximize harvests. The key is aligning your planting schedule with the frost window.

Pro tip: Your exact ZIP code matters. Zone 6b spans a range of microclimates — elevation, urban heat islands, and proximity to water can shift your personal frost dates by 1–3 weeks. Cloche uses your ZIP to give you precise, location-specific recommendations.

Best Vegetables for Zone 6b

These vegetables thrive in Zone 6b's climate and growing season length:

Vegetable	Start Seeds Indoors	Transplant Outside	Harvest Window
Tomatoes	Jan 25 – Feb 15	Apr 10–25	June–Nov
Peppers	Jan 25 – Feb 15	Apr 10–25	June–Nov
Eggplant	Jan 25 – Feb 15	Apr 10–25	June–Nov
Cucumbers	Jan 25 – Feb 15	Apr 10–25	June–Nov
Squash	Jan 25 – Feb 15	Apr 10–25	June–Nov
Beans	Jan 25 – Feb 15	Apr 10–25	June–Nov
Sweet Corn	Jan 25 – Feb 15	Apr 10–25	June–Nov
Okra	Jan 25 – Feb 15	Apr 10–25	June–Nov

Top Plants This Season

🍅Tomatoes 🫑Peppers 🍆Eggplant 🥒Cucumbers 🎃Squash 🫘Beans 🌿Sweet Corn 🌿Okra

Flowers for Zone 6b

These flowering plants are proven performers in Zone 6b:

Zinnias
Coneflower
Lavender
Daylily
Rudbeckia
Salvia

Herbs for Zone 6b

Grow these herbs successfully in Zone 6b:

Basil
Rosemary
Thyme
Sage
Oregano
Lavender
Cilantro

Planting Calendar for Zone 6b

Activity	When
Start seeds indoors	Jan 25 – Feb 15
Transplant warm-season crops	Apr 10–25
Direct sow warm-season crops	Apr 10–25
Harvest window	June–Nov
Last frost (average)	Apr 10
First fall frost (average)	Oct 20

Browse All Zones

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Your Zone 6b Garden, Personalized

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