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USDA Zone 6

Moderate winters and a generous summer. A wide range of crops thrive.

Climate Overview

What to expect

  • Cold but moderate winters
  • Frost-free window of roughly 160 to 180 days
  • Last frost mid-April to early May; first frost mid-October
  • Long enough for nearly all common vegetables

What Grows Well

TomatoesPeppersEggplantBeansSquashCucumbersCornMelonsBrassicasPeasRoot cropsLettuceAll common herbs

Seeds To Stock

  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Eggplant
  • Beans
  • Squash
  • Cucumbers
  • Corn
  • Melons
  • Broccoli
  • Kale
  • Lettuce
  • Carrots
  • Beets
  • Peas
  • Onions
  • Garlic

Direct Sow Suggestions

  • Peas
  • Spinach
  • Lettuce
  • Radishes
  • Carrots
  • Beets
  • Beans
  • Corn
  • Squash

Tray Start Suggestions

  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Eggplant
  • Cucumbers
  • Squash
  • Broccoli
  • Onions

Monthly Planning

Current month is highlighted. Click any month to see the plan.

USDA Zone 6

JuneThis month

Plant Now

  • Beans (succession)
  • Cucumbers
  • Summer squash
  • Basil
  • Sunflowers

Start In Trays

  • Fall brassicas

Harvest

  • Peas
  • Lettuce
  • Spinach
  • Beets

Prepare Next

  • Succession-sow greens
  • Stake tomatoes

Common Challenges

Watch out for

  • Spring frost into early May
  • Summer heat and humidity in some areas
  • Fall frost mid-October
  • Disease pressure in wet summers

Near Anderson, Redding, or Red Bluff, California? Our local guides go a lot deeper than this zone overview.

What To Do Next

Turn zone knowledge into an actual planting plan.

Zone pages help with broad timing. The planner and growing tips list help you turn that timing into a season you can use.

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Open the Garden Planner

Use your zone as the starting point for a crop list, plant counts, and garden space planning.

Open the Garden Planner

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Local Guides

If you garden near Anderson, Redding, or Red Bluff, the local guides go deeper than zone-only advice.

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