What to plant this week in Zone 6b
With average last frost on April 21 and temperatures dipping to -5°F, Zone 6b is in full swing for harvesting warm-season crops like zucchini, tomatoes, and beans. Focus your energy on picking soon-to-ready produce while preparing for the final fall harvest before October 24.
The next 7 days
Sample: Buffalo, NYToday
9/6
76°
58°
Mon
9/7
76°
54°
Tue
9/8
80°
55°
Wed
9/9
72°
67°
💧52%
Thu
9/10
75°
60°
💧42%
Fri
9/11
69°
52°
Sat
9/12
74°
54°
💧13%
Avg high 75°F
Rain total 1"
Humidity 68%
Wind 6.5 mph
In the ground
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Move out
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Coming ripe
Harvest soon
45 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Leek
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsnip
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Do this now
Seasonal tips
- Keep a close eye on pollinator-friendly flowers like Cosmos and Zinnia to ensure good seed set.
- Harvest bush beans and cucumbers frequently to encourage continued production throughout summer.
- Protect young transplants from late spring chill with row covers if an unexpected cold snap occurs.
- Plan succession sowing for cool-season crops now so they are ready as the weather cools in October.
Keep watch
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for cucumber beetles on cantaloupe, cucumbers, and melons.
- Check basil and sunflowers for aphids or spider mites.
- Inspect squash plants for squash vine borer damage near the soil line.
Water
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to reduce evaporation and prevent fungal issues on leafy greens.
One more thing
Save seeds from your best-performing varieties like French Marigold and Zinnia to start your next season's garden early.
All year
Zone 6b planting calendar
152 cropsAverage planting and harvest windows for everything that grows in zone 6b — dates shift a week or two with the season, so treat them as a starting point and check the weekly guide above for what's open right now.
- Start indoors
- Sow outdoors
- Transplant
- Harvest
Vegetables 70
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim (New Mexico) Pepper | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 19 – Aug 7 | 78d | |
| Artichoke | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | 165d | |
| Arugula | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | — | Apr 23 – Jun 14 | 35d | |
| Asparagus | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Banana Pepper | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 9 – Aug 7 | 73d | |
| Beefsteak Tomato | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jul 17 – Aug 15 | 88d | |
| Beet | — | Mar 24 – May 19 | — | May 13 – Jul 28 | 60d | |
| Bell Pepper | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 4 – Aug 17 | 75d | |
| Bok Choy | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | — | May 17 – Jun 24 | 45d | |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Jun 1 – Jun 30 | 63d | |
| Brussels Sprouts | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jul 20 – Aug 23 | 100d | |
| Bush Bean | — | Apr 28 – Aug 11 | — | Jun 17 – Oct 10 | 55d | |
| Cabbage | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Jun 16 – Jul 20 | 80d | |
| Carrot | — | Mar 31 – May 19 | — | May 30 – Aug 7 | 70d | |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jun 15 – Jul 19 | 65d | |
| Cayenne Pepper | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 14 – Aug 7 | 75d | |
| Celery | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jul 30 – Sep 12 | 115d | |
| Cherry Tomato | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jun 22 – Jul 21 | 63d | |
| Collard Greens | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jun 1 – Jul 19 | 65d | |
| Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea) | — | May 5 – Jul 12 | — | Jul 4 – Oct 10 | 75d | |
| Cucumber | — | May 5 – Aug 6 | May 5 – May 19 | Jun 24 – Oct 10 | 58d | |
| Edamame | — | May 5 – Jul 12 | — | Jul 19 – Oct 10 | 83d | |
| Eggplant | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 9 – Aug 12 | 75d | |
| Fava (Broad) Bean | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | — | May 19 – Jul 16 | 85d | |
| Flour Corn | — | Apr 28 – Jun 12 | — | Jul 27 – Oct 10 | 105d | |
| Garden Pea | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | — | May 4 – Jun 16 | 63d | |
| Garlic | — | Sep 26 – Nov 7 | — | May 24 – Nov 14 | 255d | |
| Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 13 – Sep 16 | 110d | |
| Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle) | — | May 5 – Jun 12 | — | Aug 13 – Oct 10 | 110d | |
| Habanero Pepper | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 3 – Aug 27 | 95d | |
| Jalapeño | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 9 – Aug 12 | 75d | |
| Kale | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 7 – May 5 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | May 27 – Jul 9 | 58d | |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | — | May 3 – Jun 15 | 48d | |
| Leek | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jul 30 – Sep 2 | 110d | |
| Lettuce | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 24 – May 5 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | May 8 – Jul 4 | 53d | |
| Lima Bean | — | May 5 – Jul 12 | — | Jul 9 – Oct 10 | 78d | |
| Loofah (Luffa) | — | May 5 – Jun 2 | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 3 – Oct 30 | 120d | |
| Malabar Spinach | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 5 – Aug 1 | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 4 – Oct 10 | 65d | |
| Marconi Pepper | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 19 – Aug 12 | 80d | |
| Mustard Greens | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | — | Apr 28 – Jun 19 | 40d | |
| Napa Cabbage | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | May 27 – Jul 10 | 65d | |
| Okra | — | May 12 – Aug 6 | May 12 – May 26 | Jul 6 – Oct 10 | 60d | |
| Onion | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Jun 22 – Jul 26 | 100d | |
| Parsnip | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | — | Jul 16 – Sep 2 | 110d | |
| Poblano Pepper | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 9 – Aug 7 | 73d | |
| Pole Bean | — | Apr 28 – Aug 1 | — | Jun 27 – Oct 10 | 65d | |
| Potato | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | — | Jun 16 – Sep 2 | 95d | |
| Pumpkin | — | May 5 – Jun 12 | — | Aug 8 – Oct 10 | 108d | |
| Radish | — | Mar 24 – May 19 | — | Apr 15 – Jun 18 | 26d | |
| Rhubarb | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Roma Tomato | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jul 7 – Jul 31 | 75d | |
| Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus) | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | May 12 – May 26 | Aug 20 – Oct 30 | 125d | |
| Rutabaga | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | — | Jul 6 – Aug 13 | 95d | |
| Scallion (Bunching Onion) | — | Mar 24 – May 19 | — | May 23 – Jul 28 | 65d | |
| Scarlet Runner Bean | — | Apr 28 – Aug 1 | — | Jun 27 – Oct 10 | 65d | |
| Serrano Pepper | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 19 – Aug 7 | 78d | |
| Shallot | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Jun 22 – Jul 16 | 95d | |
| Shishito Pepper | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Jun 29 – Jul 23 | 60d | |
| Snow Pea | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | — | May 9 – Jun 16 | 65d | |
| Spinach | — | Mar 10 – Apr 21 | — | Apr 14 – Jun 5 | 40d | |
| Sugar Snap Pea | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | — | May 4 – Jun 11 | 60d | |
| Sweet Corn | — | Apr 28 – Jul 12 | — | Jul 2 – Oct 10 | 78d | |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | May 5 – Jun 2 | Aug 3 – Sep 30 | 105d | |
| Swiss Chard | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | — | May 27 – Jul 18 | 55d | |
| Tomatillo | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jul 12 – Aug 20 | 88d | |
| Tomato | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jun 27 – Aug 5 | 73d | |
| Turnip | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | — | May 3 – Jul 4 | 50d | |
| Winter Squash | — | May 5 – Jun 22 | — | Aug 3 – Oct 10 | 100d | |
| Yellow Summer Squash | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 5 – Aug 16 | May 5 – May 19 | Jun 19 – Oct 10 | 50d | |
| Zucchini | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 5 – Aug 16 | May 5 – May 19 | Jun 19 – Oct 10 | 50d |
Herbs 20
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anise Hyssop | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Basil | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 5 – Aug 1 | May 5 – May 19 | Jun 24 – Oct 10 | 60d | |
| Chervil | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | — | May 22 – Jul 4 | 53d | |
| Chives | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – May 5 | — | 75d | |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | — | May 17 – Jun 29 | 48d | |
| Dill | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | — | May 17 – Jul 13 | 48d | |
| Fennel | — | Apr 21 – Jul 12 | — | Jun 25 – Oct 10 | 78d | |
| French Tarragon | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 85d | |
| German Chamomile | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | — | Jun 6 – Jul 9 | 63d | |
| Ginger | — | — | May 19 – Jun 16 | — | 270d | |
| Lemon Balm | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 80d | |
| Lemongrass | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 105d | |
| Mint | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 75d | |
| Oregano | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 85d | |
| Parsley | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Jun 16 – Aug 3 | 80d | |
| Sage | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 83d | |
| Shiso (Japanese Basil) | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – Jul 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jul 7 – Oct 10 | 78d | |
| Summer Savory | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 5 – Aug 1 | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 4 – Oct 10 | 65d | |
| Thai Basil | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 5 – Jul 27 | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 4 – Oct 10 | 68d | |
| Thyme | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 135d |
Fruits 25
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almond | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | — | 3.5 yr | |
| Apple | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | — | 3.5 yr | |
| Apricot | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | — | 3.5 yr | |
| Black Walnut | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | — | 4.5 yr | |
| Blackberry | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | — | 1.2 yr | |
| Blueberry | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 5 – Jul 12 | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 14 – Oct 10 | 80d | |
| Cranberry | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Elderberry | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| English (Persian) Walnut | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | — | 4.5 yr | |
| Gooseberry | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Grape | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Ground Cherry | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jul 2 – Jul 26 | 70d | |
| Honeyberry (Haskap) | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Honeydew Melon | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 5 – Jul 2 | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 24 – Oct 10 | 90d | |
| Peach | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Pear | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | — | 3.5 yr | |
| Pecan | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | — | 4.5 yr | |
| Plum | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | — | 3.5 yr | |
| Raspberry | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | — | 1.2 yr | |
| Red/Black Currant | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Strawberry | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | — | 243d | |
| Sweet Cherry | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | — | 3.5 yr | |
| Tart (Pie) Cherry | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | — | 3.5 yr | |
| Watermelon | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 5 – Jul 7 | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 19 – Oct 10 | 85d |
Flowers 37
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Button (Cornflower) | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | — | May 28 – Jul 14 | 68d | |
| Bee Balm | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Black-Eyed Susan | — | Apr 21 – Jun 12 | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 110d | |
| Borage | — | Apr 21 – Aug 1 | — | Jun 15 – Oct 10 | 63d | |
| Butterfly Milkweed | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Calendula | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | — | May 22 – Jul 4 | 53d | |
| Cleome (Spider Flower) | — | Apr 28 – Jul 27 | — | Jun 22 – Oct 10 | 65d | |
| Cosmos | — | Apr 28 – Jul 12 | — | Jun 27 – Oct 10 | 75d | |
| Dahlia | — | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jul 27 – Sep 9 | 105d | |
| Delphinium | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| French Marigold | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – Aug 11 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jun 12 – Oct 10 | 53d | |
| Garden Geranium (Zonal) | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jul 7 – Aug 10 | 80d | |
| Garden Phlox | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Garden Rose (Shrub) | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Garden Verbena | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – Jul 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jul 7 – Oct 10 | 80d | |
| Hardy Hibiscus | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Hearts & Flowers (Heartleaf Iceplant) | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | — | 75d | |
| Hollyhock | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Lantana | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jul 7 – Aug 10 | 80d | |
| Lavender | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian) | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 13 – Sep 16 | 110d | |
| Nasturtium | — | Apr 28 – Aug 6 | — | Jun 17 – Oct 10 | 58d | |
| New England Aster | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Oriental Poppy | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine | — | — | May 5 – Jun 2 | Jul 4 – Aug 31 | 75d | |
| Panicle Hydrangea | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Pansy | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Jun 2 – Jul 6 | 80d | |
| Petunia | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jul 7 – Aug 10 | 80d | |
| Purple Coneflower | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Salvia | — | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | 110d | |
| Sedum ('Autumn Joy'-type) | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Snapdragon | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Jun 26 – Jul 30 | 90d | |
| Sunflower | — | Apr 28 – Jul 2 | — | Jul 7 – Oct 10 | 85d | |
| Sweet Alyssum | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | May 27 – Jul 4 | 55d | |
| Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Apr 28 – Jul 27 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jun 27 – Oct 10 | 68d | |
| Yarrow | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | — | 135d | |
| Zinnia | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Apr 28 – Jul 27 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jun 27 – Oct 10 | 68d |
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