Spring Planting Guide for Zone 6B

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What to Plant in April & May (With Dates, Spacing, Depth + Pro Tips) Zone 6B Spring Planting Guide

If you’ve ever planted everything during the first warm week in April—only to panic when temperatures drop back into the 30s—you’re not alone.

Spring gardening in Zone 6B is a dance between optimism and restraint. The sunshine returns, the soil starts to wake up, and suddenly you’re ready to plant everything… but timing is what separates a thriving garden from one that struggles.

This guide will walk you through:

What to plant in April vs. May (with real dates)
Exactly how deep and far apart to plant seeds
How to use your last frost date
And the small decisions that quietly lead to a more productive garden

Once you’ve determined what to plant when, check out my Raised Bed Vegetable Garden Plan for design and layout ideas.

Just starting out? Get all the essential gardening supplies you need here!

Spring Planting Guide Vegetables for Zone 6B

Table of Contents

Understanding Your Last Frost Date (Your Garden’s Timeline Anchor)

In Zone 6B, the average last frost date falls between May 10–15. But experienced gardeners know this isn’t a guarantee—it’s a guideline.

Some years, you’ll be safe early. Other years, a late frost will remind you why patience matters.

That’s why I personally approach it like this:

May 10–15 = baseline
Add a 1-week buffer for sensitive crops
Always check the 10-day forecast

There’s something grounding about waiting just a little longer than you want to. Gardening rewards restraint more than urgency.

Get your free printable planting schedule here: How to Make a Succession Garden Schedule.

What to Plant in April (Zone 6B)

April is for the resilient crops—the ones that thrive in cool soil and don’t flinch at a light frost. This is the season of leafy greens, root vegetables, and foundational crops that set the tone for your entire garden.

To maximize your garden’s productivity, start cold-sensitive plants from seed indoors and practice succession planting techniques. And remember, your produce is only as good as your soil.

Direct Sow Outdoors (April 1–30)

Spinach

April 1–20
Depth: ½ inch
Spacing: 2–4 inches

Lettuce (leaf & head)

April 1–25
Depth: ¼ inch
Spacing: 6–12 inches

Kale

April 1–20
Depth: ½ inch
Spacing: 12–18 inches

Arugula

April 1–25
Depth: ¼ inch
Spacing: 4–6 inches

Peas (snap/snow)

April 1–15
Depth: 1 inch
Spacing: 2 inches

Carrots

April 5–25
Depth: ¼ inch
Spacing: 2–3 inches

Beets

April 5–25
Depth: ½ inch
Spacing: 3–4 inches

Radishes

April 1–30
Depth: ½ inch
Spacing: 2 inches

Turnips

April 5–25
Depth: ½ inch
Spacing: 3–4 inches

Potatoes (Early Spring Staple)

Potatoes are one of the most rewarding crops you can grow—and they love the cool conditions of April.

April 1–25
Depth: 3–4 inches (hill as they grow)
Spacing: 10–12 inches

Planting potatoes early gives them a head start before summer heat sets in, and hilling them throughout the season increases your yield significantly.

Brassicas (Don’t Skip These)

This is where a lot of gardens go wrong—people wait too long. Brassicas thrive in spring and struggle in summer heat.

Broccoli

Transplant: April 15–May 10
Depth: ¼–½ inch
Spacing: 18 inches

Cabbage

Transplant: April 15–May 10
Depth: ¼ inch
Spacing: 18–24 inches

Brussels Sprouts

Transplant: April 20–May 15
Depth: ¼ inch
Spacing: 18–24 inches

Cauliflower

Transplant: April 15–May 10
Depth: ¼ inch
Spacing: 18 inches

Kohlrabi

April 1–25
Depth: ¼ inch
Spacing: 6–8 inches

These crops quietly build some of the most nutrient-dense food you can grow.

green and red plants on black pots Spring Planting Guide for Zone 6B

Onions & Early Alliums

Onions (sets or transplants)

April 1–20
Depth: 1 inch
Spacing: 4–6 inches

Leeks

Transplant: April 15–May 10
Depth: ½ inch
Spacing: 6 inches

These are foundational crops—simple, reliable, and incredibly useful in the kitchen.

Herbs to Plant in April

Cilantro

April 1–25
Depth: ¼–½ inch
Spacing: 6 inches

Parsley

April 1–20
Depth: ¼ inch
Spacing: 6–8 inches

Chives

April 1–20
Depth: ¼ inch
Spacing: 6 inches

Cool-weather herbs establish best now before summer stress hits.

Starting Indoors in April

If you’re a little behind, this is your catch-up window:

Tomatoes: April 1–15 (¼ inch deep)
Peppers: April 1–10 (¼ inch)
Eggplant: April 1–10
Basil: April 10–20

What to Plant in May (Zone 6B)

May is when your garden shifts from cautious to abundant. Once frost risk passes, you can plant the crops most people think of when they picture a summer garden.

Need help deciding which seeds to choose? Read about the difference between heirloom varieties vs Hybrid and GMO!