Gardening in Zone 6

Vegetables
I.

Green Beans
a. Full Sun
b. Loamy Soil
i. Well drained but mulch to keep in moisture
ii. Water regularly, water on sunny days so foliage will not remain soaked
c. Plant after last frost
i. Min soil temp 48F
ii. Do not start indoors
d. Sow every 2 weeks for all summer harvest

II.

Bell Peppers
a. Full Sun
b. Loamy Soil
i. Well drained but maintain adequate moisture- use mulch or plastic covering
ii. Water 1-2 inches per week- water more in heat
c. Warm Season Crop
i. Temp at least 70F to germinate
ii. Soil at least 65F
iii. Start indoors 8-10 before last spring frost date
iv. Heat sensitive
d. Soli should be well drained but adequate moisture (mulch)

III.

Brussels Sprouts
a. Full Sun
b. Any soil type
c. Fall Harvest
i. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost
ii. Can direst sow seeds 4 months before first fall frost
iii. Plant seedlings 12-24 in apart
iv. Direct sow sees plant in deep and 2-3 in apart
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IV.

Carrots
a. Full sun
b. Sandy neutral soil
i. Mulch to retain moisture, speed germination and block sun
ii. Well drained and loose to prevent forking and stunting root growth
iii. Water at least 1 inch per week
iv. Carrots taste better after a couple of frosts. Following 1 st hard frost in fall, cover with 18 of
shredded leaves to preserve for harvesting later.
c. Cool season crop
i. Plant seeds outdoors 3-5 weeks before last spring frost dates
ii. Do not apply fresh or aged manure before planting seeds
iii. Plant 3-4 inches apart in rows. Rows should be at least a foot apart.

V.

Cauliflower
a. Full Sun
b. Loamy Soil
i. Requires consistent moisture
c. Cool season crop
i. Better started from transplant rather than seeds
1. Plant indoors 4-5 weeks before plants are needed
ii. Plant no sooner than 2-3 weeks before average spring frost date
1. Transplant 18-24 in apart
2. Use fertilizer when transplanting
iii. Plant fall cauliflower about same time as fall cabbage
1. When head is about 2-3 inches in diameter, tie outer leaves together over head with
rubber band, tape or twine (known as blanching) to protect from sun
2. Harvest 7 to 12 days after blanching

VI.

Cabbage
a. Full sun
b. Sandy/Loamy soil
i. Keep soil moist with mulch and water2 inches per week
c. Cool weather crop
i. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost
ii. Till in aged manure or compost to prepare soil
iii. Transplant outdoors 2-3 weeks before last expected frost date
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1. Choose a cloudy afternoon

2. Plant 12-24 apart
d. Can be grown near beans and cucumber
e. AVOID growing near broccoli, cauliflower or proximity to strawberries and tomatoes- cabbage will not
tolerate these plants
VII.

Cucumbers
a. Full Sun
b. Loamy Soil
i. When seedlings emerge, begin water frequently and increase to a gallon per week after fruit
forms
ii. Water consistently, if dry past your first finger then water.
iii. Water slowly in morning and afternoon avoiding leaves
c. Warm Season
i. Start indoors 3 weeks before transplanting
1. Like bottom heat (heating pad, top of fridge)
ii. Seed or transplant outdoors no earlier than 2 weeks after last frost date
iii. Soil must be 65F for germination
iv. Sow seeds 1in deep and 6-10 in apart
v. Transplant seedlings 12 in apart
vi. Spray vines with sugar water to attract bees and set more fruit

VIII.

Corn
a. Full Sun
b. Loamy Soil
i. Picky about soil
ii. Work in aged manure or compost the fall before planting
iii. Soil must be well drained and able to keep consistent moisture
iv. Except in very dry conditions, watering is not necessary until flowers starts
c. Warmer weather crop
i. Needs long frost free growing season
ii. Soil needs to be above 60F for successful germination
iii. Starting indoors not recommended
d. Planting
i. Seeds 1 in deep 9-12 in apart
ii. Leave 3 feet between rows
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iii. For sufficient pollination, dont plant 2 long rows rather plan corn blocks of at least 4 rows
IX.

Garlic
a. Full Sun
b. Loamy Soil
i. Water every 3-5 days during bulbing (mid may through June)
c. Frost tolerant
d. Spring planting- as soon as ground can be worked
e. Fall planting (most common)- bulbs are bigger and more flavorful when harvested the following summer
f. Place cloves 4 in apart and 2 in deep in their upright position
g. Requires adequate levels of nitrogen so fertilize accordingly

X.

Lettuce
a. Part Sun
b. Loamy soil
i. Prefers soil high in humus with plenty of compost
ii. Make sure soil remains moist but is well drained
iii. Water when leaves wilt
c. Cool season crop
i. Avoid planting middle of summer but will get multiple crops in spring and late summer
ii. Start indoors 4-6 weeks before last spring frost date for earliest crop
iii. Till in compost or organic fertilizer 1 week before transplanting
d. Leaf lettuce plant 4 in apart
e. Cos and loose-headed types plant 8 in apart
f. Firm headed types plant 16 in apart
g. Direct sowing is recommended as soon as the ground can be worked. Sow additional seeds every 2
weeks
h. Consider planting rows of chives or garlic between lettuces to control aphids.

XI.

Yellow Onions
a. Any or Loamy type of soil
i. Fertilize when bulbs begin to swell and again when a foot tall
ii. Do not need consistent watering if mulch is used.
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iii. For sweater onions, water more

iv. Well drained soil
b. Cold season crop
i. Recommended using onion sets versus seeds or transplanting
ii. Plant sets outdoors 4 weeks before last spring frost. Make sure temp doesnt go below 20F
iii. When planting onion sets, dont bury them completely under soil, if more than the bottom 1/3 of
bulb is underground, growth can be restricted.
iv. Set 5 in apart

XII.

Peas
a. Full/Part Sun
b. Loamy soil
i. Well drained, humus rich soil
ii. Dont fertilize too much, especially sensitive to too much nitorgen
c. Cool season crop
i. Turn pea planting beds over in fall adding manure and mulching well for a head start
ii. Sow outdoors 4-6 weeks before last spring frost (when soil temp reaches 45F)
1. Plant 1 in deep and 2 in apart
iii. Grow best in temps below 70F
d. Good for fixing nitrogen in the soil- making it available for other plants

XIII.

Potatoes
a. Full Sun
b. Sandy- Acidic Soil
i. Well drained, loose soil
ii. Consistent moisture
c. Cool weather crop
i. Plant seed potatoes 0-2 weeks after last spring frost
ii. Plant 1 foot apart in 4 in deep trench- eye side up

XIV.

Radishes
a. Full Sun
i. Radishes need sun, too much shade (even by neighboring plants) will result in energy used to
produce larger leaves
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b. Any soil type

i. Well drained soil with consistent moisture
c. Hardy cool season veggie
i. Can produce many crops each season due to rapid days to maturity
ii. Can be planted in both spring and fall but should be suspended in warmer months
iii. Sow seeds one week before to one week after last spring frost date (after aged manure or
organic fertilizer has been worked into soil)
iv. Direct sow inch to an inch deep and one inch apart
v. Plant consecutively every 2 weeks or so while weather is still cool for continuous harvest.
XV.

Spinach
a. Full sun to light shade
b. Loamy Neutral Soil
i. Water regularly
ii. Prepare soil with aged manure about a week before planting
iii. Should not be warmer than 70F
c. Super cold hardy veggie
i. Can be planted very early spring as well as fall and winter
ii. Not recommended transplanting due to difficulty
iii. Spring planting can be made one week before to one week after spring frost date (or as long as
soil can be worked)
1. Its important to seed as soon as you can give spinach the required 6 weeks of cool
weather from seeding to harvest
2. Successive planting should be made every couple weeks during early spring
iv. Plan mid-August for fall crop

XVI.

Squash & Zucchini

a. Full Sun
b. Loamy soil
i. Love compost and will produce better if fed.
ii. Frequent and consistent watering is recommended.
iii. Water most diligently when fruits form and throughout growth period
c. Warm (not hot) weather crop
i. Start indoors 2-4 weeks before last spring frost in peat pots
ii. DO NOT seed or transplant until soil is 55-60F.
iii. Plant 1 inch deep and 2-3 feet apart
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XVII.

Tomatoes
a. Full Sun
i. At least 6 hours
b. Loamy soil with acidic pH
i. Water generously for first few days
ii. Throughout growing season, water 2 inches per week during summer and be consistent
iii. Mulch 5 weeks after transplanting to retain moisture
iv. Fertilize 2 weeks prior to and 2 weeks after first picking
v. Two weeks before transplanting outdoors, till soil about 1 foot and mix in aged manure, compost
or fertilizer
c. Warm weather crop
i. Start seeds 6-8 weeks before average last spring frost date
ii. Transplant after last spring frost when soil is warm
iii. Plant seedlings 2 feet apart
iv. Use either cage or stakes for support
1. Pinch off lower branches (suckers) so that only a couple of stems are growing.

Fruits
I.

II.

Cantaloupe
a. Full sun
b. Loamy soil
i. Well drained
ii. Mulching with black plastic warms soil, hinders weed growth and keep developing fruits clean
iii. Fertilize when vise starts growing
iv. Water in morning and afternoon (1-2 inches per week) avoiding getting leaves wet
c. Warmer weather crop
i. Growing in raised rows hills ensures good drainage and hold the suns heat longer
ii. Start indoors a month before transplanting or if direct sowing, soil must be 65F.
iii. Plant 1 inch deep, 18 inches apart, in hills about 3 feet apart
iv. Once fruit begins to grow, prune end buds off vines. Plants will produce fewer melons bur they
will be larger and better quality.
Blackberries
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a. Full sun
b. Sandy acidic soil
i. Keep a thick layer of mulch surrounding plants all times
ii. Water 1 inch per week
c. Self-fertile
d. Plant shallowly
III.

Grapes
a. Full sun
b. Slight acidic to neutral pH, any kind of soil
c. Plant 8 feet apart in 12 inch deep holes.
d. Plant where there is good air circulation
e. Most are self-fertile
f. First couple of years, plants should NOT be allowed to produce fruit. The enables a stronger root system
to help support extra weight of fruit.
g. Pruning is important. Prune when vines are dormant- March or April. Before buds start to swell but when
winter damage is apparent.
h. Remove at least 90% of previous years growth- this makes for higher quality product
i. Second year, prune back all canes. Leave a couple of buds on each of the arms and remove flower
clusters as they form.
j. Fertilize lightly in second year of growth

IV.

Strawberries
a. Full Sun
i. 6-10 hours of direct sunlight
b. Loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH
i. Plant as soon as ground can be worked in spring
ii. Moisture is incredibly important- water adequately (1 in per week)
iii. Provide adequate space for sprawling
1. Set 20 in apart and 4 feet between rows
2. Roots shouldnt be any longer than 8 in when planted
3. First year, pick off blossoms to discourage fruiting. This creates healthier roots and better
fruit year 2.
iv. Mow or cut foliage down to 1 in when growing season is done. Mulch plants about 4 in deep with
straw, pine needles or organic matter

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V.

Watermelon
a. Full Sun
b. Sandy soil
i. Grow vines in rows (hills) for good drainage and holding the suns heat longer
ii. While growing, blooming, and setting fruit- water 1 to 2 inches per week.
1. Water in morning avoiding wetting the leaves
c. Summer fruit
i. In cooler zones, plant indoors a month before transplanting.
ii. Warmer zones seeds can be direct sowed but soil should be at least 65 degrees

http://www.almanac.com/plants/type/vegetable

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2013 Best Spring Planting Dates for Seeds for Saint

Louis, MO
Crop

Start Seeds
Indoors

Start Seeds in the Ground

Moon-favorable Dates

Beans

Apr 7-21

Apr 10-21

Beets

Mar 17-Apr 28

Mar 28-Apr 9

Mar 17-24

Mar 17-24

Mar 31-Apr 14

Apr 10-14

Mar 2-17

Mar 2- 9

Mar 31-Apr 14

Apr 10-14

Apr 21-28

Apr 21-25

Broccoli

Moon-favorable Dates

Feb 9-23

Feb 10-23

Brussels sprouts Feb 9-23

Feb 10-23

Cabbage

Feb 10-23

Feb 9-23

Carrots
Cauliflower

Feb 9-23

Feb 10-23

Celery

Feb 9-23

Feb 10-23

Corn
Cucumbers

Mar 9-24

Mar 11-24

Apr 14-21

Apr 14-21

Lettuce

Feb 23-Mar 9

Feb 23-25

Mar 31-Apr 21

Apr 10-21

Melons

Mar 9-24

Mar 11-24

Apr 21-28

Apr 21-25

Onion sets

Mar 9-17

Mar 9

Parsnips

Mar 17-Apr 7

Mar 28-Apr 7

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Peas

Feb 23-Mar 9

Feb 23-25

Apr 7-21

Apr 7- 9

Apr 14-21

Apr 14-21

Radishes

Mar 31-Apr 14

Mar 31-Apr 9

Spinach

Feb 23-Mar 9

Feb 23-25

Peppers

Feb 9-23

Feb 10-23

Potato tubers
Pumpkins

Mar 9-24

Mar 11-24

Squash, summer Mar 9-24

Mar 11-24

Apr 14-21

Apr 14-21

Squash, winter

Mar 9-24

Mar 11-24

Apr 14-21

Apr 14-21

Tomatoes

Feb 9-23

Feb 10-23

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Freeze / Frost Occurrence Data

T Spri
h ng
r Dat
e
e
s
h
o
l
d

Fall
Dat
e

Fr
ee
ze
Fr
ee
Pe
rio
d
(D
ay
s)
D Prob Pro Pr
e abili babi ob
g ty
lity ab
r Lev Lev ilit
e el 1 el 2 y
e
Le
s
ve
l3

P
r
o
b
a
b
il
i
t
y
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L
e
v
e
l
4
S 3
t 6
3
L 2
o 2
u 8
i
s

90
Mar2
7
Mar1
9
Mar0
3

10
Sep
28
Oct
13
Oct
25

10
3
213
2
230
2
258
6
1
8

Notes:
(1) Probability of later date in spring (thru Jul 31) than indicated.
(2) Probability of earlier date in fall (beginning Aug 1) than indicated.
(3) Probability of longer than indicated freeze free period.
(4) Probability of Freeze/Frost in the yearly period (percent of days with temperatures at or below the threshold temperature).

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Friend or Foe?
Friend
Foe
Beans
Beets
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Corn
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Peas
Potatoes
Radishes
Squash
Strawberries
Summer Savory
Tomatoes

Garlic
Onions
Peppers
Sunflowers

Friend
Foe
Lettuce
Asparagus
Beets
Brussels
Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Corn
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Onions
Peas
Potatoes
Radishes
Spinach
Strawberries
Sunflowers
Tomatoes

Broccoli

Friend
Foe
Tomatoes
Asparagus
Basil
Beans
Borage
Carrots
Celery
Dill
Lettuce
Melons
Onions
Parsley
Peppers
Radishes
Spinach
Thyme

Broccoli
Brussels
Sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Corn
Kale
Potatoes

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Friend

Foe
Corn

Beans
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Melons
Peas
Potatoes
Squash
Sunflowers

Tomatoes

Friend
Foe
Onions
Beets
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots
Lettuce
Peppers
Potatoes
Spinach
Tomatoes

Beans
Peas
Sage

Friend
Foe
Cucumbers
Beans
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Corn
Lettuce
Peas
Radishes
Sunflowers

Aromatic herbs
Melons
Potatoes

Friend
Foe
Peppers

Friend
Foe
Cabbage

Friend
Foe
Carrots

Basil
Coriander
Onions
Spinach
Tomatoes

Beans
Celery
Cucumbers
Dill
Kale
Lettuce
Onions
Potatoes
Sage
Spinach
Thyme

Beans
Lettuce
Onions
Peas
Radishes
Rosemary
Sage
Tomatoes

Beans
Kohlrabi

Broccoli
Cauliflower
Strawberries
Tomatoes

Friend

Anise
Dill
Parsley

Foe
Radishes

Basil
Coriander
Onions

Beans
Kohlrabi

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Spinach
Tomatoes

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