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Fertilizer Schedule for USDA Zone 6

USDA Zone 6 covers areas with minimum winter temperatures of -10°F to 0°F. The growing season runs from April through October, with fertilizer applications from April through October.

Zone 6 Quick Facts

Temperature Range-10°F to 0°F
Average Last FrostApril 15
Average First FrostOctober 15
Fertilizer SeasonApril to October

Lawn Fertilizer Schedule for Zone 6

Zone 6 lawns receive their first application in April and their last by October. Cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass) and warm-season grasses (bermuda, zoysia) follow different NPK ratios at each application.

MonthActionNPK
AprilSpring green-up fertilizer
20N
5P
10K
N 20% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth
P 5% Phosphorus: roots and flowers
K 10% Potassium: health and disease resistance
Learn more about NPK
MayLate spring application
20N
0P
5K
N 20% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth
P 0% Phosphorus: roots and flowers
K 5% Potassium: health and disease resistance
Learn more about NPK
SeptemberEarly fall recovery application
15N
5P
10K
N 15% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth
P 5% Phosphorus: roots and flowers
K 10% Potassium: health and disease resistance
Learn more about NPK
OctoberFall winterizer
10N
10P
10K
N 10% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth
P 10% Phosphorus: roots and flowers
K 10% Potassium: health and disease resistance
Learn more about NPK

Garden Fertilizer Schedule for Zone 6

With a last frost around April 15 and first frost around October 15, zone 6 gardens have a 7-month window for fertilizer applications.

MonthActionNPK
AprilPrepare garden beds with balanced fertilizer
10N
10P
10K
N 10% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth
P 10% Phosphorus: roots and flowers
K 10% Potassium: health and disease resistance
Learn more about NPK
MayFeed transplants and direct-seeded crops
5N
10P
5K
N 5% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth
P 10% Phosphorus: roots and flowers
K 5% Potassium: health and disease resistance
Learn more about NPK
JuneSide-dress tomatoes, peppers, squash
5N
10P
10K
N 5% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth
P 10% Phosphorus: roots and flowers
K 10% Potassium: health and disease resistance
Learn more about NPK
JulyMid-season feeding for heavy producers
5N
10P
10K
N 5% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth
P 10% Phosphorus: roots and flowers
K 10% Potassium: health and disease resistance
Learn more about NPK
SeptemberFeed fall crops (broccoli, kale, lettuce)
10N
10P
10K
N 10% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth
P 10% Phosphorus: roots and flowers
K 10% Potassium: health and disease resistance
Learn more about NPK

States in Zone 6

13 states contain areas classified as zone 6. Your specific location within a state may fall in a different zone based on elevation and proximity to water.

VirginiaKentuckyTennesseeNorth CarolinaMissouriKansasMarylandDelawareNew JerseyConnecticutRhode IslandOregonWashington

Source:USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map