Zone 6 · Herbs Growing Guide

When to Plant Rosemary
in Zone 6

Mediterranean perennial that becomes a large evergreen shrub. Extremely drought-tolerant once established. Slow from seed — buy a plant instead. Hardy to about 10°F.

Plant outdoors
Mar 15 – May 1
Start indoors
Direct sow
Last Frost
~Apr 1
Days to harvest
80–100 days
Difficulty
Medium
Growing — Zone 6
Harvest window: Apr – Dec

Planting Calendar

In Zone 6, Rosemary should be planted outdoors Mar 15 – May 1, after the average last frost date of approximately Apr 1.

Perennial in most Zone 6 locations. Well-drained soil prevents winter root rot.

Care Guide

Sunlight
Full sun · 6–8 hrs/day
Watering
Low
Spacing
24–36 inches
Soil
Sandy, well-draining, low fertility
Days to maturity
80–100 days
Soil pH
6.0–8.0
plant tip · Zone 6

Perennial in most Zone 6 locations. Well-drained soil prevents winter root rot.

Feeding Schedule

How often
once a season
Feed type
balanced (10-10-10)
Key timing
early spring

Very light feeder. Rich feeding reduces aromatic oil content and makes plants more susceptible to cold. One annual feed in spring.

Companion Planting for Rosemary

What you plant next to rosemary makes a real difference — some plants actively help, others compete or attract pests.

Grows well with
  • Beans
  • Brassicas
  • Carrots
  • Sage
Keep away from
  • Basil
  • Mint
  • Pumpkin

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Common questions

In Zone 6, direct sow rosemary outdoors Mar 15 – May 1 after your last frost date of approximately Apr 1. Perennial in most Zone 6 locations. Well-drained soil prevents winter root rot.
Zone 6 has an average last spring frost of approximately Apr 1 and a first fall frost around Oct 31. These dates vary by specific location — use your ZIP code in the plant app for precision based on the nearest NOAA weather station.
Good companion crops for rosemary include Beans, Brassicas, Carrots, Sage. Avoid planting near Basil, Mint, Pumpkin, which can compete for nutrients or attract pests.
Rosemary typically takes 80–100 days from transplant or direct sow to harvest in Zone 6. Expected harvest window: Apr – Dec.

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Rosemary in other zones
Crop Guides