Blueberries planting calendar for USDA Zone 6b

Boone NC, northern VA, central KY, southern IN. Average last spring frost April 24, first fall frost October 8 — a 167-day frost-free season.

Zone fit: challenging
Blueberries needs a long season and this zone averages just 167 frost-free days. Start early, use black plastic, and plan for row cover on shoulder-season frosts.

Key dates

Transplant outdoors
October 2 – October 23
Expected first harvest
October 8 – November 5
Fall planting window
August 20 – September 10
Fall harvest window
August 26 – September 23

Windows are calculated from your zone's average frost dates. Adjust ±1 week for microclimates, elevation, and your own frost records.

Spacing and soil

Plant spacing
60″
Row spacing
120″
Seed depth
6″
Soil temperature
50–80°F
Frost tolerance
hardy
Days to harvest
730 days

Grower notes for Zone 6b

Rabbiteye varieties fit Zones 7–9; southern highbush for Zones 8–10. Soil pH 4.5–5.2 is non-negotiable — amend with elemental sulfur.

Plant near: azaleas, rhododendrons

Other berries for Zone 6b

Same crop, other zones

Track your own plantings

BAU Farm Intelligence turns these windows into per-field tasks — indoor seed-start reminders, transplant dates, harvest projections — using your farm's actual frost history.

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