When to Plant Saffron in Zone 6
In USDA zone 6a, plant outdoors August 22 to October 11, and expect your first harvest around October 11. Zone 6 also has a fall planting window opening around August 22. (6a shown here — see 6a and 6b dates separately below.)
Saffron planting calendar for USDA Zone 6a
Average last spring frost
April 25
Average first fall frost
October 10
Direct sow
Aug 22
Projected first harvest
Oct 11
Saffron needs about 50 days to mature — longer than zone 6atypically stays frost-free, so it likely won't reliably ripen there outdoors without a head start indoors or season extension.
Saffron planting calendar for USDA Zone 6b
Average last spring frost
April 20
Average first fall frost
October 15
Direct sow
Aug 27
Projected first harvest
Oct 16
Saffron needs about 50 days to mature — longer than zone 6btypically stays frost-free, so it likely won't reliably ripen there outdoors without a head start indoors or season extension.
Not sure whether you're in 6a or 6b? Set your ZIP in HomeSown for dates tuned to your exact location.
Varieties to grow
1 variety of saffron in the HomeSown library. Tap any for its full grow guide.
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