Burdock in Zone 6a & 6b
Arctium lappa
Yes, burdock grows in zones 6a and 6b. Plant it outside May 2–May 9.
When to plant burdock in zone 6b
Zones 6a and 6b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 2–May 9 |
| Estimated harvest | Aug 30–Sep 6 (~120 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-4 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 6b
These go outside within two weeks of burdock in zone 6b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoMay 9–May 16
- Bush BeansMay 2–May 9
- Sweet CornMay 2–May 9
- CucumberMay 2–May 9
- ZucchiniMay 2–May 9
- Winter SquashMay 2–May 9
Burdock is a long-rooted Asian specialty root vegetable, grown for its mild, slightly sweet root rather than for anything happening above ground.
How burdock fits zone 6's season
Zone 6b's frost-free window runs about 173 days, from April 25 to October 15. Burdock needs about 120 days from sowing to first harvest.
Burdock planting windows in every zone
Zone 6b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Not usually | Jun 6–Jun 13 | Oct 4–Oct 11 |
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | May 22–May 29 | Sep 19–Sep 26 |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | May 17–May 24 | Sep 14–Sep 21 |
| 6a & 6b (your zone) | Not usually | May 2–May 9 | Aug 30–Sep 6 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Aug 15–Aug 22 |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Apr 1–Apr 8 | Jul 30–Aug 6 |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Feb 22–Mar 1 | Jun 22–Jun 29 |
| 10a & 10b | Not usually | Feb 6–Feb 13 | Jun 6–Jun 13 |
Harvest dates are about 120 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Good companions
No well-established companions for burdock.
Where to buy burdock seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's burdock seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- 'Chiko': Johnny's Selected Seeds' listed burdock variety, described as a nutritious, medicinal Asian specialty; there's little named-cultivar diversity beyond it in the seed trade this plant is sold through. Buy: True Leaf Market Full notes
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing burdock" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 6b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Burdock in USDA zone 6b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest