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Zone 6a Planting Calendar

Zone 6a Zone 6a June

Top priorities for Zone 6a gardeners in June

A quick June briefing for Zone 6a gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost April 27
Avg. first frost October 16
  1. Sow basil, cucumber, and kale in trays indoors

    Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.

  2. Pick carrots, green beans, and kale

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • Starting indoors: peppers, begonias, and eggplant
  • First harvests: basil, carrots, and cucumber
Send me my free Zone 6a Planting Guide →

Zone 6a has an average minimum temperature range of -10°F to -5°F. The average last spring frost is around April 10 and the first fall frost is around October 20, giving you approximately 193 days in the growing season.

There are 222 plants in our database that grow well in Zone 6a.

Zone 6a Moderate season
193 days
❄
Last Spring Frost April 10
➔ 193 growing days ➔
❄
First Fall Frost October 20
Zone 6a Frost Countdown
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Last Frost: Apr 10 First Frost: Oct 20
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States That Include Zone 6a

Many states span multiple zones. The states highlighted below contain areas classified as Zone 6a.

AL — Zone 7b AL AR — Zone 7b AR AZ — Zone 8a AZ CA — Zone 9a CA CO — Zone 5a CO CT — Zone 6b CT DE — Zone 7a DE FL — Zone 9a FL GA — Zone 7b GA IA — Zone 5a IA ID — Zone 5b ID IL — Zone 5b IL IN — Zone 6a IN KS — Zone 6a KS KY — Zone 6b KY LA — Zone 8b LA MA — Zone 6a MA MD — Zone 7a MD ME — Zone 4b ME MI — Zone 5b MI MN — Zone 4a MN MO — Zone 6a MO MS — Zone 8a MS MT — Zone 4b MT NC — Zone 7a NC ND — Zone 3b ND NE — Zone 5a NE NH — Zone 5a NH NJ — Zone 7a NJ NM — Zone 6b NM NV — Zone 6b NV NY — Zone 5b NY OH — Zone 6a OH OK — Zone 7a OK OR — Zone 7a OR PA — Zone 6a PA RI — Zone 6b RI SC — Zone 8a SC SD — Zone 4a SD TN — Zone 7a TN TX — Zone 8a TX UT — Zone 5b UT VA — Zone 7a VA VT — Zone 4b VT WA — Zone 7a WA WI — Zone 4b WI WV — Zone 6a WV WY — Zone 4a WY AK — Zone 2a AK HI — Zone 11a HI
Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Growing Season Comparison

What to Plant Right Now in Zone 6a

Based on June 2026 planting windows.

Basil Harvest Jun 19 – Aug 21 Ageratum Harvest Jun 5 – Sep 11 Anemones Harvest May 15 – Jun 12 Arugula Harvest May 15 – Jul 17 Astilbe Harvest Jun 26 – Sep 4 Bachelor's Button Harvest Jun 12 – Aug 28 Beets Harvest May 22 – Jun 19 Begonias Harvest Jun 26 – Sep 25

See all June plantings →

All Planting Windows at a Glance

This chart shows when to start, transplant, sow, and harvest every plant in Zone 6a.

Vegetables for Zone 6a

Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Harvest Days to Maturity
Acorn Squash Mar 6 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jul 17 – Aug 21 80–100
Amaranth Feb 13 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jul 24 – Sep 11 90–120
Arugula Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 May 15 – Jul 17 30–50
Asparagus — — Apr 24 — 730–1095
Beets — Mar 27 — May 22 – Jun 19 50–70
Belgian Endive Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jul 31 – Sep 25 110–150
Bitter Melon Feb 13 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jun 26 – Aug 7 60–90
Black Beans — Apr 17 — Jul 17 – Sep 4 90–120
Bok Choy Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 May 22 – Jun 26 40–60
Broccoli Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jun 12 – Jul 24 60–90
Broccoli Rabe Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 May 22 – Jun 26 40–60
Brussels Sprouts Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jul 10 – Sep 4 90–130
Butternut Squash Mar 6 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jul 24 – Aug 28 85–110
Cabbage Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jun 12 – Aug 7 60–100
Calabash Feb 13 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jul 17 – Sep 11 80–120
Carrots — Mar 27 — May 29 – Jul 3 60–80
Cauliflower Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jun 5 – Aug 7 55–100
Celeriac Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jul 24 – Aug 28 100–120
Celery Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jul 3 – Aug 28 80–120
Celtuce Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jun 12 – Jul 24 60–90
Chard Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jun 5 – Jul 24 50–60
Chickpeas Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jul 3 – Aug 14 80–110
Chicory Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jun 12 – Jul 24 60–85
Chinese Cabbage Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jun 5 – Jul 3 50–70
Christmas Lima Beans Feb 13 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jul 17 – Aug 21 80–100
Collard Greens Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jun 5 – Aug 7 55–75
Corn — Apr 17 — Jun 19 – Aug 14 60–100
Cowpeas — Apr 17 — Jun 19 – Jul 31 60–90
Cress Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Apr 24 – May 15 14–21
Crookneck Squash Mar 6 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jun 12 – Jul 10 45–60
Crosne — Mar 27 — Aug 28 – Oct 9 150–200
Cucumber Mar 6 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jun 19 – Aug 14 50–70
Daikon — Mar 27 — May 22 – Jun 19 50–70
Delicata Squash Mar 6 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jul 17 – Aug 21 80–100
Edamame — Apr 17 — Jul 3 – Aug 14 75–100
Eggplant Jan 30 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jul 3 – Sep 4 65–85
Endive Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 May 29 – Jul 3 45–65
Escarole Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jun 5 – Jul 3 50–70
Fava Beans Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jun 26 – Aug 7 75–100
Fennel Feb 13 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jun 26 – Aug 7 60–90
Garlic — — — Dec 8 – Mar 23 90–240
Green Beans — Apr 17 — Jun 12 – Aug 7 50–65
Horseradish — — Apr 24 Aug 28 – Nov 6 120–180
Hot Peppers Jan 30 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jul 3 – Oct 9 70–120
Hubbard Squash Mar 6 Apr 17 Apr 24 Aug 7 – Sep 11 100–120
Kabocha Mar 6 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jul 24 – Aug 21 85–100
Kai Lan Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 May 29 – Jun 26 45–60
Kale Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jun 5 – Jul 31 50–70
Kidney Beans — Apr 17 — Jul 17 – Aug 21 85–110
Kohlrabi Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 May 29 – Jul 3 45–65
Komatsuna Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 May 15 – Jun 19 35–50
Leeks Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jul 10 – Sep 25 90–150
Lentils Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jul 3 – Aug 14 80–110
Lettuce Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 May 15 – Jul 24 30–60
Lima Beans — Apr 17 — Jun 19 – Jul 31 60–90
Loofah Feb 13 Apr 17 Apr 24 Aug 7 – Oct 9 100–150
Luffa Feb 13 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jul 24 – Oct 9 90–150
Mache Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 May 22 – Jun 26 40–60
Melon Mar 6 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jul 3 – Aug 21 70–100
Microgreens Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Apr 17 – May 15 7–21
Mitsuba Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 3 May 29 – Jul 24 50–70
Mizuna Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 May 15 – Jun 12 30–45
Mustard Greens Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 May 15 – Jul 17 30–50
Napa Cabbage Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jun 5 – Jul 10 55–75
New Zealand Spinach Feb 13 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jun 19 – Jul 17 55–70
Okra Feb 13 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jun 19 – Aug 14 50–65
Onion Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jul 10 – Aug 28 90–120
Pac Choi Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 May 22 – Jun 19 40–55
Parsnip — Mar 27 — Jul 10 – Aug 21 100–130
Patty Pan Squash Mar 6 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jun 12 – Jul 10 45–60
Peas Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jun 5 – Jul 31 55–70
Peppers Jan 30 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jun 26 – Sep 4 60–90
Pole Beans Feb 13 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jun 19 – Aug 14 55–70
Potatoes Feb 13 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jul 3 – Sep 11 70–120
Pumpkin Mar 6 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jul 24 – Sep 11 85–120
Purslane Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 May 22 – Jun 26 40–60
Radicchio Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jun 12 – Jul 17 60–80
Radish — Mar 27 — Apr 24 – May 15 22–35
Rhubarb — — May 1 — 365–730
Romanesco Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jun 26 – Aug 7 75–100
Rutabaga — Mar 27 — Jun 19 – Jul 24 80–100
Salsify — Mar 27 — Jul 10 – Aug 21 100–130
Savoy Cabbage Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jun 19 – Aug 14 70–110
Scallions Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jun 5 – Jul 3 50–70
Scarlet Runner Beans Feb 13 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jun 26 – Jul 31 60–80
Shallot Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jul 10 – Aug 28 90–120
Shiso Feb 20 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jun 19 – Aug 14 50–70
Snap Peas Feb 13 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jun 19 – Aug 14 55–70
Snow Peas Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jun 5 – Jul 31 50–65
Soybeans — Apr 17 — Jul 10 – Sep 4 80–120
Spaghetti Squash Mar 6 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jul 24 – Aug 21 85–100
Spinach Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 May 15 – Jul 17 35–50
Squash (Summer) Mar 6 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jun 12 – Aug 14 45–65
Squash (Winter) Mar 6 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jul 17 – Sep 11 80–120
Sunchoke — — Apr 24 Aug 14 – Oct 9 110–150
Sweet Corn — Apr 17 — Jun 19 – Jul 31 60–90
Sweet Potatoes Feb 13 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jul 24 – Sep 11 90–120
Tatsoi Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 May 15 – Jun 19 35–50
Tomatillo Feb 13 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jun 26 – Sep 4 60–85
Tomatoes Feb 13 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jun 26 – Sep 4 60–85
Turnip — Mar 27 — May 8 – Jun 12 40–60
Watercress Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 May 22 – Jun 26 40–60
Watermelon Mar 6 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jul 3 – Aug 21 70–100
Wax Beans — Apr 17 — Jun 12 – Aug 7 50–65
Winter Melon Feb 13 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jul 24 – Sep 11 90–120
Yard Long Beans Feb 13 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jun 19 – Jul 31 55–80
Zucchini Mar 6 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jun 12 – Aug 7 45–60

Fruits for Zone 6a

Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Harvest Days to Maturity
Alpine Strawberries — — May 1 Jul 31 – Nov 13 90–180
Aronia — — May 1 — 730–1095
Blackberries — — May 1 — 365–730
Blueberries — — May 1 — 730–1095
Boysenberries — — May 1 — 365–730
Cantaloupe — — May 1 Jul 10 – Aug 14 70–90
Che Fruit — — May 1 — 1095–1825
Cranberries — — May 1 — 730–1095
Currants — — May 1 — 730–1095
Elderberries — — May 1 — 730–1095
Goji Berries — — May 1 — 730–1095
Gooseberries — — May 1 — 730–1095
Grapes — — May 1 — 730–1095
Ground Cherry — — May 1 Jul 10 – Sep 4 65–80
Hardy Kiwi — — May 1 — 1095–1825
Haskaps — — May 1 — 730–1095
Honeydew — — May 1 Jul 24 – Sep 4 80–110
Jostaberry — — May 1 — 730–1095
Lingonberries — — May 1 — 730–1095
Medlar — — May 1 — 1095–1825
Mulberries — — May 1 — 730–1825
Pawpaw — — May 1 — 1095–2555
Persimmon — — May 1 — 1095–2555
Quince — — May 1 — 1095–1825
Raspberries — — May 1 — 365–730
Serviceberries — — May 1 — 730–1095
Strawberries — — May 1 Jul 31 – Nov 13 90–365

Herbs for Zone 6a

Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Harvest Days to Maturity
Angelica Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 3 — 365–730
Anise Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 3 Jul 3 – Sep 18 90–120
Basil Feb 20 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jun 19 – Aug 21 50–75
Bee Balm — — Apr 17 Jul 17 – Oct 2 90–120
Borage Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 3 May 29 – Jul 17 50–60
Caraway Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 3 — 365–450
Catnip — — Apr 17 Jun 19 – Aug 21 60–80
Chamomile Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 3 Jun 5 – Aug 14 60–90
Chervil Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 3 May 15 – Jul 17 40–60
Chives — — Apr 17 Jun 19 – Aug 28 60–90
Cilantro Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 3 May 15 – Jul 17 40–60
Comfrey — — Apr 17 Jun 19 – Aug 28 60–90
Cumin Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 3 Jul 17 – Sep 18 100–120
Dill Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 3 May 15 – Jul 17 40–60
Epazote Feb 20 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jun 12 – Aug 7 45–60
Fennel (herb) Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 3 Jun 5 – Aug 14 60–90
Feverfew — — Apr 17 Jul 17 – Oct 2 90–120
Garlic Chives — — Apr 17 Jun 19 – Aug 28 60–90
Horehound — — Apr 17 Jul 3 – Aug 28 75–90
Hyssop — — Apr 17 Jun 26 – Aug 28 70–90
Lemon Balm — — Apr 17 Jun 19 – Aug 7 60–70
Lemon Thyme — — Apr 17 Jun 26 – Aug 28 70–90
Lovage — — Apr 17 Jun 26 – Aug 28 70–90
Marjoram — — Apr 17 Jun 19 – Aug 28 60–90
Mint — — Apr 17 Jun 19 – Aug 28 60–90
Oregano — — Apr 17 Jun 19 – Aug 28 60–90
Parsley Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 3 Jun 5 – Aug 7 60–80
Rue — — Apr 17 Jun 26 – Aug 28 70–90
Sage — — Apr 17 Jul 3 – Aug 28 75–90
Savory — — Apr 17 Jun 12 – Aug 7 50–70
Sorrel Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 3 May 15 – Jul 17 40–60
Tarragon — — Apr 17 Jun 19 – Aug 28 60–90
Thai Basil Feb 20 Apr 17 Apr 24 Jun 19 – Aug 21 50–75
Thyme — — Apr 17 Jun 26 – Aug 28 70–90
Valerian — — Apr 17 Aug 21 – Oct 30 120–180

Flowers for Zone 6a

Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Harvest Days to Maturity
Ageratum Feb 20 Apr 10 Apr 10 Jun 5 – Sep 11 60–75
Alliums — — — Oct 6 – Nov 3 28–42
Anemones Mar 13 — Apr 10 May 15 – Jun 12 90–120
Astilbe Feb 6 — Apr 17 Jun 26 – Sep 4 70–100
Bachelor's Button Feb 27 Mar 13 Apr 10 Jun 12 – Aug 28 60–90
Begonias Jan 30 — Apr 17 Jun 26 – Sep 25 70–90
Black-eyed Susan Feb 6 Apr 10 Apr 17 Jul 3 – Oct 16 60–80
Bleeding Hearts Feb 6 — Apr 17 Jun 12 – Jul 17 60–90
Calendula Feb 27 Mar 13 Apr 10 May 29 – Aug 28 50–70
California Poppy — Mar 13 — May 22 – Jul 3 60–90
Celosia Mar 6 Apr 17 Apr 17 Jun 19 – Oct 2 60–90
Columbine Feb 6 Apr 24 Apr 24 Jun 19 – Jul 24 70–100
Coreopsis Feb 6 Apr 17 Apr 17 Jun 26 – Oct 16 60–80
Cosmos Mar 13 Apr 10 Apr 10 Jun 19 – Sep 25 60–90
Crocus — — — Jul 28 – Aug 18 10–20
Daffodils — — — Aug 4 – Aug 25 20–40
Dahlias Mar 13 Apr 17 Apr 17 Jul 3 – Oct 16 70–120
Daylily Feb 6 — Apr 17 Jul 3 – Oct 16 60–90
Dianthus Feb 13 Mar 13 Mar 27 May 15 – Aug 14 60–80
Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) Feb 6 Apr 24 Apr 24 Jul 17 – Oct 23 70–90
Foxglove Feb 6 Apr 17 Apr 17 Jun 12 – Jul 17 80–120
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) Feb 20 Apr 17 Apr 17 Jun 26 – Oct 30 70–100
Geraniums Jan 30 — Apr 17 Jun 26 – Sep 25 70–100
Gladiolus — Apr 10 Apr 10 Jun 26 – Oct 9 70–100
Hostas Jan 30 — Apr 17 Jul 3 – Oct 16 60–90
Hyacinths — — — Aug 25 – Sep 15 14–28
Hydrangeas Jan 30 — Apr 17 Jun 26 – Oct 2 90–150
Impatiens Feb 13 — Apr 17 Jun 26 – Oct 2 60–75
Irises — — Apr 17 Jun 12 – Jul 10 60–100
Larkspur — Mar 13 — May 22 – Jul 17 60–90
Lavender Jan 30 — Apr 24 Jul 3 – Aug 28 90–120
Lilies — — Apr 17 Jun 26 – Oct 2 70–120
Lobelia Feb 6 — Mar 27 May 22 – Aug 14 70–80
Lupine Feb 6 Apr 17 Apr 17 Jun 12 – Jul 17 75–100
Marigolds Feb 27 Apr 17 Apr 17 Jun 12 – Sep 11 50–70
Nasturtium Mar 13 Apr 17 Apr 17 Jun 12 – Oct 2 55–65
Pansy Jan 30 — Apr 10 Jun 5 – Aug 7 70–90
Peonies — — Apr 17 Jun 19 – Jul 24 90–120
Petunia Feb 13 — Apr 17 Jun 26 – Oct 2 70–90
Phlox Feb 6 Apr 17 Apr 17 Jun 26 – Sep 18 80–110
Portulaca Mar 6 Apr 17 Apr 17 Jun 5 – Sep 18 50–70
Ranunculus Feb 27 — Apr 10 May 22 – Jun 19 90–120
Roses Jan 30 — Apr 17 Jun 26 – Oct 16 90–180
Salvia Feb 6 — Apr 17 Jun 26 – Oct 2 70–90
Sedum (Stonecrop) Feb 6 — Apr 17 Aug 7 – Oct 23 60–90
Snapdragon Jan 30 Mar 20 Apr 10 Jun 19 – Aug 28 70–100
Sunflower Mar 20 Apr 17 Apr 17 Jul 10 – Oct 2 70–100
Sweet Alyssum Feb 20 Mar 20 Apr 10 May 22 – Jul 31 45–60
Sweet Pea Feb 27 Mar 6 Apr 10 Jun 26 – Sep 4 65–85
Tulips — — — Aug 18 – Sep 15 15–30
Vinca (Annual) Jan 30 — Apr 17 Jun 26 – Oct 2 70–90
Yarrow Feb 6 Apr 10 Apr 17 Jun 26 – Oct 16 60–90
Zinnia Mar 13 Apr 17 Apr 17 Jun 26 – Oct 2 60–70
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Recommended for Your Garden

🌱
Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

Essential for starting seeds indoors before transplanting.

🧪
Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

Know your soil before you plant for best results.

🔧
Hand Trowel $8-18

Essential garden hand trowel for planting, transplanting, and weeding.

A must-have tool for every gardener.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I grow in Zone 6a?

Zone 6a supports 222 plants in our database including vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers. With a 193-day growing season (last frost ~April 10, first frost ~October 20), you can grow most common garden crops with proper timing.

What is Zone 6a?

USDA Zone 6a has an average annual minimum temperature of -10°F to -5°F.

When is the last frost in Zone 6a?

The average last spring frost in Zone 6a is approximately April 10. The first fall frost averages around October 20, giving a growing season of about 193 days. These dates are based on 50% probability — plan for some year-to-year variation.

Composting Guide for Homesteaders

Composting Guide for Homesteaders

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  • 14 sections on composting methods, soil science, and troubleshooting
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  • Bonus tools: troubleshooting chart, safety guide, monitoring log
Start composting today →

Monthly Planting Guide for Zone 6a

Other Zones

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Planting dates are estimates based on average frost dates — local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

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Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.

Plant varieties + growing data

Soil survey + temperature data

Drought monitoring

Household-consumption benchmarks

Derived

Other

Frost dates

Modeling

Precipitation + climate normals

Curated

Pest + disease pressure

Local extension offices

Daylight hours + sun data

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