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Growing NERICA6 in Zone 5a

Oryza sativa

✓ Well Suited for Zone 5a
Score: 96/100
F1 Hybrid

🌡️ USDA Hardiness Zone 5a

Moderate Continental

USDA 2023 Verified
Growing Season
130-160 days
Winter Minimum
-20°F to -15°F
(-28.9°C to -26.1°C)
Last Spring Frost
May 10
50% probability
First Fall Frost
September 27
50% probability
AHS Heat Zone 3-6
8 to 14 heat days per year • Low heat stress

Typical regions: Central Midwest, Southern New England, Pacific Northwest mountains, Anchorage AK

📊 Data Source:
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 • Frost dates from NOAA station USW00026451 • Last verified: 1/22/2026

✓ Zone Compatibility Analysis

high confidence

Excellent match: 120 days to maturity with 40 days buffer in 160-day season.

Recommendation: Direct sowing and transplanting both viable. Excellent fit for this zone.

💾 Suitability computed by Solara Agricultural Intelligence Platform

📅 Zone 5a Planting Calendar for NERICA6

Based on NOAA climate normals for Zone 5a. Dates show 50% probability (average year).

🌱 Start Seeds Indoors
March 12
✓ Database-computed optimal date
🪴 Transplant Outdoors
April 30
✓ Database-computed optimal date
🌾 Direct Sow (Alternative)
2 weeks after May 10
For warm-season crops
🥕 Expected Harvest
August 28
Complete before September 27

💡 Zone 5a Growing Tips

  • • Growing season: 130-160 frost-free days
  • • Excellent match for this zone - both direct sowing and transplanting work well
  • • Monitor soil temperature before transplanting (minimum 55-60°F for most crops)

⚠️ Zone 5a Challenges

⚠️Cold winters
⚠️Variable spring
⚠️Summer heat waves possible

✅ Best Plants for Zone 5a

✓Most vegetables
✓Fruit trees
✓Roses
✓Wide variety of perennials

❄️ Winter in Zone 5a

Cold winters with lows reaching -15°F to -20°F.

☀️ Summer in Zone 5a

Warm to hot summers with good growing conditions.

🔥 Heat Management for AHS Zone 3-6

This zone experiences 8 to 14 heat days per year with low heat stress.

🌡️Light mulching
🌡️Adequate watering during heat spells

Source: American Horticultural Society

📊 NERICA6 Quick Facts

Days to Maturity
90-150
Difficulty
—
Season
—
Type
F1

📍 View NERICA6 Guide for Other Zones

Zone 1aZone 1bZone 2aZone 2bZone 3aZone 3bZone 4aZone 4bZone 5aZone 5bZone 6aZone 6bZone 7aZone 7bZone 8aZone 8bZone 9aZone 9bZone 10aZone 10bZone 11aZone 11bZone 12aZone 12bZone 13aZone 13b

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