Growing Pawpaw in USDA Zone 6a
Zone temp
-10°F to -5°F
Season
180 days
Crop chill
400 to 500
Suitable varieties
4
Will pawpaw thrive in zone 6a?
Detailed guidance for this section is being prepared. Check back soon.
Recommended varieties for zone 6a
- Sunflower. Custard texture, tropical mango-banana flavor; eat fresh with a spoon, or freeze pulp for smoothies and baking. Partially self-fertile, large fruit.
- Shenandoah. Mild tropical flavor, less of the funky aftertaste some pawpaws have; smooth custard texture, low seed count. Best entry-level cultivar for new pawpaw growers.
- Susquehanna. Rich, complex flavor with vanilla-pear notes; large fruit, low seed count. Considered one of the best-tasting cultivars.
- NC-1. Sweet, mild banana-mango flavor; cold-hardy selection from northern stock. Reliable in zone 5.
Critical timing for zone 6a
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Common challenges in zone 6a
- Brown rot in stone fruit
- Japanese beetles
- Spring frost damage to peach buds
Modified care for zone 6a
Detailed guidance for this section is being prepared. Check back soon.
Frequently asked questions
- Will pawpaw grow in zone 6a?
Yes. Pawpaw is recommended for USDA zones 5a through 8b, which includes zone 6a.
- Are there enough chill hours in zone 6a?
Pawpaw needs 400 to 500 chill hours. Zone 6a typically provides chill hours within or above this range; specific varieties may have different requirements.