When to Plant in Boston, MA: Planting Calendar & Frost Dates
Quick answer
In Boston (ZIP 02130), the median last spring frost is Apr 19 and the first fall frost is Oct 23. Start tomato seeds indoors Feb 22 – Mar 8 and transplant them Apr 26 – May 3; sow peas Mar 8 – Mar 22; plant garlic Oct 9 – Nov 13.
For ZIP 02130 in Boston, the nearest NOAA weather station with freeze records is Jamaica Plain, 0.7 miles away. Its median last spring frost (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020) is Apr 19 and its median first fall frost is Oct 23, leaving about 187 frost-free days. ZIP 02130 is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. The last frost here comes 7 days earlier than the zone 6 median (Apr 26), and the season is 11 days longer than the zone’s typical 176 days. Across Massachusetts’s 539 ZIP codes with frost dates, the median last frost is Apr 27, so Boston’s comes 8 days earlier than that.
Station and dates: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32°F at 50% probability, for the station nearest the center of ZIP 02130. Zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM data by ZIP code). Outside Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Virginia the planner uses the nearest NOAA station with freeze data, which can be at a different elevation from your yard.
Next 30 days in Boston
See what to plant this month in the planner for ZIP 02130.
Key planting dates for Boston
| Key date | When in Boston | How it is counted |
|---|---|---|
| Sow peas | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | 4–6 weeks before last frost (Apr 19) |
| Start tomatoes indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | 6–8 weeks before last frost (Apr 19) |
| Transplant tomatoes | Apr 26 – May 3 | 1–2 weeks after last frost (Apr 19) |
| Sow beans and squash | Apr 26 – May 3 | 1–2 weeks after last frost (Apr 19) |
| Sow fall lettuce | Aug 28 – Sep 11 | 6–8 weeks before first fall frost (Oct 23) |
| Plant garlic | Oct 9 – Nov 13 | 2 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) (Oct 23) |
| Plant tulip bulbs | Oct 9 – Nov 20 | 2 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) (Oct 23) |
Boston vegetable and flower planting calendar
Every date range below is counted from Boston’s median frost dates (Apr 19 and Oct 23) with the same rules as our planner, and rows run in calendar order. In about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date.
| Plant | Task | Dates (and how they are counted) | Expected harvest (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli | Start indoors | Feb 8 – Feb 228–10 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 19) | — |
| Cabbage | Start indoors | Feb 8 – Feb 228–10 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 19) | — |
| Kale | Start indoors | Feb 8 – Feb 228–10 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 19) | — |
| Tomatoes | Start indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 86–8 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 19) | — |
| Peppers | Start indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 86–8 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 19) | — |
| Eggplant | Start indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 86–8 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 19) | — |
| Peas | Direct sow | Mar 8 – Mar 224–6 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 19) | May 7 – Jun 1060–80 days from seeding |
| Spinach | Direct sow | Mar 8 – Mar 224–6 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 19) | Apr 22 – May 2145–60 days from seeding |
| Basil | Start indoors | Mar 8 – Mar 224–6 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 19) | — |
| Radishes | Direct sow | Mar 15 – Apr 52–5 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 19) | Apr 4 – May 520–30 days from seeding |
| Lettuce | Direct sow | Mar 22 – Apr 52–4 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 19) | May 21 – Jun 2460–80 days from seeding |
| Onions (sets/transplants) | Plant sets/transplants | Mar 22 – Apr 52–4 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 19) | Jun 15 – Aug 385–120 days from planting |
| Broccoli | Transplant | Mar 22 – Apr 52–4 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 19) | May 11 – Jun 1450–70 days from transplanting |
| Cabbage | Transplant | Mar 22 – Apr 52–4 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 19) | May 31 – Jul 470–90 days from transplanting |
| Kale | Transplant | Mar 22 – Apr 52–4 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 19) | — |
| Marigolds | Start indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 190–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) (avg. Apr 19) | — |
| Zinnias | Start indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 190–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) (avg. Apr 19) | — |
| Potatoes | Plant seed potatoes | Apr 5 – Apr 121–2 weeks before last frost (avg. Apr 19) | Jun 29 – Jul 3185–110 days from planting |
| Marigolds | Direct sow / transplant | Apr 19 – May 3from the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) (avg. Apr 19) | — |
| Zinnias | Direct sow / transplant | Apr 19 – May 3from the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) (avg. Apr 19) | — |
| Tomatoes | Transplant | Apr 26 – May 31–2 weeks after last frost (avg. Apr 19) | Jul 5 – Aug 170–90 days from transplanting |
| Beans (bush & pole) | Direct sow | Apr 26 – May 31–2 weeks after last frost (avg. Apr 19) | Jun 10 – Jul 1245–70 days from seeding |
| Sweet corn | Direct sow | Apr 26 – May 31–2 weeks after last frost (avg. Apr 19) | Jun 30 – Aug 165–90 days from seeding |
| Cucumbers | Direct sow | Apr 26 – May 31–2 weeks after last frost (avg. Apr 19) | Jun 5 – Jul 740–65 days from seeding |
| Squash | Direct sow | Apr 26 – May 31–2 weeks after last frost (avg. Apr 19) | Jun 5 – Jun 2240–50 days from seeding |
| Pumpkins | Direct sow | Apr 26 – May 101–3 weeks after last frost (avg. Apr 19) | Jul 15 – Aug 1880–100 days from seeding |
| Basil | Transplant | Apr 26 – May 31–2 weeks after last frost (avg. Apr 19) | Jun 7 – Jun 1442 days from transplanting |
| Peppers | Transplant | May 3 – May 102–3 weeks after last frost (avg. Apr 19) | Jul 7 – Jul 2465–75 days from transplanting |
| Eggplant | Transplant | May 3 – May 102–3 weeks after last frost (avg. Apr 19) | Jul 12 – Aug 870–90 days from transplanting |
| Broccoli | Fall transplant | Jul 31 – Aug 1410–12 weeks before first fall frost (avg. Oct 23) | Sep 19 – Oct 2350–70 days from transplanting |
| Cabbage | Fall transplant | Jul 31 – Aug 1410–12 weeks before first fall frost (avg. Oct 23) | Oct 9 – Nov 1270–90 days from transplanting |
| Kale | Fall sow | Aug 14 – Aug 288–10 weeks before first fall frost (avg. Oct 23) | Oct 3 – Nov 650–70 days from seeding |
| Lettuce | Fall sow | Aug 28 – Sep 116–8 weeks before first fall frost (avg. Oct 23) | Oct 27 – Nov 3060–80 days from seeding |
| Spinach | Fall sow | Sep 4 – Sep 254–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech) (avg. Oct 23) | Oct 19 – Nov 2445–60 days from seeding |
| Radishes | Fall sow | Sep 11 – Sep 254–6 weeks before first fall frost (avg. Oct 23) | Oct 1 – Oct 2520–30 days from seeding |
| Daffodils | Fall plant bulbs | Sep 25 – Nov 64 weeks before to 2 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) (avg. Oct 23) | — |
| Tulips | Fall plant bulbs | Oct 9 – Nov 202 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) (avg. Oct 23) | — |
| Garlic | Fall plant cloves | Oct 9 – Nov 132 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) (avg. Oct 23) | Jun 16 – Aug 10 (next year)250–270 days from planting |
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Harvest estimates add days to harvest from these sources to each planting window, and stop at the first fall frost for frost-tender crops: UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Onions in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Basil in a Home Garden.
Frost dates across Boston’s ZIP codes
Across Boston’s 32 ZIP codes, the median last spring frost ranges from Apr 4 to Apr 19 and the median first fall frost from Oct 23 to Nov 9, depending on which of 3 NOAA stations is nearest. This page uses ZIP 02130, which is in the group most Boston ZIP codes share.
| Nearest NOAA station | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Boston ZIP codes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamaica Plain | Apr 19 | Oct 23 | 16: 02115, 02119, 02120, 02121, 02122, 02124, 02125, 02126, 02130, 02131, 02132, 02134, 02135, 02163, 02199, 02215 |
| Boston Logan International Airport (NOAA name: Boston Logan Intl Airport, MA) | Apr 4 | Nov 9 | 15: 02108, 02109, 02110, 02111, 02113, 02114, 02116, 02118, 02127, 02128, 02129, 02133, 02203, 02205, 02210 |
| Blue Hill Coop | Apr 18 | Oct 26 | 1: 02136 |
Which ZIP codes count as Boston: the 32 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (2020 ZCTAs) with at least half of their land area inside Boston city limits, from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 ZCTA to Place Relationship File. ZCTAs are the Census Bureau’s approximations of USPS ZIP Code areas, so this list may not match every USPS ZIP code. Each ZIP code’s dates are the ones our planner shows for it.
How Boston compares
| Area | Median last spring frost | Median first fall frost | Frost-free days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston (ZIP 02130) | Apr 19 | Oct 23 | 187 |
| Massachusetts (median of 539 ZIP codes) | Apr 27 | Oct 14 | 170 |
| USDA zone 6 (median of 9,140 ZIP codes) | Apr 26 | Oct 19 | 176 |
How this table is built: each ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles); state and zone rows are medians across those ZIP codes. Zones are the 2023 USDA zones by ZIP code (PRISM).
More for Boston gardeners
- Your own ZIP: open the planner for ZIP 02130 and change the ZIP to yours for its own station and dates.
- Massachusetts: When to plant in Massachusetts, with frost dates across the state.
- USDA zone 6b: our zone 6 planting guide.
- Frost tonight? How to protect plants from frost.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Boston?
For ZIP 02130 in Boston, the nearest NOAA 1991–2020 normals station (Jamaica Plain, 0.7 miles away) has a median last spring frost (32°F) of Apr 19. Across Boston’s 32 ZIP codes it ranges from Apr 4 to Apr 19. In about half of years a frost still comes after that date, so tender plants are safer 1–2 weeks later.
When should I plant tomatoes in Boston?
Start tomato seeds indoors Feb 22 – Mar 8 (6–8 weeks before the last frost) and transplant them outdoors Apr 26 – May 3 (1–2 weeks after it), once nights stay above about 52°F (Colorado State).
What is the first fall frost date in Boston?
The median first fall frost (32°F) for ZIP 02130 is Oct 23, about 187 days after the last spring frost. Across Boston’s ZIP codes it ranges from Oct 23 to Nov 9. Sow fall lettuce Aug 28 – Sep 11 and plant garlic Oct 9 – Nov 13.
What USDA zone is Boston in?
ZIP 02130 in Boston is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
Sources
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information: U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, Plant Hardiness Zone Map: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
- UNH Extension: When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden
- Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension: Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; FS1220: Spring Flowering Bulbs (Rutgers NJAES)
- Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech): Virginia Cooperative Extension 426-331, Virginia’s Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide
- University of Maryland Extension: Vegetable Planting Calendar; Growing Potatoes in a Home Garden; Growing Onions in a Home Garden; Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; Growing Basil in a Home Garden
- University of Idaho Extension: CIS 1209
- South Dakota State University Extension: Planting Garlic; Harden Your Transplants Prior To Planting Your Garden
- University of Illinois Extension: Ready, Set, Garlic!
- University of Minnesota Extension: Growing sweet corn in home gardens; Growing eggplant in home gardens
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR): Growing Peppers
- Colorado State University Extension: Growing tomatoes
- UF/IFAS Extension: Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2020 ZCTA to Place Relationship File