DibbleMassachusetts planting calendar
Massachusetts falls in USDA Zones 5 to 7. Here is a planting calendar for Zone 6, the most common zone across Massachusetts, with start, sow, transplant, and harvest dates for every crop. Set your garden's location in Dibble for dates tuned to your exact spot.
Right now in Massachusetts
What has a planting window open in Zone 6 this month and next, and what is coming in from the garden. Every crop links to its exact dates.
January in Zone 6
No planting windows open in January for Zone 6. It is the stretch for planning beds, ordering seed and getting tools ready.
February in Zone 6
March in Zone 6
- Start seeds indoors: Tomato, Pepper, Onion, Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Parsley, Oregano, Sage, Chives, Eggplant, Leek, Celery, Hot Pepper, Collard Greens
- Direct sow: Lettuce, Carrot, Pea, Spinach, Radish, Cilantro, Swiss Chard, Turnip, Arugula, Calendula, Green Onion, Kohlrabi
- Transplant: Kale, Cabbage, Leek, Collard Greens
April in Zone 6
- Start seeds indoors: Tomato, Pepper, Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Basil, Marigold, Parsley, Oregano, Sage, Chives, Eggplant, Leek, Celery, Hot Pepper, Tomatillo, Collard Greens
- Direct sow: Potato, Lettuce, Carrot, Pea, Spinach, Beet, Radish, Cilantro, Sunflower, Dill, Swiss Chard, Turnip, Parsnip, Arugula, Calendula, Borage, Green Onion, Bok Choy, Fennel, Shallot, Kohlrabi, Chamomile
- Transplant: Onion, Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Strawberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Blackberry, Asparagus, Rhubarb, Grape, Mint, Parsley, Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Chives, Leek, Celery, Lavender, Collard Greens, Apple, Pear, Peach, Plum, Cherry, Apricot
May in Zone 6
- Start seeds indoors: Tomato, Pepper, Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Basil, Marigold, Parsley, Eggplant, Brussels Sprouts, Leek, Hot Pepper, Tomatillo, Collard Greens
- Direct sow: Potato, Lettuce, Carrot, Bean (bush), Pea, Cucumber, Zucchini, Winter Squash, Spinach, Beet, Radish, Sweet Corn, Cilantro, Zinnia, Sunflower, Cosmos, Dill, Swiss Chard, Parsnip, Arugula, Okra, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Nasturtium, Calendula, Borage, Pumpkin, Green Onion, Bok Choy, Fennel, Shallot, Kohlrabi, Chamomile
- Transplant: Tomato, Pepper, Onion, Kale, Broccoli, Sweet Potato, Cabbage, Basil, Marigold, Strawberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Blackberry, Asparagus, Rhubarb, Grape, Mint, Parsley, Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Chives, Eggplant, Leek, Celery, Lavender, Hot Pepper, Tomatillo, Collard Greens, Apple, Pear, Peach, Plum, Cherry, Apricot
- Plant tubers: Dahlia
Harvesting: Lettuce, Pea, Kale, Spinach, Cilantro, Tulip, Asparagus, Rhubarb, Swiss Chard, Turnip, Arugula, Calendula, Green Onion, Collard Greens, Bok Choy, Kohlrabi
June in Zone 6
- Start seeds indoors: Tomato, Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Basil, Marigold, Parsley, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Tomatillo, Collard Greens
- Direct sow: Potato, Lettuce, Carrot, Bean (bush), Cucumber, Zucchini, Winter Squash, Beet, Radish, Sweet Corn, Cilantro, Zinnia, Sunflower, Cosmos, Dill, Swiss Chard, Parsnip, Okra, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Nasturtium, Calendula, Borage, Pumpkin, Green Onion, Bok Choy, Fennel, Shallot, Kohlrabi, Chamomile
- Transplant: Tomato, Pepper, Kale, Broccoli, Sweet Potato, Cabbage, Basil, Marigold, Mint, Parsley, Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Eggplant, Leek, Celery, Lavender, Hot Pepper, Tomatillo, Collard Greens
- Plant tubers: Dahlia
Harvesting: Lettuce, Carrot, Pea, Kale, Broccoli, Beet, Cabbage, Basil, Cilantro, Sunflower, Rhubarb, Parsley, Dill, Swiss Chard, Nasturtium, Calendula, Borage, Green Onion, Collard Greens, Bok Choy, Kohlrabi, Chamomile
July in Zone 6
- Start seeds indoors: Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Basil, Marigold, Parsley, Cauliflower, Collard Greens
- Direct sow: Potato, Lettuce, Carrot, Bean (bush), Pea, Cucumber, Zucchini, Winter Squash, Beet, Sweet Corn, Cilantro, Zinnia, Sunflower, Cosmos, Dill, Swiss Chard, Parsnip, Okra, Nasturtium, Calendula, Borage, Pumpkin, Green Onion, Bok Choy, Fennel, Shallot, Kohlrabi, Chamomile
- Transplant: Tomato, Pepper, Kale, Broccoli, Sweet Potato, Cabbage, Basil, Marigold, Strawberry, Parsley, Eggplant, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Leek, Celery, Hot Pepper, Tomatillo, Collard Greens
- Plant tubers: Dahlia
Harvesting: Tomato, Pepper, Potato, Onion, Garlic, Bean (bush), Cucumber, Zucchini, Winter Squash, Kale, Sweet Corn, Basil, Zinnia, Sunflower, Marigold, Cosmos, Strawberry, Mint, Parsley, Dill, Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Chives, Swiss Chard, Leek, Okra, Nasturtium, Calendula, Borage, Pumpkin, Hot Pepper, Collard Greens, Fennel, Shallot, Chamomile, Cherry, Apricot
August in Zone 6
- Start seeds indoors: Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Collard Greens
- Direct sow: Lettuce, Carrot, Bean (bush), Pea, Cucumber, Zucchini, Spinach, Beet, Radish, Cilantro, Zinnia, Sunflower, Dill, Swiss Chard, Turnip, Nasturtium, Calendula, Borage, Green Onion, Bok Choy, Fennel, Shallot, Kohlrabi, Chamomile
- Transplant: Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Basil, Marigold, Strawberry, Parsley, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Collard Greens
Harvesting: Tomato, Pepper, Potato, Onion, Garlic, Cucumber, Zucchini, Winter Squash, Basil, Dahlia, Zinnia, Marigold, Cosmos, Strawberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Blackberry, Mint, Parsley, Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Chives, Eggplant, Swiss Chard, Leek, Parsnip, Celery, Okra, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Nasturtium, Calendula, Borage, Lavender, Pumpkin, Hot Pepper, Tomatillo, Collard Greens, Shallot, Chamomile, Peach, Plum, Apricot
September in Zone 6
- Start seeds indoors: Kale
- Direct sow: Lettuce, Carrot, Pea, Spinach, Beet, Radish, Cilantro, Dill, Swiss Chard, Turnip, Arugula, Calendula, Borage, Green Onion, Bok Choy, Shallot, Kohlrabi, Chamomile
- Transplant: Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Strawberry, Parsley, Collard Greens
Harvesting: Tomato, Pepper, Potato, Lettuce, Pea, Kale, Broccoli, Radish, Sweet Potato, Basil, Dahlia, Zinnia, Marigold, Cosmos, Blueberry, Raspberry, Blackberry, Grape, Mint, Parsley, Dill, Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Chives, Eggplant, Swiss Chard, Cauliflower, Leek, Parsnip, Celery, Okra, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Nasturtium, Borage, Lavender, Hot Pepper, Tomatillo, Kohlrabi, Apple, Pear, Peach, Plum
October in Zone 6
Harvesting: Potato, Pea, Kale, Spinach, Broccoli, Sweet Potato, Cilantro, Dahlia, Marigold, Cosmos, Strawberry, Blackberry, Grape, Mint, Dill, Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Chives, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Turnip, Parsnip, Arugula, Borage, Lavender, Hot Pepper, Apple, Pear
November in Zone 6
Harvesting: Kale, Spinach, Cilantro, Strawberry, Mint, Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Chives, Brussels Sprouts, Turnip, Parsnip, Borage
December in Zone 6
- Plant bulbs: Tulip
Harvesting: Strawberry, Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Borage
Any month: January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December
What to plant and when in Massachusetts
| Crop | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | May 17 | July 23 |
| Pepper | May 17 | July 24 |
| Potato | April 21 | July 20 |
| Onion | April 11 | July 20 |
| Garlic | October 10 | July 18 |
| Lettuce | March 26 | May 16 |
| Carrot | March 24 | June 3 |
| Bean (bush) | May 10 | July 5 |
| Pea | March 26 | May 26 |
| Cucumber | May 17 | July 9 |
| Zucchini | May 10 | July 3 |
| Winter Squash | May 15 | July 24 |
| Kale | March 23 | May 24 |
| Spinach | March 23 | May 9 |
| Broccoli | April 3 | June 8 |
| Beet | April 7 | June 2 |
| Radish | March 20 | April 18 |
| Sweet Corn | May 10 | July 14 |
| Sweet Potato | May 17 | September 18 |
| Cabbage | March 28 | June 7 |
| Basil | May 17 | June 23 |
| Cilantro | March 29 | May 19 |
| Dahlia | May 6 | August 6 |
| Zinnia | May 17 | July 18 |
| Sunflower | April 7 | June 27 |
| Marigold | May 18 | July 8 |
| Tulip | October 9 | May 1 |
| Cosmos | May 17 | July 28 |
| Strawberry | April 10 | July 11 |
| Blueberry | April 3 | August 3 |
| Raspberry | April 18 | August 15 |
| Blackberry | April 10 | August 20 |
| Asparagus | April 10 | April 12 |
| Rhubarb | April 3 | April 5 |
| Grape | April 10 | September 9 |
| Fig | Not suited | |
| Mint | April 24 | July 25 |
| Parsley | April 7 | June 22 |
| Dill | April 7 | June 2 |
| Thyme | April 24 | July 25 |
| Rosemary | Not suited | |
| Oregano | April 24 | July 25 |
| Sage | April 24 | July 25 |
| Chives | April 10 | July 1 |
| Eggplant | May 28 | August 1 |
| Swiss Chard | March 24 | May 19 |
| Cauliflower | July 21 | September 29 |
| Brussels Sprouts | July 9 | October 17 |
| Leek | March 29 | July 27 |
| Turnip | March 15 | May 5 |
| Parsnip | April 12 | August 7 |
| Celery | April 27 | August 21 |
| Arugula | March 14 | April 19 |
| Okra | May 28 | July 29 |
| Cantaloupe | May 17 | August 12 |
| Watermelon | May 28 | August 19 |
| Nasturtium | May 10 | June 29 |
| Calendula | March 28 | May 19 |
| Borage | April 7 | June 2 |
| Lavender | April 24 | August 24 |
| Pumpkin | May 15 | July 24 |
| Hot Pepper | May 18 | July 28 |
| Green Onion | March 23 | May 24 |
| Tomatillo | May 17 | August 1 |
| Collard Greens | March 25 | May 27 |
| Bok Choy | April 7 | May 23 |
| Fennel | April 22 | July 4 |
| Shallot | April 11 | July 20 |
| Kohlrabi | March 24 | May 19 |
| Chamomile | April 7 | June 12 |
| Apple | April 3 | September 2 |
| Pear | April 3 | September 2 |
| Peach | April 10 | August 10 |
| Plum | April 3 | August 23 |
| Cherry | April 3 | July 4 |
| Apricot | April 10 | July 31 |
| Lemon | Not suited | |
| Orange | Not suited | |
These dates use Zone 6 as a representative for Massachusetts. Your town may run a zone warmer or cooler, so Dibble pins the dates to your garden's own location.
Planting seasons in Massachusetts
Spring planting in Massachusetts
Zone 6's last spring frost lands around April 25. Spring in Massachusetts is the crowded season: the last of the indoor starts, the first direct sowings once the soil can be worked, and the transplants that go out after the frost date passes.
- Start seeds indoors: Tomato, Pepper, Onion, Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Parsley, Oregano, Sage, Chives, Eggplant, Leek, Celery, Hot Pepper, Collard Greens, Basil, Marigold, Tomatillo, Brussels Sprouts
- Direct sow: Lettuce, Carrot, Pea, Spinach, Radish, Cilantro, Swiss Chard, Turnip, Arugula, Calendula, Green Onion, Kohlrabi, Potato, Beet, Sunflower, Dill, Parsnip, Borage, Bok Choy, Fennel, Shallot, Chamomile, Bean (bush), Cucumber, Zucchini, Winter Squash, Sweet Corn, Zinnia, Cosmos, Okra, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Nasturtium, Pumpkin
- Transplant: Kale, Cabbage, Leek, Collard Greens, Onion, Broccoli, Strawberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Blackberry, Asparagus, Rhubarb, Grape, Mint, Parsley, Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Chives, Celery, Lavender, Apple, Pear, Peach, Plum, Cherry, Apricot, Tomato, Pepper, Sweet Potato, Basil, Marigold, Eggplant, Hot Pepper, Tomatillo
- Plant tubers: Dahlia
Summer planting in Massachusetts
Summer in Massachusetts is succession sowing and the start of the fall garden. Quick crops go in every few weeks, and the cool-season crops for autumn are started while it is still hot.
- Start seeds indoors: Tomato, Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Basil, Marigold, Parsley, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Tomatillo, Collard Greens
- Direct sow: Potato, Lettuce, Carrot, Bean (bush), Cucumber, Zucchini, Winter Squash, Beet, Radish, Sweet Corn, Cilantro, Zinnia, Sunflower, Cosmos, Dill, Swiss Chard, Parsnip, Okra, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Nasturtium, Calendula, Borage, Pumpkin, Green Onion, Bok Choy, Fennel, Shallot, Kohlrabi, Chamomile, Pea, Spinach, Turnip
- Transplant: Tomato, Pepper, Kale, Broccoli, Sweet Potato, Cabbage, Basil, Marigold, Mint, Parsley, Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Eggplant, Leek, Celery, Lavender, Hot Pepper, Tomatillo, Collard Greens, Strawberry, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts
- Plant tubers: Dahlia
Fall planting in Massachusetts
Zone 6's first fall frost lands around October 21. Fall planting in Massachusetts means cool-season crops that finish before it, garlic and other bulbs that go in for next year, and anything hardy enough to overwinter.
Winter in Massachusetts
Winter in Massachusetts is when next year's garden gets planned and the seed order goes in. Toward the end of it the earliest indoor starts begin, counted back from the last spring frost.
These seasons are for Zone 6. For every zone, see what to plant in spring, summer, fall and winter, or what to plant now.
Massachusetts frost dates
The last spring frost and first fall frost anchor every planting date here. See Massachusetts frost dates by zone.
Find your exact zone in Massachusetts
Massachusetts spans Zones 5 to 7. Pick the zone that matches your area for a full planting calendar:
Plant at the right time this season
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