What Zone Is Massachusetts For Gardening

Knowing your plant hardiness zone helps you to figure out what can survive in your garden. Massachusetts is geographically diverse and covers several different plant zones.

So, what zone is Massachusetts for plants? Plant hardiness zones in Massachusetts include 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, and 7b. Western Massachusetts includes plant hardiness zones 5a, 5b, and 6a, with temperatures down to -10 degrees Fahrenheit (-23 degrees Celsius) or lower. Eastern Massachusetts includes plant hardiness zones 6b, 7a, and 7b, where temperatures do not go below -5 degrees Fahrenheit (–21 degrees Celsius).

Of course, there are pockets of warmer or colder areas within some parts of the state.

In this article, we'll talk about the plant hardiness zones in Massachusetts and in some of the major cities. We'll also discuss what the zones mean in terms of temperature and planting.

Let's get started.

What Zone Is Massachusetts For Plants?

The 6 plant hardiness zones in Massachusetts include everything from 5a (coldest temperature of -20 degrees Fahrenheit) to 7b (coldest temperature of 5 degrees Fahrenheit). This provides a vast range of climates in the state of Massachusetts.

map of Massachusetts — Massachusetts boasts a range of plant hardiness zones from 5a to 7b.

Areas of Massachusetts close to the Atlantic Ocean (Cape Cod and the South Shore) tend to have warmer climates (Zones 6b, 7a, and 7b).

Areas in Western Massachusetts close to New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York tend to have cooler climates (Zones 5a, 5b, and 6a).

The following table gives the climate zones or temperature ranges (in degrees Fahrenheit and degrees Celsius) for each of the 6 plant hardiness zones found in Massachusetts.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone	Minimum Temperature Range (Fahrenheit)	Minimum Temperature Range (Celsius)
5a	-20 to -15	-29 to -26
5b	-15 to -10	-26 to -23
6a	-10 to -5	-23 to -21
6b	-5 to 0	-21 to -18
7a	0 to 5	-18 to -15
7b	5 to 10	-15 to -12

Plant hardiness zones and minimum
temperature ranges for Massachusetts

Knowing your plant hardiness zone in Massachusetts helps you to figure out which plants will survive winter in your area.

The USDA made some changes to the Plant Hardiness Zone map in 2012, including the addition of zones 12 and 13 (no need to worry about those in Massachusetts!)

Remember that certain terrain features can affect the temperature in an area, including:

Elevation (hills and valleys)
Water (close to a lake or ocean)

hills of Worcester, Massachusetts — The hills in Worcester and other parts of Massachusetts add to the state's climate diversity.

According to the University of Massachusetts, a small area (such as a garden) can contain a microclimate. A microclimate might have minimum temperatures that are higher or lower than those in the surrounding area.

For example, a sunny garden location in Zone 6b (such as Boston) might allow plants that are rated for Zone 7a to survive. This is especially true if you keep the plants in a greenhouse, which can keep them several degrees warmer.

(You can learn more about how to protect plants from cold and frost on my resource page here).

On the other hand, an open area with a low elevation (where cold settles) in Boston could make it difficult to grow plants rated for Zone 6b.

A low-lying area in Western Massachusetts could easily dip below -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 degrees Celsius) in winter.

What Planting Zone Is Central Massachusetts?

Most of central Massachusetts falls into plant hardiness zones 5b or 6a. This means these areas have a minimum temperature of -15 degrees Fahrenheit (-26 degrees Celsius) for Zone 5b or a minimum temperature of -10 degrees Fahrenheit (-23 degrees Celsius) for Zone 6a.

Central Massachusetts includes the city of Worcester (the 2nd most populous city in the state).

What Planting Zone Is Worcester, MA?

Worcester, Massachusetts is in plant hardiness zones 5b and 6a. The growing season in Worcester is 167 days long (about 5.5 months).

Some southern parts of the city into the center of Worcester are in the colder Zone 5b, with a minimum temperature of -15 degrees Fahrenheit (-26 degrees Celsius).

downtown Worcester, Massachusetts — Worcester, Massachusetts includes plant hardiness zones 5b and 6a.

The northern and eastern parts of the city, along with some parts of western Worcester, are in the warmer Zone 6a, with a minimum temperature of -10 degrees Fahrenheit (-23 degrees Celsius).

You can see a more detailed map of the plant hardiness zones in Worcester, Massachusetts on PlantMaps.

Of course, with its hilly terrain (including Mount Saint James at the College of the Holy Cross), Worcester is sure to have lots of different microclimates. This is especially true if you go to the trouble of creating your own microclimate!

Some of these microclimate areas could certainly dip below -15 degrees Fahrenheit in winter.

What Planting Zone is Boston, MA?

Boston, Massachusetts is in plant hardiness zones 6b and 7a. The growing season in Boston is 206 days long (about 7 months), which is 39 days longer than Worcester's growing season.

The western part of Boston (including the parts bordering Newton, Needham, Dedham, and Milton) is in the cooler Zone 6b, with a minimum temperature of -5 degrees Fahrenheit (-21 degrees Celsius).

skyline of Boston Massachusetts — Boston, Massachusetts includes plant hardiness zones 6b (inland) and 7a (on the shore).

The eastern part of Boston (closest to the Atlantic Ocean, including the parts bordering Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop) is in the warmer Zone 7a, with a minimum temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius).

You can see a more detailed map of the plant hardiness zones in Boston, Massachusetts on PlantMaps.

If you are landscaping in Zone 7, you might like to read my article on Zone 7 perennials.

Of course, Boston is much closer to the ocean than Worcester, and so it is much warmer on average. Boston also boasts a much longer growing season than Worcester.

If you live near the water and keep your plants in a greenhouse with proper cold protection, you might be able to keep plants alive outdoors in Boston that are rated for Zones 6a or colder.

What Planting Zone Is Plymouth, MA?

Plymouth, Massachusetts is in plant hardiness Zone 6b, with a minimum temperature of -5 degrees Fahrenheit (-21 degrees Celsius). The city borders the Atlantic Ocean, making Plymouth's minimum temperature higher than most of the rest of Massachusetts.

Plymouth historic district — Plymouth is in plant hardiness zone 6b, with a growing season of 157 days.

The growing season in Plymouth is 157 days long (about 5 months), which is 10 days shorter than Worcester's growing season.

You can see a more detailed map of the plant hardiness zones in Boston, Massachusetts on PlantMaps.

The only parts of Massachusetts that are warmer than Plymouth are Cape Cod and a small area south of New Bedford, which are in plant hardiness zones 7a or 7b.

What Are The First & Last Frost Dates In Massachusetts?

It is also important to know the first and last frost dates for your location. This will help you to figure out things like:

When to start seeds indoors
When to plant seeds outdoors
When to transplant outdoors
When to cover plants to protect from frost (fall or spring)

Of course, the exact dates will depend on what you are planting. Some crops (like tomatoes) should be started from seed indoors and transplanted outdoors well after the last spring frost date.

Other crops (such as peas) can be planted directly in the soil outdoors, and they will survive in cool weather.

The table below gives dates for last spring frost and first fall frost in various cities in Massachusetts.

City	Last Spring Frost Date	First Fall Frost Date
Boston	April 10	November 3
Brockton	May 8	October 4
Fall River	April 19	October 30
Lowell	May 6	October 4
Lynn	April 30	October 9
New Bedford	April 18	October 25
Pittsfield	May 14	September 30
Plymouth	May 6	October 11
Revere	April 10	November 3
Springfield	May 8	October 2
Worcester	April 28	October 13

First and last frost dates for cities in Massachusetts.

You can look up first and last frost dates by city or zip code with this resource from the Old Farmer's Almanac.

Conclusion

Now you know which plant hardiness zones are in Massachusetts. You also have a better idea of where the major cities fall, and what zone you live in.

I hope you found this article helpful. If so, please share it with someone who can use the information.

If you want to read some of my most popular posts, check out the "Best of GreenUpSide" page here. Enjoy!

~Jonathon