When to Plant Tomatoes in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, the time to transplant tomatoes outside runs from Apr 11 – Apr 25 in Boston to May 12 – May 26 in Pittsfield. In Boston, it's Apr 11 – Apr 25. The average last spring frost differs by about 4 weeks across the state (Apr 4 in Boston, May 5 in Pittsfield), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Tomatoes planting dates in Massachusetts by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town | 6a | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Attleboro | 6b | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Barnstable Town | 7a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Beverly | 6b | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Boston | 7a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Braintree Town | 6b | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Brockton | 6b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Cambridge | 6b | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Chelsea | 7a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Chicopee | 6a | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Everett | 7a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Fall River | 7a | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Fitchburg | 6a | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Framingham | 6b | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Haverhill | 6a | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Holyoke | 6a | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Lawrence | 6b | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Leominster | 6a | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Lowell | 6b | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Lynn | 7a | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Malden | 6b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Marlborough | 6b | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Medford | 6b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Methuen | 6b | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| New Bedford | 7a | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Newton | 6b | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Peabody | 6b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Pittsfield | 5b | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Quincy | 7a | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Revere | 7a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Salem | 7a | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Somerville | 7a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Springfield | 6a | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Taunton | 6b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Waltham | 6b | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Watertown | 6b | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Westfield | 6a | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Weymouth Town | 6b | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Woburn | 6b | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Worcester | 6a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Massachusetts, or the general guide to when to plant tomatoes.
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