Planting dates for Boston
Frost dates and sow windows from the 30-year record at Boston 72509, the official station 4 km from Boston, Massachusetts.
Sow and transplant events for the staples, straight from this page.
Key windows for Boston (2026)
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | February 21 | April 11 |
| Pepper | February 7 | April 18 |
| Peas | – | February 28 |
| Lettuce | February 7 | March 7 |
| Carrot | – | March 14 |
| Bush beans | – | April 11 |
| Garlic (longer than the average season; use short varieties) | – | Fall planted |
| Potato | – | March 21 |
Mean-date planning windows, not guarantees; watch the local forecast at the shoulders. Method on the methodology page.
Boston planting questions
When is the last frost in Boston?
Around April 4, the 30-year mean date of the last spring frost at Boston 72509, the official station 4 km from Boston. Half of years see frost after the mean, so tender crops usually wait a week or more past it.
When can I plant tomatoes in Boston?
Start seeds indoors around February 21 and transplant around April 11, once nights hold above 50F. The full 32-crop table on the planner computes every window for Boston.
How long is the growing season in Boston?
About 218 frost-free days on average, from roughly April 4 to November 9. Crops whose days-to-maturity exceed that window need transplants, short-season varieties, or season extension.
How this page was made
Every date above is computed from the NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals at Boston 72509: the 30-year mean dates of last spring and first fall frost, with crop offsets from standard horticultural practice. Full method and crop sources: data and methodology. These are planning averages, not forecasts: half of years frost later than the mean, so harden off transplants and watch the local forecast at the shoulders of the season.
More for Boston: winter tire dates. Need every crop, or a different place? The full calendar covers 32 crops at 2697 stations.