Planting calendar for Boston, Massachusetts

Dates from 30 years of records at the Boston Logan Intl Airport weather station, 2.5 miles from Boston, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Boston at a glance

Weather station: Boston Logan Intl Airport · 2.5 mi
USDA zone: 7a
Last spring frost: typically Apr 4; 1 year in 10 after Apr 17
First fall frost: typically Nov 9; 1 year in 10 before Oct 29
Frost-free season: about 219 days
Hottest month: July: highs 82°F, nights 66°F
Coldest month: January: highs 37°F, nights 23°F
Rain: 44 in. a year, most in March, October and December

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Boston typically comes around Apr 4, but 1 year in 10 it comes after Apr 17. The first fall frost typically arrives around Nov 9. That leaves about 219 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Summers are mild, with highs around 82°F in July, so cool-season crops last longer here than in hotter places: leaf lettuce is best planted Mar 22–Apr 19, Jul 29–Sep 22.

Boston gets about 44 inches of rain a year, most of it in March, October and December.

161 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 13 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Boston, month by month

January0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Celeriac (celery root), Leek, Onion (bulbing), Lavender, Parsley, Snapdragon, Stock

February4

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Kale, Shallot

Flowers: Larkspur, Pansy / viola

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cardoon, Cauliflower, Celery, Lettuce (romaine & head), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Catnip, Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lovage, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice

March62

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Fava bean, Fennel (bulb), Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Lovage, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Blackberry, Fig, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Garden cress, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Potato, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Catnip, Lemon balm, Mint, Blueberry

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Winter savory, Ground cherry, Strawflower

April49

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Asparagus, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Garden cress, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Potato, Radish, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Tomato (early / short-season)

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Catnip, Chervil, Chives, Cilantro, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Oregano, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory

Fruit: Fig, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Artichoke, Beet, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Fennel (bulb), Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Napa / Chinese cabbage, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radicchio, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress, Caraway, Chamomile, Dill, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Parsley, Rosemary, Blackberry, Blueberry, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Black-eyed Susan, Larkspur, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Malabar spinach, Onion (bulbing), Sweet potato, Tomatillo, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Basil, Marjoram, Shiso (perilla), Cucamelon / mouse melon, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native)

May43

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Garden cress, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Purslane, Radish, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Epazote, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Oregano, Papalo, Rosemary, Shiso (perilla)

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Watermelon

Flowers: Milkweed (native), Purple coneflower (echinacea)

Can also plant

Arugula, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Salsify, Shallot, Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Caraway, Chamomile, Chives, Cuban oregano, Dill, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Parsley, Sage, Stevia, Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory, Blackberry, Blueberry, Fig, Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, California poppy, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Ginger, Leek, Malabar spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Sweet potato, Tomato (slicing), Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon

June37

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Celery, Ginger, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Potato, Pumpkin, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet potato, Winged bean, Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Culantro, Lemon verbena, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Stevia, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Fruit: Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Purslane, Rutabaga, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Turnip, Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Malabar spinach, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Basil, Parsley, Marigold, Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower

July49

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Brussels sprouts, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Edamame, Eggplant, Endive & escarole, Fennel (bulb), Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Malabar spinach, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Potato, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Borage, Cuban oregano

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, California poppy, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Daikon radish, Garden cress, Ginger, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Moringa, Mustard greens, New Zealand spinach, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Purslane, Radish, Rutabaga, Spinach, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Basil, Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Culantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Lemongrass, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Stevia, Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Calendula, Pansy / viola, Statice, Stock, Strawflower

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Basil, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower

August56

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Purslane, Radish, Rutabaga, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season)

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Nasturtium, Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Kale, Kohlrabi, Mache (corn salad), Spinach, Turnip, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Ground cherry, Annual salvia, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Stock, Zinnia

September26

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Beet, Broccoli raab (rapini), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Chervil, Cilantro, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Calendula, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

October4

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic, Radish, Spinach

November2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

December0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Pansy / viola

Every crop that grows in Boston

161 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	May 22–Jun 5, Aug 22–Sep 2	Jun 6–Aug 21	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	May 6–20, Jul 21–Aug 10	May 21–Jul 20	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Mar 21–Apr 4	Apr 5–May 2	Jan 17–31	Set out plants
Arugula	Mar 21–Apr 27, Aug 5–Oct 2	Feb 21–Mar 20, Apr 28–May 27, Jun 28–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Mar 11–Apr 8	Mar 7–10, Apr 9–May 2	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	May 6–20, Aug 4–25	May 21–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	May 6–20, Jun 30–Jul 21	May 21–Jun 29	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	May 22–Jun 5, Jul 6–26	Jun 6–Jul 5	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	May 6–20, Jul 25–Aug 15	May 21–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Mar 7–28, Aug 20–Sep 10	Mar 29–Aug 19	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	May 6–20, Jul 23–Aug 13	May 21–Jul 22	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Mar 24–Apr 14, Aug 4–Sep 3	Mar 21–23, Apr 15–30, Jul 1–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	Jun 9–23	Jun 24–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Mar 7–21, Aug 13–Sep 2	Mar 22–May 26, Jun 12–Aug 12	Jan 24–Feb 7, Jul 2–22	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Mar 18–Apr 16, Aug 3–Sep 20	Mar 7–17, Apr 17–May 10, Jun 20–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Mar 7–21, Jul 25–Aug 15	Mar 22–Jul 24	Jan 24–Feb 7, Jun 13–Jul 4	Set out plants
Cabbage	Feb 28–Mar 14, Jul 31–Aug 21	Mar 15–Jul 30	Jan 17–31, Jun 19–Jul 10	Set out plants
Cardoon	Apr 4–18	Apr 19–Jun 27	Jan 31–Feb 14	Set out plants
Carrot	Mar 14–Apr 4, Aug 10–31	Apr 5–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Mar 14–28, Jul 30–Aug 19	Mar 29–Jul 29	Jan 31–Feb 14, Jun 18–Jul 8	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Apr 4–18, Jun 26–Jul 17	Apr 19–Jun 25	Jan 17–31, Apr 10–May 1	Set out plants
Celery	Apr 20–May 4, Jun 22–Jul 13	May 5–Jun 21	Feb 2–16, Apr 6–27	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Apr 4–18	Apr 19–Jul 10	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Mar 14–Apr 4, Aug 18–Sep 7	Apr 5–Aug 17	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Mar 7–21, Aug 24–Sep 14	Mar 22–Aug 23	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	May 6–20, Jul 28–Aug 18	May 21–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	May 6–20, Jul 26–Aug 15	May 21–Jul 25	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Mar 14–28, Aug 20–Sep 10	Mar 29–May 18, Jun 24–Aug 19	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	May 22–Jun 5, Jul 8–28	Jun 6–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	May 22–Jun 5, Jul 11–31	Jun 6–Jul 10	Mar 20–Apr 3, May 9–29	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Oct 19–Nov 23	—	—	Sow seeds
Endive & escarole	Mar 14–28, Jul 12–Aug 2	Mar 29–Apr 21, Jun 24–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Fava bean	Mar 1–15	Mar 16–Apr 3	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Mar 21–Apr 4, Jul 22–Aug 12	Apr 5–May 10, Jun 15–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Apr 4–May 12, Aug 22–Oct 6	Mar 21–Apr 3, May 13–Jun 12, Jul 14–Aug 21	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Oct 19–Nov 23	—	—	Sow seeds
Ginger	Jun 18–Jul 4	Jun 9–17, Jul 5–11	Apr 30–May 16	Set out plants
Green onion / scallion	Mar 7–21	Mar 22–May 2	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Feb 21–Mar 14, Sep 6–26	Mar 15–Sep 5	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Mar 7–21, Aug 28–Sep 17	Mar 22–Aug 27	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Apr 4–20, Jul 22–Sep 25	Apr 21–Jun 7, Jun 18–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Mar 7–21, Jul 15–Aug 5	Mar 22–Jul 14	Jan 3–17, May 13–Jun 3	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Mar 22–Apr 19, Jul 29–Sep 22	Mar 7–21, Apr 20–May 20, Jun 21–Jul 28	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Mar 15–Apr 9, Jul 25–Sep 5	Mar 14, Apr 10–May 1, Jun 10–Jul 24	Feb 8–Mar 5, Jun 20–Aug 1	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	Jun 9–26	—	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Mar 9–31, Sep 2–Oct 4	Mar 7–8, Apr 1–16, Jul 27–Sep 1	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	Jun 9–23, Jul 18–27	Jun 24–Jul 17	Apr 21–May 5, May 30–Jun 8	Set out plants
Moringa	Jun 9–23	Jun 24–Jul 20	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Mar 19–Apr 21, Aug 5–Sep 30	Feb 21–Mar 18, Apr 22–May 15, Jun 25–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Jul 8–Aug 31	Mar 21–May 6, Jun 6–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	May 6–20, Jul 28–Aug 17	May 21–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	Jun 9–23	Jun 24–Aug 4	—	Set out plants
Okra	Jun 9–23, Jul 26–Aug 2	Jun 24–Jul 25	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Mar 23–Apr 11, May 30–Jul 27	Feb 21–Mar 22, Apr 12–May 29	Jan 5–24, Mar 14–May 11	Set out plants
Parsnip	Mar 14–Apr 4	Apr 5–Jul 31	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Mar 1–15, Aug 18–Sep 7	Mar 16–Aug 17	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Mar 1–15, Aug 18–Sep 7	Mar 16–Aug 17	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	May 12–26, Jul 3–24	May 27–Jul 2	Mar 10–24, May 1–22	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	May 6–20, Jul 13–Aug 3	May 21–Jul 12	Mar 4–18, May 11–Jun 1	Set out plants
Popcorn	May 6–13	May 14–Jul 8	—	Sow seeds
Potato	Apr 4–20, Jun 7–Jul 23	Mar 19–Apr 3, Apr 21–Jun 6	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	May 6–20, Jun 8–29	May 21–Jun 7	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	May 22–Jun 5, Aug 3–24	Jun 6–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Mar 7–14	Mar 15–Apr 25	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Mar 24–May 7, Aug 22–Oct 14	Feb 28–Mar 23, May 8–Jun 9, Jul 12–Aug 21	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Mar 7–Apr 4	Apr 5–May 2	—	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Mar 7–21, Jul 30–Aug 20	Mar 22–Apr 12, Jun 11–Jul 29	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	Mar 14–Apr 4, Jun 6–27	Apr 5–Jun 5	—	Sow seeds
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza	Jun 9–26	—	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Feb 21–Mar 7, Jul 20–Aug 10	Mar 8–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	Jun 9–23, Jul 8–23	Jun 24–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Feb 25–Apr 5, Aug 26–Oct 9	Feb 21–24, Apr 6–May 4, Jul 5–Aug 25	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	May 6–20, Jul 31–Aug 20	May 21–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Apr 9–30	Mar 19–Apr 8	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	May 6–13, Jul 13–Aug 2	May 14–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	Jun 9–29	—	Apr 21–May 11	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Mar 14–Apr 4, Aug 25–Sep 15	Apr 5–Aug 24	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	May 6–20	May 21–Jul 31	Mar 25–Apr 8	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	May 6–20, Jul 28–Aug 17	May 21–Jul 27	Mar 18–Apr 1, Jun 9–29	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Apr 20–27, Aug 2–22	Apr 28–Aug 1	Mar 2–9, Jun 14–Jul 4	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	May 22–Jun 5, Jul 15–Aug 4	Jun 6–Jul 14	Apr 3–17, May 27–Jun 16	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	May 6–20, Jul 15–Aug 5	May 21–Jul 14	Mar 18–Apr 1, May 27–Jun 17	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	May 6–20, Jul 13–Aug 2	May 21–Jul 12	Mar 18–Apr 1, May 25–Jun 14	Set out plants
Turnip	Mar 7–21, Aug 30–Sep 20	Mar 22–Aug 29	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Mar 14–28	Mar 29–May 9	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	Jun 9–26	—	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	May 22–Jun 5, Jun 8–29	—	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	May 6–20, Jun 18–Jul 9	May 21–Jun 17	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	Jun 9–23, Jul 13–23	Jun 24–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	Apr 7–May 5	Apr 4–6, May 6–30	Feb 21–Mar 21	Set out plants
Basil	May 22–29, Jul 26–Aug 15	May 30–Jul 25	Apr 17–24, Jun 21–Jul 11	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	Apr 4–May 2	May 3–30	Feb 14–Mar 14	Set out plants
Borage	Apr 18–May 9, Jul 7–Sep 1	Mar 28–Apr 17, May 10–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Mar 14–28, Jul 31–Aug 21	Mar 29–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Mar 29–Apr 19	Mar 21–28, Apr 20–May 2	Feb 8–Mar 1	Set out plants
Chamomile	Mar 7–21, Aug 15–Sep 5	Mar 22–Aug 14	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Mar 20–Apr 11, Aug 9–Sep 20	Mar 14–19, Apr 12–30, Jun 30–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Chives	Apr 4–May 1	May 2–30	Feb 14–Mar 13	Set out plants
Cilantro	Mar 23–Apr 11, Jul 30–Sep 12	Mar 21–22, Apr 12–May 4, Jun 20–Jul 29	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	Jun 19–Jul 17	May 22–Jun 18	—	Set out plants
Culantro	Jun 9–23, Jul 20–23	Jun 24–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Mar 21–28, Aug 16–Sep 6	Mar 29–Aug 15	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	May 6–20, Aug 9–30	May 21–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Apr 4–30, Aug 5–Sep 18	May 1–Jun 2, Jun 28–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Mar 31–Apr 28	Mar 28–30, Apr 29–May 23	Feb 10–Mar 10	Set out plants
Garlic chives	Apr 4–May 2	May 3–30	Feb 14–Mar 14	Set out plants
Lavender	Apr 11–29	Apr 30–May 30	Jan 24–Feb 11	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Apr 10–May 1	Mar 21–Apr 9, May 2	Mar 6–27	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	May 15–Jun 8	Apr 20–May 14	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	Jun 18–Jul 3	Jun 9–17, Jul 4–10	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Mar 21–Apr 11	Apr 12–May 2	Jan 31–Feb 21	Set out plants
Marjoram	May 15–Jun 8	Apr 20–May 14	Mar 27–Apr 20	Set out plants
Mint	Apr 6–27	Mar 21–Apr 5, Apr 28–May 2	—	Set out plants
Oregano	Apr 15–May 8	Apr 4–14, May 9–30	Feb 25–Mar 20	Set out plants
Papalo	May 22–Jun 5	Jun 6–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Mar 14–28, Jul 31–Aug 21	Mar 29–Jul 30	Jan 10–24, May 29–Jun 19	Set out plants
Rosemary	May 6–30	Apr 11–May 5	Feb 18–Mar 14	Set out plants
Sage	Apr 4–May 2	Mar 28–Apr 3, May 3–23	Feb 14–Mar 14	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	May 6–13	May 14–Aug 12	Apr 1–8	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Mar 25–Apr 22	Mar 14–24, Apr 23–May 9	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	Jun 11–Jul 5	May 22–Jun 10, Jul 6–10	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Apr 20–May 4	May 5–Aug 15	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Apr 4–May 2	May 3–30	—	Set out plants
Thyme	Apr 7–29	Apr 4–6, Apr 30–May 30	Feb 10–Mar 4	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	Jun 3–Jul 1	May 6–Jun 2	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Apr 8–May 6	Apr 4–7, May 7–30	Feb 18–Mar 18	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Mar 9–21	Mar 22–May 11	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Mar 9–14	Mar 15–May 25	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	May 22–Jun 5, Jul 1–21	Jun 6–30	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	May 6–20	May 21–Aug 5	Apr 1–15	Set out plants
Fig	Mar 14–Apr 11	Apr 12–May 23	—	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Mar 9–Apr 4	Apr 5–20	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	May 6–20	May 21–Aug 10	Mar 18–Apr 1	Set out plants
Raspberry	Mar 7–21	Mar 22–May 2	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Mar 24–Apr 21	Mar 7–23, Apr 22–May 2	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	May 22–Jun 5, Jun 28–Jul 19	Jun 6–27	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 9–Aug 6	May 6–Jun 8, Aug 7–30	Mar 31–May 28	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Mar 14–Apr 21, Jul 18–Sep 2	Mar 7–13, Apr 22–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	May 27–Jul 26	Apr 4–May 26, Jul 27–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Mar 25–Apr 30, Jul 26–Sep 17	Mar 21–24, May 1–Jul 25	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Mar 14–Apr 21, Jul 18–Sep 2	Mar 7–13, Apr 22–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	Jun 9–16, Jul 3–15	Jun 17–Jul 2	Apr 21–28, May 15–27	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	Jun 5–Jul 18	May 6–Jun 4, Jul 19–31	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Mar 19–Apr 8, Jun 15–Aug 11	Mar 7–18, Apr 9–Jun 14	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 12–Jul 20	May 22–Jun 11, Jul 21–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	Jun 12–Jul 20	May 22–Jun 11, Jul 21–Aug 7	Apr 24–Jun 1	Set out plants
Larkspur	Feb 21–Mar 14	Mar 15–Apr 27	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 9–Aug 3	May 6–Jun 8, Aug 4–25	Apr 21–Jun 15	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	May 2–30	Apr 4–May 1	Mar 28–Apr 25	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Jul 2–Aug 30	Apr 20–Jul 1	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Feb 21–Mar 14, Sep 12–Oct 2	Mar 15–May 19, Jul 20–Sep 11	Jun 27–Jul 17, Dec 6–27	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 29–Aug 3	Jun 9–28, Aug 4–18	Apr 27–Jun 1	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Apr 15–May 13	Apr 4–14, May 14–30	Jan 28–Feb 25	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Mar 7–21, Jul 21–Aug 11	Mar 22–Apr 29, May 20–Jul 20	Jan 3–17, May 19–Jun 9	Set out plants
Statice	Apr 4–18, Aug 1–22	Apr 19–Jul 31	Jan 31–Feb 14, May 30–Jun 20	Set out plants
Stock	Mar 21–Apr 4, Aug 30–Sep 20	Apr 5–May 24, Jun 30–Aug 29	Jan 17–31, Jun 28–Jul 19	Set out plants
Strawflower	Apr 20–May 4, Aug 9–29	May 5–Aug 8	Mar 2–16, Jun 21–Jul 11	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 7–Jul 17	May 6–Jun 6, Jul 18–26	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Mar 25–May 1, Jul 25–Sep 19	Mar 14–24, May 2–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Mar 1–29	Mar 30–May 4	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 13–Jul 23	May 22–Jun 12, Jul 24–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Boston

These need a climate Boston doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 23°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 23°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 23°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 23°F.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 219 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Muscadine grape: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 26°F; the coldest month here averages 23°F.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 23°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 23°F.
Peanut: The frost-free season (about 219 days) is shorter than the 130 days it needs.
Pigeon pea: The frost-free season (about 219 days) is shorter than the 150 days it needs.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 23°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 219 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 219 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Providence, RI 41 mi · last frost around Apr 11
Manchester, NH 48 mi · last frost around Apr 30
Portland, ME 98 mi · last frost around Apr 26
Bridgeport, CT 137 mi · last frost around Apr 5
Burlington, VT 182 mi · last frost around Apr 29
All Massachusetts cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Boston Logan Intl Airport station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).