When to plant in Amherst Town, MA
USDA Zone 6aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Amherst Town, Massachusetts — all computed from Amherst Town's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 6a, Amherst Town gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
AMHERST · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Amherst Town’s own odds, recorded at AMHERST.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 30 | May 17 | May 3 | Sep 17 | Sep 30 | Oct 11 |
| 32°F | May 19 | May 5 | Apr 23 | Sep 28 | Oct 8 | Oct 23 |
| 28°F | May 7 | Apr 23 | Apr 9 | Oct 6 | Oct 21 | Nov 4 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Amherst Town, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 16 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Amherst Town planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Amherst Town, MA?
On average, the last spring frost in Amherst Town is around May 5 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Amherst Town, MA?
Expect Amherst Town's first fall frost near October 8 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Amherst Town in?
Amherst Town is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. In zone 6a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Amherst Town?
Amherst Town has about 156 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (October 8).
When should I plant tomatoes in Amherst Town?
For Amherst Town, sow tomatoes indoors about March 10–March 24 and move the seedlings out around May 12, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Amherst Town
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Amherst Town’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Northampton · 14 km
- Easthampton · 17 km
- Holyoke · 20 km
- Chicopee · 21 km
- Palmer Town · 25 km
- Springfield · 28 km
- Greenfield · 29 km
- West Springfield Town · 29 km
Frost dates recorded at AMHERST, 4 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Amherst Town, MA — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00190120. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/massachusetts/amherst-town.