When to plant in Gardner, MA
USDA Zone 5bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Gardner, Massachusetts — all computed from Gardner's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 5b means Gardner sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
ASHBURNHAM · 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 Gardner’s own odds, recorded at ASHBURNHAM.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 27 | May 14 | Apr 30 | Sep 22 | Oct 2 | Oct 15 |
| 32°F | May 16 | May 2 | Apr 19 | Oct 1 | Oct 13 | Oct 30 |
| 28°F | May 3 | Apr 18 | Apr 4 | Oct 9 | Oct 25 | Nov 10 |
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 Gardner, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 12 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.
Gardner planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Gardner, MA?
On average, the last spring frost in Gardner is around May 2 (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 Gardner, MA?
Expect Gardner's first fall frost near October 13 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Gardner in?
Gardner is in USDA hardiness zone 5b. In zone 5b, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Gardner?
There are roughly 164 frost-free days in Gardner (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around May 2 to the first fall frost near October 13.
When should I plant tomatoes in Gardner?
In Gardner, start tomato seeds indoors around March 7–March 21, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 9 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Gardner
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Gardner’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Fitchburg · 14 km
- Leominster · 19 km
- Worcester · 38 km
- Hudson · 41 km
- Marlborough · 45 km
- Nashua · 45 km
- Maynard · 47 km
- Keene · 49 km
Frost dates recorded at ASHBURNHAM, 7 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 Gardner, MA — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00190190. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/massachusetts/gardner.