When to plant in Gloucester, MA
USDA Zone 7aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Gloucester, Massachusetts — all computed from Gloucester's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 7a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Gloucester, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
BEVERLY · 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 Gloucester’s own odds, recorded at BEVERLY.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 26 | May 15 | May 3 | Sep 19 | Oct 1 | Oct 14 |
| 32°F | May 17 | May 4 | Apr 24 | Oct 1 | Oct 12 | Oct 28 |
| 28°F | May 5 | Apr 23 | Apr 9 | Oct 10 | Oct 25 | Nov 8 |
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 Gloucester, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 20 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.
Gloucester planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Gloucester, MA?
Gloucester's average last spring frost falls near May 4 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Gloucester, MA?
The first fall frost in Gloucester typically arrives around October 12 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Gloucester in?
Gloucester is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. In zone 7a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Gloucester?
There are roughly 161 frost-free days in Gloucester (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around May 4 to the first fall frost near October 12.
When should I plant tomatoes in Gloucester?
In Gloucester, start tomato seeds indoors around March 9–March 23, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 11 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Gloucester
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Gloucester’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Beverly · 15 km
- Marblehead · 19 km
- Danvers · 22 km
- Salem · 23 km
- Swampscott · 25 km
- Peabody · 25 km
- Newburyport · 26 km
- Lynn · 28 km
Frost dates recorded at BEVERLY, 13 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 Gloucester, MA — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00190593. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/massachusetts/gloucester.