When to plant in Lowell, MA
USDA Zone 6bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Lowell, Massachusetts — all computed from Lowell's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 6b means Lowell sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
LOWELL · 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 Lowell’s own odds, recorded at LOWELL.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 21 | May 9 | Apr 30 | Sep 21 | Oct 1 | Oct 12 |
| 32°F | May 10 | Apr 30 | Apr 19 | Sep 30 | Oct 10 | Oct 24 |
| 28°F | Apr 29 | Apr 18 | Apr 7 | Oct 9 | Oct 22 | Nov 5 |
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 Lowell, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 17 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.
Lowell planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Lowell, MA?
On average, the last spring frost in Lowell is around April 30 (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 Lowell, MA?
The first fall frost in Lowell typically arrives around October 10 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Lowell in?
Lowell is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. In zone 6b, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Lowell?
There are roughly 163 frost-free days in Lowell (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 30 to the first fall frost near October 10.
When should I plant tomatoes in Lowell?
In Lowell, start tomato seeds indoors around March 5–March 19, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 7 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Lowell
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Lowell’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Lawrence · 15 km
- Wilmington · 15 km
- Methuen · 16 km
- Burlington · 18 km
- Nashua · 18 km
- Reading · 21 km
- Woburn · 22 km
- Lexington · 23 km
Frost dates recorded at LOWELL, 3 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 Lowell, MA — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00194313. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/massachusetts/lowell.