When to plant in Methuen, MA
USDA Zone 6bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Methuen, Massachusetts — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 6b means Methuen sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
The average first fall frost in Methuen is now 7 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
LAWRENCE · 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 Methuen’s own odds, recorded at LAWRENCE.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 10 | Apr 25 | Apr 12 | Oct 2 | Oct 16 | Oct 30 |
| 32°F | Apr 29 | Apr 13 | Apr 1 | Oct 13 | Oct 28 | Nov 10 |
| 28°F | Apr 17 | Apr 3 | Mar 18 | Oct 27 | Nov 9 | Nov 25 |
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 Methuen, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 10 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.
Methuen planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Methuen, MA?
On average, the last spring frost in Methuen is around April 13 (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 Methuen, MA?
The first fall frost in Methuen typically arrives around October 28 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Methuen in?
Methuen 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 Methuen?
There are roughly 198 frost-free days in Methuen (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 13 to the first fall frost near October 28.
When should I plant tomatoes in Methuen?
In Methuen, start tomato seeds indoors around February 16–March 2, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 20 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Methuen
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Methuen’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Lawrence · 5 km
- Haverhill · 9 km
- Lowell · 16 km
- Derry · 18 km
- Londonderry · 19 km
- Wilmington · 20 km
- Amesbury · 22 km
- Reading · 24 km
Frost dates recorded at LAWRENCE, 5 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 Methuen, MA — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00194105. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/massachusetts/methuen.