When to plant in Needham, MA
USDA Zone 6bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Needham, Massachusetts — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 6b, Needham gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
NATICK · 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 Needham’s own odds, recorded at NATICK.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 19 | May 7 | Apr 26 | Sep 26 | Oct 4 | Oct 15 |
| 32°F | May 9 | Apr 26 | Apr 14 | Oct 1 | Oct 12 | Oct 26 |
| 28°F | Apr 24 | Apr 13 | Apr 2 | Oct 10 | Oct 24 | Nov 6 |
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 Needham, 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.
Needham planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Needham, MA?
On average, the last spring frost in Needham is around April 26 (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 Needham, MA?
In Needham, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 12 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Needham in?
Needham 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 Needham?
Needham has about 169 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 26) and first fall frost (October 12).
When should I plant tomatoes in Needham?
For Needham, sow tomatoes indoors about March 1–March 15 and move the seedlings out around May 3, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Needham
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Needham’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at NATICK, 8 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 Needham, MA — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00195175. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/massachusetts/needham.