When to plant in Northampton, MA
USDA Zone 6aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Northampton, Massachusetts — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 6a means Northampton sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
AMHERST · 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 Northampton’s own odds, recorded at AMHERST.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 30 | May 17 | May 3 | Sep 17 | Sep 30 | Oct 11 |
| 32°F | May 19 | May 5 | Apr 23 | Sep 28 | Oct 8 | Oct 23 |
| 28°F | May 7 | Apr 23 | Apr 9 | Oct 6 | Oct 21 | Nov 4 |
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 Northampton, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 19 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.
Northampton planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Northampton, MA?
Northampton's average last spring frost falls near May 5 — 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 Northampton, MA?
The first fall frost in Northampton typically arrives around October 8 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Northampton in?
Northampton is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. In zone 6a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Northampton?
There are roughly 156 frost-free days in Northampton (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around May 5 to the first fall frost near October 8.
When should I plant tomatoes in Northampton?
In Northampton, start tomato seeds indoors around March 10–March 24, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 12 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Northampton
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Northampton’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Easthampton · 7 km
- Holyoke · 13 km
- Amherst Town · 14 km
- Chicopee · 19 km
- Westfield · 22 km
- West Springfield Town · 23 km
- Springfield · 26 km
- Agawam Town · 29 km
Frost dates recorded at AMHERST, 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 Northampton, MA — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00190120. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/massachusetts/northampton.