When to plant in Salem, MA
USDA Zone 7aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Salem, Massachusetts — all computed from Salem's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 7a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Salem, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
The average last spring frost in Salem is now 8 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
MARBLEHEAD · 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 Salem’s own odds, recorded at MARBLEHEAD.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 26 | May 9 | Apr 26 | Sep 28 | Oct 9 | Oct 23 |
| 32°F | May 13 | Apr 25 | Apr 12 | Oct 5 | Oct 20 | Nov 3 |
| 28°F | Apr 27 | Apr 11 | Apr 1 | Oct 17 | Oct 31 | Nov 15 |
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 Salem, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 11 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.
Salem planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Salem, MA?
On average, the last spring frost in Salem is around April 25 (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 Salem, MA?
Expect Salem's first fall frost near October 20 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Salem in?
Salem 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 Salem?
There are roughly 178 frost-free days in Salem (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 25 to the first fall frost near October 20.
When should I plant tomatoes in Salem?
In Salem, start tomato seeds indoors around February 28–March 14, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 2 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Salem
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Salem’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Swampscott · 4 km
- Marblehead · 5 km
- Lynn · 6 km
- Peabody · 7 km
- Beverly · 8 km
- Danvers · 9 km
- Saugus · 10 km
- Revere · 12 km
Frost dates recorded at MARBLEHEAD, 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 Salem, MA — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00194502. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/massachusetts/salem.