When to plant in Wakefield, MA
USDA Zone 6bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Wakefield, Massachusetts — all computed from Wakefield's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 6b means Wakefield sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
The average last spring frost in Wakefield is now 5 days earlier than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
READING · 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 Wakefield’s own odds, recorded at READING.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 20 | May 7 | Apr 26 | Sep 26 | Oct 6 | Oct 20 |
| 32°F | May 8 | Apr 25 | Apr 13 | Oct 3 | Oct 17 | Nov 1 |
| 28°F | Apr 24 | Apr 11 | Mar 31 | Oct 14 | Oct 30 | Nov 11 |
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 Wakefield, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 15 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.
Wakefield planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Wakefield, MA?
On average, the last spring frost in Wakefield 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 Wakefield, MA?
In Wakefield, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 17 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Wakefield in?
Wakefield 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 Wakefield?
There are roughly 175 frost-free days in Wakefield (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 25 to the first fall frost near October 17.
When should I plant tomatoes in Wakefield?
In Wakefield, 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 Wakefield
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Wakefield’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at READING, 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 Wakefield, MA — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00196783. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/massachusetts/wakefield.