When to plant in Worcester, MA
USDA Zone 6aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Worcester, Massachusetts — all computed from Worcester's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 6a means Worcester sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
WORCESTER RGNL AP · 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 Worcester’s own odds, recorded at WORCESTER RGNL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 19 | May 4 | Apr 23 | Sep 28 | Oct 9 | Oct 23 |
| 32°F | May 5 | Apr 23 | Apr 11 | Oct 6 | Oct 21 | Nov 3 |
| 28°F | Apr 22 | Apr 11 | Apr 1 | Oct 17 | Nov 1 | 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 Worcester, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 25 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.
Worcester planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Worcester, MA?
Worcester's average last spring frost falls near April 23 — 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 Worcester, MA?
The first fall frost in Worcester typically arrives around October 21 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Worcester in?
Worcester 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 Worcester?
There are roughly 181 frost-free days in Worcester (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 23 to the first fall frost near October 21.
When should I plant tomatoes in Worcester?
In Worcester, start tomato seeds indoors around February 26–March 12, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 30 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Worcester
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Worcester’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Marlborough · 23 km
- Hudson · 24 km
- Webster · 25 km
- Milford · 27 km
- Leominster · 28 km
- Southbridge Town · 30 km
- Framingham · 31 km
- Maynard · 34 km
Frost dates recorded at WORCESTER RGNL AP, 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 Worcester, MA — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00094746. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/massachusetts/worcester.