🌱 GrowGuide Almanac
HomeMassachusetts › Pittsfield

Pittsfield, MA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 5b · ZIP 01201 · elevation 364′ · NOAA & USDA data

Pittsfield is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (winters can dip to -15 to -10°F), with a growing season of about 152 days between the average last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (October 5). The warmest month is July (avg high 79.3°F); the coldest is January (avg low 13.9°F). It averages 44.2″ of precipitation a year. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone
5b
min temp -15 to -10°F
Last spring frost
May 5
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
First fall frost
October 5
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
Growing season
152 days
frost-free window
Warmest month
July
avg high 79.3°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Pittsfield

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Pittsfield Muni Ap, MA (1.9 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

MonthAvg highAvg lowMeanPrecip (in)Snow (in)
January 30.1 13.9 22 2.7
February 33.1 15 24.1 2.5
March 41.7 23.1 32.4 3.1
April 55.2 33.8 44.5 3.4
May 67 44.4 55.7 3.8
June 74.6 53.1 63.9 4.6
July 79.3 58 68.7 4.2
August 77.6 56.5 67.1 3.8
September 70.4 48.9 59.7 4.5
October 58.3 38.5 48.4 4.6
November 46.6 29.2 37.9 3.5
December 35.5 20.9 28.2 3.6

What to plant when in Pittsfield

CropSeasonWhat to do & when
TomatoeswarmStart seeds indoors: March 24 · Transplant out: May 12
PepperswarmStart seeds indoors: March 10 · Transplant out: May 19
CucumberswarmDirect sow: May 12
Zucchini / squashwarmDirect sow: May 12
Bush beanswarmDirect sow: May 12
Sweet cornwarmDirect sow: May 12
BasilwarmTransplant out: May 12
PeascoolSow (spring): March 31 · Sow (fall): August 10
SpinachcoolSow (spring): March 24 · Sow (fall): August 10
LettucecoolSow (spring): April 7 · Sow (fall): August 10
KalecoolTransplant (spring): April 14 · Sow (fall): July 27
BroccolicoolTransplant (spring): April 21
CarrotscoolSow (spring): April 14 · Sow (fall): July 27
OnionscoolTransplant (spring): April 7
PotatoescoolPlant seed potatoes: April 21
RadishescoolSow (spring): April 7 · Sow (fall): August 24

Dates are computed from Pittsfield's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

Want the exact dates for your yard? →
Look up your precise ZIP-code frost dates and a full 26-crop planting calendar on our free interactive tool.
Open the frost & planting tool

🌾 Get a frost reminder

One email in early spring and early fall with the dates for your area. No spam.

Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Massachusetts

Westfield, MAHolyoke, MAChicopee, MASpringfield, MAWorcester, MAFitchburg, MALeominster, MAMarlborough, MA

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Pittsfield Muni Ap, MA, 1.9 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Pittsfield Muni Ap, MA, 1.9 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.