When is the last frost in Worcester, MA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Worcester is around April 23, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Worcester Rgnl Ap, MA station (1.1 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Worcester?

The average first fall frost in Worcester, MA is around October 21, giving roughly a 181-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Worcester, MA?

Worcester is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6b (average annual extreme minimum temperature -5 to 0°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Worcester?

In Worcester, MA the warmest month is July (avg high 79.8°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 17.1°F). It averages about 48.3″ of precipitation a year and 72.9″ of snow.

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Worcester, MA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 6b · ZIP 01602 · elevation 305′ · NOAA & USDA data

Worcester is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (winters can dip to -5 to 0°F), with a growing season of about 181 days between the average last spring frost (April 23) and first fall frost (October 21). The warmest month is July (avg high 79.8°F); the coldest is January (avg low 17.1°F). It averages 48.3″ of precipitation a year and 72.9″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp -5 to 0°F

Last spring frost

April 23

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 21

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

181 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 79.8°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Worcester

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Worcester Rgnl Ap, MA (1.1 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	32.3	17.1	24.7	3.5	18.2
February	35.1	18.9	27	3.3	21.2
March	43	26	34.5	4.2	13.7
April	55.7	36.5	46.1	4.1	1.9
May	66.6	46.8	56.7	3.6	0
June	74.5	55.9	65.2	4.2	0
July	79.8	61.7	70.8	3.9	0
August	78.1	60.5	69.3	4.1	0
September	70.7	53.2	61.9	4.2	0
October	58.9	42.2	50.6	4.8	1.1
November	47.9	32.5	40.2	4	1.9
December	37.5	23.4	30.5	4.3	14.9

What to plant when in Worcester

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 12 · Transplant out: April 30
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 26 · Transplant out: May 7
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 30
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 30
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 30
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 30
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 30
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 19 · Sow (fall): August 26
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 12 · Sow (fall): August 26
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 26 · Sow (fall): August 26
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 2 · Sow (fall): August 12
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 9
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 2 · Sow (fall): August 12
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 26
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 9
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 26 · Sow (fall): September 9

Dates are computed from Worcester'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.

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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

Marlborough, MA Leominster, MA Fitchburg, MA Waltham, MA Newton, MA Attleboro, MA Cambridge, MA Lowell, 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 — Worcester Rgnl Ap, MA, 1.1 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Worcester Rgnl Ap, MA, 1.1 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.