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Boston, Massachusetts · vegetable planting calendar

What to plant now in Boston

This month's sowing list for Boston, what is ready to pick, when to plant the favourites, the planting year at a glance and the local frost dates.

October

6 vegetables to sow or plant now

5 of them are at their best time to start. The last frost is usually around April 12, and frost is unlikely after about April 26.

Quick, easy wins this month: radish.

Sow or plant in Boston in October

Start seeds indoors

  • Cabbage

Direct sow

  • Fava beans
  • Peas
  • Radish

Transplant

  • Cabbage
  • Garlic
  • Onion

Names with a dashed outline can be started now, but it is not their best time.

Last month to start: radish.

Ready to pick in October

  • Arugula
  • Beets
  • Bok choy
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Bush beans
  • Cabbage
  • Carrot
  • Cauliflower
  • Celeriac
  • Celery
  • Chives
  • Cilantro
  • Dill
  • Kale
  • Leek
  • Lettuce
  • Parsley
  • Peas
  • Pole beans
  • Potato
  • Radish
  • Runner beans
  • Scallions
  • Spinach
  • Strawberry
  • Sweet corn
  • Swiss chard
  • Tomato
  • Turnip
  • Winter squash
  • Zucchini

Coming up in November

  • Strawberry

When to plant the favourites in Boston

Tomato

Tomatoes

Start seeds indoors: April to May.

Transplant: May to July.

Best time to start: May to June.

Pick: August to October.

First pick about 17 weeks after starting.

Potato

Potatoes

Plant: April to August.

Best time to start: April to May and July to August.

Pick: July to November.

First pick about 10 weeks after starting.

Garlic

Garlic

Plant: September to November.

Best time to start: September to November.

Pick: June to August.

First pick about 35 weeks after starting.

Lettuce

Lettuce

Direct sow: April to June and August to September.

Best time to start: April to May and August to September.

Pick: June to December.

First pick about 6 weeks after starting.

Carrot

Carrots

Direct sow: April to August.

Best time to start: April to May and July to August.

Pick: July to January.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

Bush beans

Bush beans

Direct sow: May to August.

Best time to start: May to July.

Pick: July to October.

First pick about 8 weeks after starting.

Onion

Onions

Start seeds indoors: February to April and July to September.

Transplant: April to June and September to November.

Best time to start: April to June and September to November.

Pick: June to September.

First pick about 23 weeks after starting.

Strawberry

Strawberries

Plant: April to June and November.

Best time to start: April to June and November.

Pick: August to December.

First pick about 15 weeks after starting.

Winter squash

Winter squash

Start seeds indoors: April to June.

Direct sow: May to June.

Transplant: May to July.

Best time to start: May to June.

Pick: August to October.

First pick about 14 weeks after starting.

Zucchini

Zucchini

Start seeds indoors: April to July.

Direct sow: May to August.

Transplant: May to August.

Best time to start: May to July.

Pick: July to October.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

The planting year in Boston

VegetableONDJFMAMJJASFirst pick
ArugulaSSSSSabout 4 weeks
BasilTSSPabout 7 weeks
BeetsSSSSSSabout 6 weeks
Bell pepperTTPPabout 17 weeks
Bok choySSSSSSabout 5 weeks
BroccoliTPPTPPabout 12 weeks
Brussels sproutsTPPabout 19 weeks
Bush beansSSSSabout 8 weeks
CabbagePPTPPPPPPabout 14 weeks
CantaloupeTSPabout 10 weeks
CarrotSSSSSabout 7 weeks
CauliflowerTPabout 14 weeks
CeleriacTPabout 22 weeks
CeleryTTPPPabout 19 weeks
ChivesTSSSSSPabout 7 weeks
CilantroSSSabout 6 weeks
CucumberPSSPabout 7 weeks
DillSSSSSSabout 5 weeks
EggplantTTPabout 18 weeks
Fava beansSSSabout 32 weeks
GarlicPPPabout 35 weeks
Hot pepperTTPabout 19 weeks
KaleTSSSSSSabout 6 weeks
LeekTTPPPPPabout 17 weeks
LettuceSSSSSabout 6 weeks
OkraSSabout 7 weeks
OnionPPTTPPPTTPabout 23 weeks
ParsleyTSSSSSPabout 7 weeks
ParsnipSabout 11 weeks
PeasSSSSSSabout 13 weeks
Pole beansSSSabout 9 weeks
PotatoPPPPPabout 10 weeks
RadishSSSSSSSabout 3 weeks
Runner beansSabout 10 weeks
RutabagaSabout 12 weeks
ScallionsSSSSSSabout 6 weeks
SpinachSSSSabout 7 weeks
StrawberryPPPPabout 15 weeks
Sweet cornTSSSabout 10 weeks
Sweet potatoPabout 14 weeks
Swiss chardSSSSSSabout 6 weeks
TomatoTPPPabout 17 weeks
TurnipSSSSabout 6 weeks
WatermelonTSPabout 11 weeks
Winter squashTSSPabout 14 weeks
ZucchiniTSSSSabout 7 weeks

The chart starts at October. "First pick" is the usual time from starting to the first harvest.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety of: parsnip and rutabaga.

Boston season by season

Spring March to May

Time to start: arugula, basil, beets, bell pepper, bok choy, broccoli, bush beans, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrot, celeriac, chives, cilantro, cucumber, dill, eggplant, hot pepper, kale, lettuce, parsley, parsnip, peas, pole beans, potato, radish, scallions, spinach, strawberry, sweet corn, Swiss chard, tomato, turnip, watermelon, winter squash and zucchini.

Last chance for: broccoli, celeriac, cilantro, parsnip, peas, spinach and turnip.

Summer June to August

Time to start: arugula, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, lettuce, okra, runner beans, rutabaga, sweet potato and turnip.

Last chance for: arugula, basil, bell pepper, Brussels sprouts, bush beans, cantaloupe, carrot, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, hot pepper, leek, lettuce, okra, pole beans, potato, runner beans, rutabaga, strawberry, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomato, watermelon, winter squash and zucchini.

Fall September to November

Time to start: cilantro, fava beans, garlic, peas, spinach and strawberry.

Last chance for: arugula, beets, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, chives, cilantro, dill, fava beans, garlic, kale, lettuce, onion, parsley, peas, radish, scallions, spinach, strawberry, Swiss chard and turnip.

Winter December to February

Time to start: celeriac, celery, leek and onion.

Last chance for: celeriac.

Frost in Boston

Last frost, most years
around April 12
Frost is unlikely after
about April 26
First frost, most years
around November 3
Frost-free days in a year
about 205

The end of frost is not planting time. Tender plants also need warm nights, which usually come two to four weeks later, and a week or two of hardening off first, so go by the months for each vegetable above. A low corner where cold air settles runs later. Tomatoes, peppers, beans, zucchini, winter squash and basil are the ones to hold back or cover.

Questions about planting in Boston

What can I plant now in Boston?

In October, 6 vegetables can be sown or planted in Boston, including cabbage, fava beans, garlic, onion, peas and radish. The full list is at the top of this page and changes every month.

When should I plant tomatoes in Boston?

In Boston, sow tomatoes indoors from April to May and transplant them from May to July. The best time to start is from May to June. Picking runs from August to October.

When should I plant potatoes in Boston?

In Boston, plant potatoes from April to August. The best time to start is from April to May and from July to August. Picking runs from July to November.

When should I plant garlic in Boston?

In Boston, plant garlic from September to November. The best time to start is from September to November. Picking runs from June to August.

When is the last frost in Boston?

In most years the last frost in Boston comes around April 12. Frost is unlikely after about April 26, though tender vegetables go out later still, once nights are warm. The first frost of the cold season usually arrives around November 3.

Which vegetables are quickest to grow in Boston?

The quick ones are radish (about 3 weeks), arugula (about 4 weeks), bok choy (about 5 weeks), beets (about 6 weeks), cilantro (about 6 weeks), lettuce (about 6 weeks), scallions (about 6 weeks) and Swiss chard (about 6 weeks). The time is from starting to the first pick.

Other cities

What to plant now in New York · What to plant now in Chicago · What to plant now in Atlanta · What to plant now in Dallas · What to plant now in Houston · What to plant now in Austin · What to plant now in Denver · What to plant now in Phoenix · What to plant now in Seattle · What to plant now in Portland · What to plant now in Los Angeles · What to plant now in San Diego

These dates are estimates for general guidance, based on the usual weather in Boston. Seasons vary from year to year, so check the seed packet and local advice as well.
Temperatures: Source: Meteostat and its data providers (CC BY 4.0). Crop temperature ranges checked against FAO ECOCROP (CC BY 4.0).

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