Amherst, MA planting zone & frost dates
Amherst is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around May 5 and the first fall frost around October 8, for a growing season of about 156 days.
Planting calendar for Amherst
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (May 5) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Mar 10 – Mar 24 Transplant outdoors: May 12 – May 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10 Transplant outdoors: May 19 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10 Transplant outdoors: May 19 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10 Transplant outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10 Transplant outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 12 – May 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 12 – May 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 12 – May 19 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 12 – May 19 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7 Transplant outdoors: May 12 – May 19 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 13 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 8).
Useful for zone 6a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 23 | May 5 | May 19 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 23 | Oct 8 | Sep 28 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 19, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 28. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 23.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Amherst
- 01002 zone 6a
- 01003 zone 6a
- 01004 zone 6a
Nearby cities
- Amherst Center zone 6a, last frost May 5
- South Hadley zone 6a, last frost May 5
- Northampton zone 6a, last frost May 5
- Easthampton zone 6a, last frost May 3
- Holyoke zone 6a, last frost May 3
- North Chicopee zone 6a, last frost May 3
- Ludlow zone 6a, last frost May 3
- Greenfield zone 6a, last frost May 1
Questions
What growing zone is Amherst, MA?
Amherst is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a (average extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Amherst?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Amherst is May 5. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 19.
When can I plant tomatoes in Amherst?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 12 – May 19. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Amherst, MA (USC00190120), 2.6 km (1.6 mi) from the city center, elevation 44 m, based on 29 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.