Marblehead, MA planting zone & frost dates
Marblehead is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 25 and the first fall frost around October 20, for a growing season of about 176 days.
Planting calendar for Marblehead
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 25) 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: Feb 28 – Mar 14 Transplant outdoors: May 2 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 14 – Feb 28 Transplant outdoors: May 9 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 14 – Feb 28 Transplant outdoors: May 9 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 14 – Feb 28 Transplant outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 14 – Feb 28 Transplant outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 2 – May 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 2 – May 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 2 – May 9 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 2 – May 9 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 Transplant outdoors: May 2 – May 9 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 25 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 20).
Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 12 | Apr 25 | May 13 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 3 | Oct 20 | Oct 5 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 13, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 5. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 11.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Marblehead
- 01945 zone 7a
Nearby cities
- Salem zone 7a, last frost Apr 25
- Beverly Cove zone 6b, last frost May 4
- Beverly zone 6b, last frost Apr 24
- Swampscott zone 7a, last frost Apr 25
- Peabody zone 6b, last frost Apr 25
- South Peabody zone 6b, last frost Apr 25
- Lynn zone 7a, last frost Apr 25
- Danvers zone 6b, last frost Apr 24
Questions
What growing zone is Marblehead, MA?
Marblehead is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a (average extreme winter low 0°F to 5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Marblehead?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Marblehead is April 25. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 13.
When can I plant tomatoes in Marblehead?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 2 – May 9. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Marblehead, MA (USC00194502), 0.5 km (0.3 mi) from the city center, elevation 26 m, based on 26 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.