What Grows in Boston, MA?
Boston's coastal location moderates temperatures somewhat but still demands cold-hardy planning for late spring frosts.
Zone
Last frost
First frost
Frost-free days
Boston is in USDA Zone 6b with about 168 frost-free days, and you can grow tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, beans, and more here.
Planting tips for Boston
Coastal moderation helps. Plant warm crops after May 1. Strong urban farming scene.
What to plant, and when
Timing by your frost dates — last frost April 15, first frost October 15.
Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Zucchini, Eggplant, Pumpkin
Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Carrot, Radish, Beets, Onion
Green Beans, Potato, Sweet Potato, Corn, Microgreens, Rhubarb
Garlic
What grows well in Boston
Tomato
Grows well
Cherry Tomato
Grows well
Bell Pepper
Grows well
Chili Pepper
Grows well
Cucumber
Grows well
Zucchini
Grows well
Green Beans
Grows well
Lettuce
Grows well
Spinach
Grows well
Kale
Grows well
Broccoli
Grows well
Carrot
Grows well
Radish
Grows well
Beets
Grows well
Onion
Grows well
Garlic
Grows well
Potato
Grows well
Sweet Potato
Grows well
Corn
Grows well
Peas
Grows well
Cabbage
Grows well
Brussels Sprouts
Grows well
Eggplant
Grows well
Swiss Chard
Grows well
Arugula
Grows well
Microgreens
Grows well
Pumpkin
Grows well
Leek
Grows well
Asparagus
Grows well
Rhubarb
Grows wellFrequently asked questions
What hardiness zone is Boston, MA in?
Boston, MA is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. This drives everything about what you can reliably grow — it maps directly to how cold your winters get.
When is the last frost in Boston?
The average last spring frost in Boston is around April 15, and the first fall frost is typically October 15. Plan to move tender plants outside after April 15 and have them harvested (or protected) before October 15.
What grows well in Boston?
Plenty — Boston's USDA Zone 6b climate supports 30+ crops. Some of the easiest and most reliable here are Cherry Tomato, Chili Pepper, Cucumber.
How long is Boston's growing season?
Boston typically has around 168 frost-free days per year (roughly April 15 to October 15). That's a full season — plenty of time for most annual vegetables plus a succession or fall crop of cool-season greens.
What should I plant first in Boston?
Go with fast-maturing crops to get a quick win while the season is short: Microgreens, Arugula, Radish are among the quickest from seed to harvest in Boston.
Can I grow vegetables in containers in Boston?
Yes — Boston's climate is container-friendly for the right crops. Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper all do well in pots, which also lets you start them a little earlier and move them in on cold nights.
When should I start seeds indoors in Boston?
For warm-season crops like Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost (around April 15), then transplant after the danger of frost has passed.