The planting zones in the state of Massachusetts range from the cooler zone 5b in the northwest corner of the state to 7b along the southeast coast and islands.
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is a map that divides the United States into different zones based on the average minimum winter temperature. Casual gardeners and professional farmers alike use this map to determine which plants will grow best in their area. Here’s some more info about Massachusetts’ hardiness zones:
Map of Massachusetts Planting Zones
For more information on hardiness zones and how to use them, read our article on the updated USDA Hardiness Zone map.
Zone 5b: Northwest Massachusetts
Zone 5b is the coolest zone in Massachusetts, with an average minimum temperature of negative 15 to negative 10 degrees Fahrenheit. This zone is located in Northwest Massachusetts and borders Vermont and New York.
Massachusetts’ zone 5b contains parts of Berkshire, Franklin, and Worcester counties, as well as a very small portion of Hampden and Hampshire counties. In terms of major cities, Pittsfield and Gardner both fall within zone 5b.
Zone 6a: Central Massachusetts
The next coolest zone in Massachusetts is Zone 6a. 6a has an average minimum temperature of negative 10 to negative 5 degrees Fahrenheit, so while it’s slightly warmer, it can still get frigid. This gardening zone contains much of Central Massachusetts and parts of West Massachusetts.
Zone 6a contains parts of Hampden and Worcester counties, as well as the remaining area of most of the 5b counties. 6a also contains parts of Middlesex and Essex counties. The major cities Greenfield and Worcester are also in 6a.
Zone 6B: Eastern Massachusetts
Massachusetts’ Zone 6b has an average minimum temperature of negative 5 to 0 Fahrenheit. This zone is primarily Eastern Massachusetts, though parts of it do creep into Central and Western Massachusetts.
Interestingly enough, 6b, just like 5b and 6a, also contains parts of Worcester and Hampden counties. This means that they both contain three separate planting zones. 6b also extends into parts of Middlesex and Essex counties in addition to Suffolk, Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth. The major cities Springfield, Cambridge, and Lowell all fall within 6b.
Zone 7a: Southeastern Massachusetts
The first growing zone in Massachusetts to not fall into the negatives is Zone 7a. This zone has an average minimum temperature of 0 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, still severely cold but at least in positive temperatures. 7a runs along most of the Massachusetts coastline in the Southeast part of the state.
Massachusetts’ zone 7a contains parts of some 6b counties such as Suffolk, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Bristol. Small portions of Middlesex and Essex also fall within 7a, meaning that they, too, contain three distinct growing zones. Most of Barnstable County falls within 7a, as does almost the entirety of Dukes County.
The major cities New Bedford, Gloucester, Plymouth, and Barnstable all fall within 7a. Finally, zone 7a also contains Boston, Massachusetts’ capital city.
Zone 7b: Southeastern Coast and Islands
The last and warmest growing zone in Massachusetts is Zone 7b. This is also the smallest of Massachusetts’ growing zones as it only contains small parts of the Southeast coastline and the island counties off the mainland.
Zone 7b contains part of Barnstable County as well as a small portion of Dukes County. The island of Nantucket falls entirely within 7b, making it the only county in Massachusetts to only contain one gardening zone. However, 7b does not contain any major cities.
More Lawn Care and Landscaping Resources for Massachusetts
There are plenty of ways you can improve your lawn or garden. Here are a few more articles to help you take care of your Massachusetts landscape:
About Gas Leaf Blower Bans in Massachusetts
4 Common Lawn Diseases Found in Massachusetts
Spring Lawn Care Tips for the Northeast
FAQ About Massachusetts Gardening
Which planting zones did Massachusetts have before the 2023 update?
In the 2012 version of the USDA hardiness map, Massachusetts had Zone 5a in addition to 5b to 7b as it does in the 2023 version.
When is the growing season in Massachusetts?
The typical start date for the growing season in Massachusetts is early to mid May, the time of the last frost of spring. The end date can range from the beginning of September to the end of November, whenever the first frost of the fall season occurs.
Are gas leaf blowers banned in Massachusetts?
While Massachusetts does not have a state-wide ban on gas leaf blowers, there are many local bans or restrictions. Research your city and local laws to see if a gas leaf blower is allowed in your area.
Find a Lawn Pro Now
Planting zones determine which plants can survive in a given area of the map. Research your planting zone and which plants thrive in it to keep your lawn and garden beautiful.
If you need help, contact landscaping professionals near you. They can maintain your landscape or mow your Massachusetts lawn for you whether you live in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, or Lowell.
Main Image Credit: Lawn in front of a house in Bedford, Massachusetts / Doug Kerr / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
