FrostCal

When to Plant Winter Squash in Massachusetts

In a typical Massachusetts location, start seeds indoors Mar 28 – Apr 4, then sow outdoors May 2 – May 16, then transplant outdoors May 2 – May 9. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 11 in Boston and as late as May 17 in North Adams.

Method Direct sow
Days to maturity 80–110 days

Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.

Winter Squash Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
BostonMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
WorcesterMar 26 – Apr 2Apr 30 – May 14Apr 30 – May 7
SpringfieldApr 5 – Apr 12May 10 – May 24May 10 – May 17
LowellApr 2 – Apr 9May 7 – May 21May 7 – May 14
CambridgeMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
New BedfordMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 18 – May 2Apr 18 – Apr 25
DorchesterMar 22 – Mar 29Apr 26 – May 10Apr 26 – May 3
BrocktonMar 25 – Apr 1Apr 29 – May 13Apr 29 – May 6
Fall RiverMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 18 – May 2Apr 18 – Apr 25
QuincyMar 28 – Apr 4May 2 – May 16May 2 – May 9
LynnMar 28 – Apr 4May 2 – May 16May 2 – May 9
NewtonMar 22 – Mar 29Apr 26 – May 10Apr 26 – May 3
SomervilleMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
LawrenceMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 20 – May 4Apr 20 – Apr 27
FraminghamMar 29 – Apr 5May 3 – May 17May 3 – May 10
Framingham CenterMar 29 – Apr 5May 3 – May 17May 3 – May 10
WalthamMar 31 – Apr 7May 5 – May 19May 5 – May 12
HaverhillApr 3 – Apr 10May 8 – May 22May 8 – May 15
MaldenMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
BrooklineMar 22 – Mar 29Apr 26 – May 10Apr 26 – May 3
MedfordMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
TauntonMar 25 – Apr 1Apr 29 – May 13Apr 29 – May 6
ChicopeeApr 5 – Apr 12May 10 – May 24May 10 – May 17
North ChicopeeApr 5 – Apr 12May 10 – May 24May 10 – May 17
WeymouthMar 28 – Apr 4May 2 – May 16May 2 – May 9
RevereMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
PeabodyMar 28 – Apr 4May 2 – May 16May 2 – May 9
MethuenMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 20 – May 4Apr 20 – Apr 27
South PeabodyMar 28 – Apr 4May 2 – May 16May 2 – May 9
BarnstableMar 25 – Apr 1Apr 29 – May 13Apr 29 – May 6

Showing the 30 most populous of 183 Massachusetts cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Massachusetts cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant winter squash in Massachusetts?

In a typical Massachusetts location, start seeds indoors Mar 28 – Apr 4, then sow outdoors May 2 – May 16, then transplant outdoors May 2 – May 9. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 11 in Boston and as late as May 17 in North Adams.

When is the last frost in Massachusetts?

The average last spring frost in Massachusetts ranges from April 4 in Boston to May 10 in North Adams, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do winter squash take to grow?

Winter Squash typically take 80–110 days from planting to harvest. Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.

Other Crops in Massachusetts

When to plant winter squash in other states

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