Billerica, MA planting zone & frost dates
Billerica is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 27 and the first fall frost around October 13, for a growing season of about 169 days.
Planting calendar for Billerica
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 27) 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 2 – Mar 16 Transplant outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 Transplant outdoors: May 11 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 Transplant outdoors: May 11 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 Transplant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 Transplant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 Transplant outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 18 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 13).
Useful for zone 6b 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 13 | Apr 27 | May 11 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 29 | Oct 13 | Oct 1 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 11, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 1. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 12.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Billerica
- 01821 zone 6b
- 01822 zone 6b
Nearby cities
- Tewksbury zone 6b, last frost Apr 30
- Bedford zone 6b, last frost Apr 27
- Lowell zone 6b, last frost Apr 30
- Burlington zone 6b, last frost Apr 25
- Wilmington zone 6b, last frost Apr 25
- Chelmsford zone 6b, last frost Apr 30
- Dracut zone 6a, last frost Apr 30
- Lexington zone 6b, last frost Apr 28
Questions
What growing zone is Billerica, MA?
Billerica is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b (average extreme winter low -5°F to 0°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Billerica?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Billerica is April 27. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 11.
When can I plant tomatoes in Billerica?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 4 – May 11. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Bedford, MA (USC00190535), 8.4 km (5.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 49 m, based on 18 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.