Massachusetts
Native plants in Boston
301 plants native to this area with Sow catalog pages.
242 of them need no watering beyond Boston’s own rainfall
Yard rebates in Boston
1 program from the city, the county or local utilities pay residents for yard projects, plus 1 statewide. 1 ask for a plan or plant list before they approve a project.
- OpenPlan required
BWSC Stormwater Credit Program
Boston Water and Sewer Commission
Up to 30% off the stormwater charge
- Open
Mass Save Battery-Powered Lawn Equipment Rebates
Mass Save (Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, Cape Light Compact)
$75 per lawn mower; $30 each for leaf blower, string trimmer, chainsaw
Showing 301 plants
Trees63
Canopy and structure
Shrubs73
Backbone planting
Grasses32
Movement and texture
Perennials143
Seasonal colour
Vines8
Verticals and screens
Ferns13
Shade and damp
When to plant in Boston
The median last spring frost is Apr 4 and the median first fall frost is Nov 9 at the Boston weather station (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, USDA Zone 7a). Each crop’s guide explains the rule behind its dates.
- Broccoli
Spring transplant: Mar 14 – Mar 28
Fall transplant: Aug 1 – Aug 31
- Cabbage
Spring transplant: Mar 14 – Mar 28
Fall transplant: Jul 27 – Aug 26
- Carrots
Spring sowing: Mar 14 – Apr 11
Fall crop sowing: Aug 3 – Aug 31
- Corn
First sowing: When soil at 4 in holds 55°F (13°C)
Last sowing (early variety): Jul 15–25
- Cucumbers
Direct sow or transplant: When soil at 4 in holds 60–70°F
Last sowing for fall harvest: Aug 6 – Aug 11
- Daffodil bulbs
Plant bulbs: Oct 5 – Nov 9
- Garlic
Plant cloves (Zones 3–5): See Zones 6–10 column
Plant cloves (Zones 6–10): Oct 5 – Nov 16
- Grass seed
Cool-season grass (best): Aug 15 – Sep 15
Warm-season grass: Use cool-season grass
- Green beans
Direct sow: Mid-May – early Jun
Last sowing for fall harvest: By early Aug
- Hydrangeas
Spring planting: Apr 4 – May 16
Fall planting: Sep 26 – Nov 7
- Lettuce
Spring sowing: Mar 7 – May 2
Fall sowing: Aug 17 – Sep 14
- Onions
Late winter or spring planting: Mar 7 – Apr 18
Fall planting (short-day types): Not recommended
- Peas
Direct sow: Mar 7 – Apr 4
Fall sowing: Aug 17 – Sep 7
- Potatoes
Plant seed potatoes: Mar 14 – Apr 4
Fall crop (optional): Spring crop only
- Pumpkins
Direct sow: Apr 24 – May 15
Sow for Halloween: Late May to late June
- Radishes
Spring sowing: Mar 14 – Apr 18
Fall sowing: Aug 31 – Sep 28
- Roses
Bare-root roses: Mar 7 – Mar 25
Container roses: Apr 4 – Jun 18
- Strawberries
Plant dormant crowns (spring): Mar 7 – Apr 4
Plant plugs (fall): Not advised; plant in spring
- Sweet potatoes
Plant slips outdoors: When soil at 4 in holds 65°F (18°C)
- Tomatoes
Frost-safe window: Apr 17 – May 8
- Tulip bulbs
Plant bulbs: Oct 5 – Nov 9
Plant pre-chilled bulbs: Not needed (winter chills bulbs)
- Watermelon
Start planting (soil 65°F): Late May – early June, once soil holds 65°F
Last sowing (early varieties): Mid- to late June
- Wildflower seeds
Fall sowing window: Nov 21 – Dec 26
What sets the date: First hard freeze
- Zucchini
Direct sow or transplant: After frost, once soil reads 60–65°F (16–18°C)
Last sowing for fall harvest: Jul 17 – Aug 11
More of Massachusetts
- Worcester
- Framingham
- Springfield
- Leominster
- Newton
- Lawrence
- Lowell
- Brockton
- Lynn
- Fall River
- Cambridge
- Somerville
Design a Boston garden with these plants
Snap a photo of your yard and Sow places real, zone-matched plants into it — then keeps the watering and care schedule for everything you plant.