Massachusetts spans about 8,257 square knot , and within those many mile it host a diverse kitchen stove of regional and seasonal climes , from comfortable summer temperatures to winter temps that often fall below freezing . [ Ref 1 ] However , all area of the Bay State fall within U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 5 through 7 . These zones , updated in 2012 , aid you decide what to plant at home based on the average minimum wintertime temperature of the domain . [ Ref 2 ]

Zone 5

Step 1

The majority of westerly and cardinal Massachusetts fall within USDA plant hardiness zona 5b , which is defined byaverage minimum wintertime temperaturesof -15 to -10 level Fahrenheit . This planting geographical zone encompasses Berkshire County , Greenfield , the majority of Pittsfield , Franklin , cardinal Worcester County , most of northern Gardner and the western destiny of Hampden and Hampshire county . A few very small areas of the DoS flow into the chillier zone 5a , which has average minimum winter temporary worker of -20 to -15 degrees Fahrenheit . These region include a strip of central and northerly Berkshire county and a minor surgical incision of northern Worcester County . evoke garden plant life for zone 5 let in daisy - like asters , drooping wisteria and common garden vegetable such as lolly and onions .

Zone 6

Roughly half of primal Massachusetts , including the lower one-half of Worcester County , cardinal Middlesex County and westerly Essex County , occupies USDA plant life hardiness zone 6a . This zone feature ordinary minimum winter temperatures of -10 to -5 level Fahrenheit . All of the city of Springfield , as well as central and westerly Hampden County , live this geographical zone as well , as does the western one-half of Norfolk County . Eastern Massachusetts , from the metropolis of Gloucester and the county of Bristol to the eastern perimeter of Plymouth County , devolve into hardiness geographical zone 6b , where ordinary minimal wintertime temperatures array from -5 to 0 point . Ornamental hydrangea , lilies and irises boom in geographical zone 6 , as do blackberry and blueberries .

Zone 7

The temperate island counties of Dukes and Nantucket domiciliate in USDA plant hardiness zone 7a . The average minimum wintertime temps in this more restrained geographical zone fall between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit . The metropolis of Barnstable and the majority of Barnstable County are also in geographical zone 7a , as is the southern coastal part of Bristol County . geographical zone 7 accommodates herbs such as chive and rosemary , as well assweet fruitslike peach tree and pears .

More Info

The Bay State has a growing time of year about 120 to 140 days in the W and about 160 to 200 twenty-four hours on its eastern seacoast . This region has a fairly even distribution of hurry , which averages about 40 to 50 column inch per year . If you need more info about your special region before planting , contact your local Cooperative Extension Service System spot — these plant pro can provide data on everything from trespassing plant life to soil amendments .

References

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