Vegetables That Grow Well in Massachusetts

When planning to grow vegetables in Massachusetts, the most important considerations are the frost dates and the temperature variations across the state. The frost dates indicate how long the growing season will be. For instance, the growing season is shorter in cooler northern regions of the state; hence only a limited number of warm-season vegetables can be grown successfully here. According to Julie Rawson of Many Hands Organic Farm in Barre, cabbage, beets, garlic, carrots, lettuce, kale, potatoes, Swiss chard and onions grow well in all regions of Massachusetts.

Lettuce is a cool-season crop and is highly sensitive to high temperatures. Lettuce seeds germinate at soil temperatures of 32 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature gets warmer than this, the seeds do not germinate but remain dormant until the temperature gets cooler. Above optimal temperature causes the established lettuce to bolt and form seed heads, and the crisphead varieties frequently get internal tip burn. In Massachusetts, the best time for growing lettuce is during spring and fall. In the cooler northern areas, the vegetable can be grown during summer if the summers are cool enough.

Celery is one of the best vegetables for Massachusetts, being a long-season crop that thrives in cooler temperatures of 60 to 75 degrees. Celery requires a good water supply and is able to tolerate light frosts. However, celery will bolt or seed prematurely in temperature less than 40 degrees for 10 to 14 days. If growing in the greenhouse, it is recommended to keep temperatures greater than 55 degrees to prevent bolting. The best soil for celery is moist, loamy and fertile. Regular watering is necessary in sandy soils. The root system of celery is usually in the upper 6 inches of soil. But there are instances in which the roots go as deep as 2 feet, and this makes heavy, clay soil unsuitable for growing the vegetable.

Garlic grows vegetatively from cloves, and adapts well to a variety of soils and climates. In Massachusetts, it is recommended to use the varieties that are adapted and hardy to the northeastern regions of the country. The garlic found in supermarkets is often the variety that is grown in the longer growing seasons, and hence will not do well in Massachusetts. The best time to plant garlic is in the fall, to allow enough time for root development. In most of the areas in Massachusetts, this is in October. Mulch plantings heavily with straw to minimize winter injury. Garlic planted in the spring needs a cold treatment of about 40 degrees for 2 months to produce bulbs. Hence, spring garlic planting is not recommended for Massachusetts because the vegetables do not grow as prolifically as during the fall planting.