Cotton planting in Massachusetts.
Cotton planting in Massachusetts is shaped by the state's 6a dominant hardiness zone, last frost date around May 1, and a 165-day growing season. Cotton can be grown in Massachusetts with attention to season length and variety selection — primarily a specialty or experimental crop here.
Planting dates on this page are climatological estimates from USDA frost-date norms and zone-typical planting offsets. Verify against UMass Extension for variety- and county-specific guidance.
Planting calendar — 2026
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
Planting windows
Spring planting
CottonHarvest window
Harvest timing varies with planting date and seasonal weather — these dates are typical for the ideal planting window.
Growing notes
Cotton is challenging in Massachusetts's climate — focus on short-season varieties, raised beds, season extension (row cover, low tunnel), or microclimates with longer growing windows.
Cotton can be grown in Massachusetts with attention to season length and variety selection — primarily a specialty or experimental crop here.
Agronomy reference
Growing-degree-day requirement: 2200 GDD (base 60°F) from planting to maturity.
Cotton requires a long, warm growing season — generally limited to USDA zones 7 and warmer with adequate growing season length.
Common pests to watch
- Bollworm
- Lygus bug
- Spider mites
Pest pressure varies by region and year. Confirm current outbreaks with UMass Extension.
Common diseases
- Verticillium wilt
- Fusarium wilt
- Cotton root rot
Resistance varieties shift each year. Check the current variety trial report for your state.
Variety selection
Cotton varieties for Massachusetts live with your extension service.
Variety performance is micro-regional and changes with each year’s trial cycle. We don’t republish variety lists — instead, we point directly at the source.
Search the extension site for “cottonvariety trial” or “recommended cotton varieties” to find the current report.
Yield varies significantly by variety, soil, fertility, and management. Consult your state extension service for variety performance trials in your region.
Cotton timing. Live alerts.
Bield: Farm ties weather and soil-temperature stations in your county to crop planting thresholds — get notified the day soil temp clears your target window.