Mahoney’s Featured on NBC Boston: What Can You Plant Right Now in New England?

Recently, NBC Boston meteorologist Pamela Gardner stopped by Mahoney’s Garden Center in Brighton to answer one of the biggest gardening questions this time of year: What can we safely plant right now?

If you’ve been itching to get outside and start planting, you’re definitely not alone. Spring in New England can feel a little unpredictable, especially when chilly nights and the occasional frost warning still pop up in the forecast. The good news? There’s still plenty you can plant confidently right now.

Safe to Plant Now

As our plant expert from our Brighton store, Sarah, said: trees, shrubs, and perennials are all good to plant at this point in the season. Many annuals are also ready to go, adding instant color to containers, window boxes, and garden beds.

Perennials are a great long-term investment because they return year after year, while annuals provide months of nonstop blooms and color throughout the growing season. There’s really no wrong answer, it just depends on the look you want and how you like to garden.

What to Wait on a Little Longer

Warm-season veggies and herbs are where patience really pays off. Tomatoes, peppers, and basil are especially sensitive to cold temperatures and can struggle if planted too early.

One of the biggest takeaways from the segment? Tomatoes don’t really take off until the weather consistently warms in June, so rushing to plant them early doesn’t necessarily give you a head start. Basil is even more cold-sensitive and benefits from being brought indoors overnight if temperatures dip.

If you’ve already picked up tomato or pepper plants, you can absolutely start hardening them off by placing them outside during the day and bringing them in at night.

Gardening in New England Means Flexibility

One of the most important reminders from the segment is that planting timing can vary depending on your location and growing zone. Urban areas like Boston may warm up a bit faster than inland or higher elevation spots. Don’t know what zone you’re in? No worries, check out this map!

When in doubt, keep an eye on overnight temperatures and don’t panic if a cool night sneaks into the forecast. Spring gardening in New England is always a balance of excitement and patience.

You can watch the full segment from NBC Boston for more planting tips and seasonal inspiration. And if you have questions about what’s safe to plant in your area, stop by your local Mahoney’s, we’re always happy to help you get growing.

Thanks to our friends at NBC Boston for taking a trip out to our Brighton store!