How large is Berkshire County?

Berkshire County, Massachusetts covers about 593,199 acres of land (US Census Bureau TIGER/Line). Soil, drainage, and sun vary parcel-by-parcel inside that footprint.

What grows well in Berkshire County, Massachusetts?

County-level zone data is a starting point. The plants that succeed on a specific parcel depend on soil pH, drainage class, sun hours, and contamination history — all of which vary inside Berkshire County. A Growable Ground site report scores 1,112 species against the parcel's federal data layers, not the county average.

What vegetables grow in Berkshire County, Massachusetts?

Berkshire County's climate supports plants suited to zones 5a-6b. Common options include Tomato, Blueberry, Sugar Maple. What actually grows on any one parcel depends on its specific soil, sun, and drainage — we score each plant against the real conditions at your address.

What Grows in Berkshire County, Massachusetts

USDA Zones 5a-6b · 593K acres

Quick Facts

USDA Zones

5a-6b

Last Frost

Apr 10 - May 20

First Frost

Sep 20 - Oct 30

County Area

593K acres

Hardiness Zone Range

3a (Cold)13b (Hot)

Zones 5A–6B·Zones in Berkshire CountyOpen map →

Growing Season

Last frost: Apr 10 - May 20First frost: Sep 20 - Oct 30

What Grows in Berkshire County

Plants suited to Massachusetts's climate and zones 5a-6b.

TomatoVegetableThrives in the warm summers with adequate rainfallGrowing tomato in Massachusetts →

BlueberryFruitLoves the naturally acidic New England soilsMassachusetts blueberry guide →

Sugar MapleTreeNative species well-adapted to New England wintersSugar Maple in Massachusetts →

ZucchiniVegetableFast grower that fits the shorter growing seasonGrowing zucchini in Massachusetts →

KaleVegetableCold-hardy and improves in flavor after frostMassachusetts kale guide →

AppleFruitExcellent chill hours for apple productionApple in Massachusetts →

LilacShrubClassic New England ornamental, thrives in zones 5-7Growing lilac in Massachusetts →

Red OakTreeNative canopy tree adapted to rocky New England soilsMassachusetts red oak guide →

Growing Challenges in Massachusetts

Short growing season (120-180 frost-free days) limits warm-season crops

Rocky glacial soils require amendment in many areas

Late spring frosts can damage early plantings through mid-May

Deer pressure is significant in suburban and rural areas

Environmental Intelligence

Understanding what's nearby helps you make informed decisions about where and how to grow.

Total Sites

1,278

Risk Level

High

Primary Concern

17 Superfund NPL sites

Superfund: 17

TRI: 36

Brownfield: 532

Mining: 8

CAFO: 4

PFAS: 5

Nitrate: 182

UST: 494

Sources Checked

Brownfields

532

Underground Storage Tanks

494

Nitrate Monitoring

182

Toxics Release Inventory

Superfund

Mining Sites

PFAS Sampling

Concentrated Animal Feeding

Severity Distribution

383

874

High (21)

Moderate (383)

Low (874)

Highest-Severity Sites

BERKSHIRE TANNING CO (FORMER)

Superfund · SUPERFUND (NON-NPL)

BRANN MICHAEL SERVICE

Superfund · SUPERFUND NPL

Canaan Lead Silver Mines

Mining Sites · Past Producer

Canaan Lead Silver Mines

Mining Sites · Producer

Canaan Pb-Ag Mines

Mining Sites · Past Producer

Know Before You Grow

•Raised beds with imported soil can reduce exposure risk near brownfield sites.
•Underground tanks can leak petroleum products. Soil testing near former gas stations is recommended.
•Test well water for nitrates if you rely on a private well. Levels above 10 mg/L require treatment.

Explore the national contamination map·Massachusetts Growing Guide

Free Report

Check your specific parcel in Berkshire County

Get exact proximity distances to contamination sources for your specific parcel — plus soil, sun, drainage, and 1,112 plant recommendations.

25+ data sources analyzed in seconds

Your Specific Parcel Matters

Berkshire County Average

●USDA Zones 5a-6b
●Generic soil type for the area
●State-average frost dates

YOUR Parcel

✓Your exact hardiness zone
✓Your SSURGO soil type & pH
✓Your sun exposure from LiDAR

See MY Growing Report

Free Report

Read your parcel in Berkshire County

Pull a site-specific report for your exact address in Berkshire County, Massachusetts — soil, sun, drainage, frost risk, and scored plant recommendations.

25+ data sources analyzed in seconds

Key Growing Facts for Berkshire County, Massachusetts

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5a-6b (USDA PHZM 2023)
Last Spring Frost: Apr 10 - May 20 (NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals)
First Fall Frost: Sep 20 - Oct 30 (NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals)
County Land Area: 593K acres (US Census TIGER 2025)
FIPS Code: 25003

Zone data: USDA ARS Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023. Climate data: NOAA NCEI. County boundaries: US Census TIGER/Line 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zone is Berkshire County, Massachusetts?

Berkshire County spans USDA hardiness zones 5a-6b, according to the USDA Agricultural Research Service Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023. Zones are based on average annual extreme minimum temperatures from 1991-2020 weather data.

What vegetables grow in Berkshire County?

Berkshire County's zones 5a-6b support a range of vegetables. Common options for Massachusetts include Tomato, Blueberry, Sugar Maple, Zucchini, Kale. For site-specific recommendations scored against your parcel's soil, drainage, and sun data, use the Growable Ground report for your address.

What is the growing season in Berkshire County?

The growing season in Berkshire County follows Massachusetts's frost window: last spring frost around Apr 10 - May 20 and first fall frost around Sep 20 - Oct 30, based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991-2020). Frost dates vary by elevation and microclimate within the county.