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Massachusetts frost dates
Across the 19Massachusetts weather stations below, the average last spring frost ranges from Apr 4 in Boston Logan to May 10 in North Adams Harriman. The statewide middle is about Apr 28 for the last spring frost and Oct 15 for the first fall frost. Boston Logan has the longest growing season, about 219 days. Hardiness zones in these places: 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b.
Frost dates by city
| Place | Zone | Last spring frost | 90% safe after | First fall frost | Frost-free days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Logan | 7a | Apr 4 | Apr 17 | Nov 9 | 219 |
| Chatham | 7b | Apr 13 | Apr 26 | Nov 4 | 205 |
| Nantucket | 7b | Apr 13 | Apr 27 | Nov 8 | 209 |
| Blue Hill | 6b | Apr 19 | May 1 | Oct 24 | 188 |
| Lawrence | 6b | Apr 21 | May 1 | Oct 21 | 183 |
| Hyannis Barnstable | 7a | Apr 22 | May 5 | Oct 28 | 189 |
| Worcester | 6b | Apr 23 | May 5 | Oct 21 | 181 |
| Beverly | 6b | Apr 24 | May 6 | Oct 17 | 176 |
| Norwood | 6b | Apr 25 | May 11 | Oct 9 | 167 |
| Bedford Hanscom | 6b | Apr 28 | May 12 | Oct 10 | 165 |
| Fitchburg | 6a | Apr 29 | May 13 | Oct 11 | 165 |
| New Bedford | 7a | Apr 29 | May 15 | Oct 15 | 169 |
| Plymouth | 6b | Apr 30 | May 12 | Oct 16 | 169 |
| Taunton | 6b | May 2 | May 16 | Oct 8 | 159 |
| Westfield Barnes | 6a | May 3 | May 17 | Oct 8 | 158 |
| Orange | 5b | May 4 | May 17 | Oct 8 | 157 |
| Pittsfield | 5b | May 5 | May 21 | Oct 5 | 153 |
| Vineyard Haven | 7a | May 7 | May 27 | Oct 9 | 155 |
| North Adams Harriman | 5b | May 10 | May 25 | Oct 4 | 147 |
Dates are the 50% probability of a 32°F freeze (NOAA 1991–2020 normals); "90% safe after" is the date after which a later spring freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.
When to plant in Massachusetts
Using the statewide middle dates (last frost Apr 28, first frost Oct 15). Adjust for your town with the table above or the planting calendar.
| Plant | When to plant in Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | May 5 – May 19 |
| Peas | Mar 17 – Apr 7; fall: Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Potatoes | Mar 31 – Apr 21 |
| Green beans | May 5 – May 19; fall: Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
| Tulips | Oct 1 – Nov 12 |