Frost dates in Massachusetts
Across Massachusetts, the typical last spring frost is around Apr 27 and the first fall frost around Oct 14. Your own dates depend on where you are in the state; find your county below.
Most of the state's last spring frosts fall between Apr 13 and May 7, and its first fall frosts between Oct 5 and Nov 3.
These are the dates with a 50% chance of a 32°F frost on or after (spring) or on or before (fall), so plan tender crops a week or two after the spring date and keep row cover handy. For dates at your exact ZIP code, use the zone and frost date lookup; for what to plant when, see the planting guide by frost date.
Hardiness zones in Massachusetts: zone 5b, zone 6a, zone 6b, zone 7a, zone 7b
Frost dates by county in Massachusetts
| County | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Growing season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable | Apr 16 | Oct 30 | About 197 days |
| Berkshire | May 7 | Oct 4 | About 150 days |
| Bristol | Apr 22 | Oct 19 | About 180 days |
| Dukes | May 7 | Oct 9 | About 155 days |
| Essex | May 1 | Oct 12 | About 164 days |
| Franklin | May 2 | Oct 9 | About 160 days |
| Hampden | May 3 | Oct 8 | About 158 days |
| Hampshire | May 5 | Oct 8 | About 156 days |
| Middlesex | Apr 27 | Oct 12 | About 168 days |
| Nantucket | Apr 13 | Nov 8 | About 209 days |
| Norfolk | Apr 25 | Oct 15 | About 173 days |
| Plymouth | Apr 22 | Oct 21 | About 182 days |
| Suffolk | Apr 4 | Nov 9 | About 219 days |
| Worcester | Apr 29 | Oct 12 | About 166 days |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 50% probability of 32°F, from the weather station nearest each ZIP code; each county shows the middle value across its ZIP codes. Hills, valleys and cities can run a week or more earlier or later.