Frost dates for 01013Chicopee, MA
The average last spring frost in Chicopee is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 158 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 158 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | May 1 · May 14 · May 28 | Sep 16 · Sep 30 · Oct 11 | 138 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 3 · May 17 | Sep 26 · Oct 8 · Oct 25 | 158 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 21 · May 5 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Nov 5 | 184 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Chicopee
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 01013 is matched to the NOAA station Westfield Barnes Muni Ap, MA, 9 km away, at 271 ft elevation (176 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westfield Barnes Muni Ap, MA (used) | 271 ft | May 3 | Oct 8 |
| Westfield 3 Sw, MA | 430 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 17 |
| Hartford Bradley Intl Ap, CT | 190 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 16 |
| Belchertown, MA | 550 ft | May 3 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Chicopee
- Chicopee, MA 01014 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- West Springfield, MA 01090 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Springfield, MA 01102 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Longmeadow, MA 01116 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Holyoke, MA 01040 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Indian Orchard, MA 01151 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Agawam, MA 01001 · last Apr 21, first Oct 16
- South Hadley, MA 01075 · last May 5, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chicopee, MA?
- For ZIP code 01013, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Westfield Barnes Muni Ap, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Chicopee, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 01013?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 158 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.