Frost dates for 01036Hampden, MA
The average last spring frost in Hampden is May 7 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 159 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 159 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 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 4 · May 19 · May 31 | Sep 22 · Oct 3 · Oct 15 | 138 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 7 · May 21 | Oct 1 · Oct 12 · Oct 27 | 159 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 25 · May 11 | Oct 9 · Oct 24 · Nov 7 | 182 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hampden
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 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 01036 is matched to the NOAA station Staffordville, CT, 16 km away, at 736 ft elevation (260 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staffordville, CT (used) | 736 ft | May 7 | Oct 12 |
| Belchertown, MA | 550 ft | May 3 | Oct 14 |
| Hartford Bradley Intl Ap, CT | 190 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 16 |
| Westfield Barnes Muni Ap, MA | 271 ft | May 3 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Hampden
- Springfield, MA 01128 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- East Longmeadow, MA 01028 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Wilbraham, MA 01095 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Somers, CT 06071 · last Apr 21, first Oct 16
- Monson, MA 01057 · last May 7, first Oct 12
- Somersville, CT 06072 · last Apr 21, first Oct 16
- Longmeadow, MA 01106 · last Apr 21, first Oct 16
- Indian Orchard, MA 01151 · last May 3, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hampden, MA?
- For ZIP code 01036, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Staffordville, CT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Hampden, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 01036?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 159 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.