Frost dates for 01069Palmer, MA
The average last spring frost in Palmer is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 169 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 169 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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) | Apr 28 · May 11 · May 26 | Sep 24 · Oct 4 · Oct 19 | 147 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 28 · May 17 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Nov 1 | 169 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 13 · May 2 | Oct 9 · Oct 27 · Nov 11 | 194 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Palmer
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 | Mar 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 01069 is matched to the NOAA station E Brimfield Lake, MA, 18.2 km away, at 700 ft elevation (261 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| E Brimfield Lake, MA (used) | 700 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 15 |
| Belchertown, MA | 550 ft | May 3 | Oct 14 |
| Staffordville, CT | 736 ft | May 7 | Oct 12 |
| Southbridge 3 Sw, MA | 685 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Palmer
- Thorndike, MA 01079 · last May 3, first Oct 14
- Three Rivers, MA 01080 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Bondsville, MA 01009 · last May 3, first Oct 14
- Monson, MA 01057 · last May 7, first Oct 12
- West Warren, MA 01092 · last Apr 28, first Oct 15
- Warren, MA 01083 · last Apr 28, first Oct 15
- Ware, MA 01082 · last Apr 28, first Oct 15
- Wilbraham, MA 01095 · last May 3, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Palmer, MA?
- For ZIP code 01069, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the E Brimfield Lake, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Palmer, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. 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 01069?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 169 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.