Frost dates for 01079Thorndike, MA
The average last spring frost in Thorndike is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 164 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 30 · May 13 · May 25 | Sep 23 · Oct 4 · Oct 16 | 144 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 3 · May 16 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 29 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 20 · May 4 | Oct 12 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 189 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Thorndike
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 24 |
| 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 – Jul 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 24 |
| 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 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 01079 is matched to the NOAA station Belchertown, MA, 9.8 km away, at 550 ft elevation (143 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belchertown, MA (used) | 550 ft | May 3 | Oct 14 |
| E Brimfield Lake, MA | 700 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 15 |
| Staffordville, CT | 736 ft | May 7 | Oct 12 |
| Southbridge 3 Sw, MA | 685 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Thorndike
- Bondsville, MA 01009 · last May 3, first Oct 14
- Palmer, MA 01069 · last Apr 28, first Oct 15
- Three Rivers, MA 01080 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- West Warren, MA 01092 · last Apr 28, first Oct 15
- Ware, MA 01082 · last Apr 28, first Oct 15
- Monson, MA 01057 · last May 7, first Oct 12
- Warren, MA 01083 · last Apr 28, first Oct 15
- Belchertown, MA 01007 · last May 3, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Thorndike, MA?
- For ZIP code 01079, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Belchertown, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Thorndike, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. 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 01079?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 164 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.