Frost dates for 01236Housatonic, MA
The average last spring frost in Housatonic is May 7 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 147 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 147 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (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 6 · May 20 · Jun 3 | Sep 11 · Sep 24 · Oct 7 | 126 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 26 · May 7 · May 21 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 18 | 147 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 27 · May 11 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Nov 1 | 170 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Housatonic
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 13 |
| 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 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 13 |
| 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 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 01236 is matched to the NOAA station Lenox Dale, MA, 12.8 km away, at 1,004 ft elevation (144 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lenox Dale, MA (used) | 1,004 ft | May 7 | Oct 3 |
| Pittsfield Muni Ap, MA | 1,194 ft | May 5 | Oct 5 |
| Copake, NY | 550 ft | May 4 | Oct 11 |
| Valatie 1 N, NY | 300 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Housatonic
- Glendale, MA 01229 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Stockbridge, MA 01262 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- West Stockbridge, MA 01266 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Great Barrington, MA 01230 · last May 4, first Oct 11
- South Lee, MA 01260 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Austerlitz, NY 12017 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- North Egremont, MA 01252 · last May 4, first Oct 11
- Spencertown, NY 12165 · last May 5, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Housatonic, MA?
- For ZIP code 01236, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lenox Dale, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Housatonic, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 01236?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 147 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.