Frost dates for 01257Sheffield, MA
The average last spring frost in Sheffield is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 160 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 160 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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 2 · May 16 · May 28 | Sep 21 · Oct 2 · Oct 14 | 139 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 22 · May 4 · May 19 | Oct 1 · Oct 11 · Oct 27 | 160 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 22 · May 7 | Oct 8 · Oct 24 · Nov 7 | 184 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sheffield
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 01257 is matched to the NOAA station Copake, NY, 15.8 km away, at 550 ft elevation (129 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copake, NY (used) | 550 ft | May 4 | Oct 11 |
| Falls Village, CT | 550 ft | May 11 | Oct 4 |
| Norfolk 2 Sw, CT | 1,340 ft | May 3 | Oct 11 |
| Lenox Dale, MA | 1,004 ft | May 7 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Sheffield
- Ashley Falls, MA 01222 · last May 11, first Oct 4
- South Egremont, MA 01258 · last May 3, first Oct 11
- Taconic, CT 06079 · last May 11, first Oct 4
- Southfield, MA 01259 · last May 3, first Oct 11
- Canaan, CT 06018 · last May 11, first Oct 4
- Mill River, MA 01244 · last May 3, first Oct 11
- Great Barrington, MA 01230 · last May 4, first Oct 11
- East Canaan, CT 06024 · last May 11, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sheffield, MA?
- For ZIP code 01257, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Copake, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Sheffield, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. 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 01257?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 160 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.