Frost dates for 01262Stockbridge, MA
The average last spring frost in Stockbridge 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 Stockbridge
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 01262 is matched to the NOAA station Lenox Dale, MA, 7 km away, at 1,004 ft elevation (79 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 Stockbridge
- Glendale, MA 01229 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- South Lee, MA 01260 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Housatonic, MA 01236 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- West Stockbridge, MA 01266 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Lenox Dale, MA 01242 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Lee, MA 01238 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Lenox, MA 01240 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- Richmond, MA 01254 · last May 7, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Stockbridge, MA?
- For ZIP code 01262, 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 Stockbridge, 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 01262?
- 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.