Frost dates for 01360Northfield, MA
The average last spring frost in Northfield is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 157 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 157 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 27 (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 29 | Sep 16 · Sep 28 · Oct 9 | 134 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 4 · May 17 | Sep 27 · Oct 8 · Oct 23 | 157 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 23 · May 6 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Nov 4 | 179 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Northfield
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 18 |
| 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 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 18 |
| 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 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 01360 is matched to the NOAA station Orange Muni Ap, MA, 18.6 km away, at 555 ft elevation (253 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Muni Ap, MA (used) | 555 ft | May 4 | Oct 8 |
| Greenfield #3, MA | 130 ft | May 1 | Oct 11 |
| Tully Lake, MA | 680 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 17 |
| Birch Hill Dam, MA | 855 ft | May 6 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Northfield
- Gill, MA 01354 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Vernon, VT 05354 · last May 14, first Oct 1
- Erving, MA 01344 · last May 4, first Oct 8
- Warwick, MA 01378 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Bernardston, MA 01337 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Ashuelot, NH 03441 · last May 14, first Oct 1
- Millers Falls, MA 01349 · last May 4, first Oct 8
- Winchester, NH 03470 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Northfield, MA?
- For ZIP code 01360, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Orange Muni Ap, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Northfield, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 01360?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 157 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.