Frost dates for 01440Gardner, MA
The average last spring frost in Gardner is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 163 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 163 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 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 14 · May 27 | Sep 22 · Oct 2 · Oct 15 | 142 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 2 · May 16 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Oct 30 | 163 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 18 · May 3 | Oct 9 · Oct 25 · Nov 10 | 189 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gardner
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 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 01440 is matched to the NOAA station Ashburnham, MA, 7.8 km away, at 1,108 ft elevation (17 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashburnham, MA (used) | 1,108 ft | May 2 | Oct 13 |
| Ashburnham N, MA | 1,146 ft | May 5 | Oct 7 |
| Birch Hill Dam, MA | 855 ft | May 6 | Oct 1 |
| Fitchburg Coop, MA | 665 ft | May 1 | Oct 9 |
Frost dates near Gardner
- East Templeton, MA 01438 · last May 6, first Oct 1
- Baldwinville, MA 01436 · last May 6, first Oct 1
- Templeton, MA 01468 · last May 6, first Oct 1
- Westminster, MA 01473 · last May 12, first Oct 1
- Hubbardston, MA 01452 · last May 12, first Oct 1
- Ashburnham, MA 01430 · last May 5, first Oct 7
- Winchendon, MA 01475 · last May 6, first Oct 1
- Fitchburg, MA 01420 · last Apr 29, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gardner, MA?
- For ZIP code 01440, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ashburnham, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Gardner, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. 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 01440?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 163 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.