Frost dates for 01719Boxborough, MA
The average last spring frost in Boxborough is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 156 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 156 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (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 13 · May 27 | Sep 14 · Sep 27 · Oct 8 | 136 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 22 · May 2 · May 16 | Sep 25 · Oct 6 · Oct 22 | 156 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 21 · May 5 | Oct 2 · Oct 18 · Nov 3 | 178 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Boxborough
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 16 |
| 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 – Jun 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 16 |
| 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 6 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 01719 is matched to the NOAA station Maynard 2, MA, 9 km away, at 205 ft elevation (107 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maynard 2, MA (used) | 205 ft | May 2 | Oct 6 |
| Bedford Hanscom Fld, MA | 133 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 10 |
| Bedford, MA | 160 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 13 |
| Fitchburg Muni Ap, MA | 348 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Boxborough
- Harvard, MA 01451 · last Apr 29, first Oct 11
- Acton, MA 01720 · last May 2, first Oct 6
- Littleton, MA 01460 · last May 2, first Oct 6
- Stow, MA 01775 · last May 2, first Oct 6
- Framingham, MA 01703 · last May 2, first Oct 6
- New Town, MA 02456 · last May 2, first Oct 6
- Still River, MA 01467 · last Apr 29, first Oct 11
- Maynard, MA 01754 · last May 2, first Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Boxborough, MA?
- For ZIP code 01719, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Maynard 2, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Boxborough, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 01719?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 156 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.