Frost dates for 01757Milford, MA
The average last spring frost in Milford is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 162 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 162 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 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 28 · May 11 · May 25 | Sep 20 · Oct 1 · Oct 12 | 141 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 30 · May 14 | Sep 29 · Oct 9 · Oct 23 | 162 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 16 · May 1 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 5 | 187 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Milford
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 | Mar 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 01757 is matched to the NOAA station West Medway, MA, 8 km away, at 210 ft elevation (213 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Medway, MA (used) | 210 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 9 |
| Woonsocket, RI | 110 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 19 |
| Natick, MA | 180 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 12 |
| Walpole 2, MA | 170 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Milford
- Hopedale, MA 01747 · last Apr 22, first Oct 19
- Mendon, MA 01756 · last Apr 22, first Oct 19
- Upton, MA 01568 · last Apr 22, first Oct 19
- Hopkinton, MA 01748 · last May 2, first Oct 6
- Medway, MA 02053 · last Apr 27, first Oct 14
- Holliston, MA 01746 · last Apr 27, first Oct 14
- Bellingham, MA 02019 · last Apr 22, first Oct 19
- Woodville, MA 01784 · last May 2, first Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Milford, MA?
- For ZIP code 01757, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the West Medway, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Milford, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 01757?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 162 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.