Frost dates for 01760Natick, MA
The average last spring frost in Natick is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 169 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 169 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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 26 · May 7 · May 19 | Sep 26 · Oct 4 · Oct 15 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 26 · May 9 | Oct 1 · Oct 12 · Oct 26 | 169 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 13 · Apr 24 | Oct 10 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 192 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Natick
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 01760 is matched to the NOAA station Natick, MA, 1.2 km away, at 180 ft elevation (39 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natick, MA (used) | 180 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 12 |
| Walpole 2, MA | 170 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 14 |
| Maynard 2, MA | 205 ft | May 2 | Oct 6 |
| West Medway, MA | 210 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 9 |
Frost dates near Natick
- Wellesley, MA 02482 · last Apr 27, first Oct 14
- Framingham, MA 01701 · last May 2, first Oct 6
- Sherborn, MA 01770 · last Apr 27, first Oct 14
- Wayland, MA 01778 · last May 2, first Oct 6
- Wellesley Hills, MA 02481 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Babson Park, MA 02457 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Dover, MA 02030 · last Apr 27, first Oct 14
- Needham, MA 02492 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Natick, MA?
- For ZIP code 01760, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Natick, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Natick, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. 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 01760?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 169 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.