Frost dates for 01840Lawrence, MA
The average last spring frost in Lawrence is April 13 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 198 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 198 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 163 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 12 · Apr 25 · May 10 | Oct 2 · Oct 16 · Oct 30 | 173 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 13 · Apr 29 | Oct 13 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 198 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 3 · Apr 17 | Oct 27 · Nov 9 · Nov 25 | 221 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lawrence
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 13 – May 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jun 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 6 – May 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 01840 is matched to the NOAA station Lawrence, MA, 1 km away, at 50 ft elevation (7 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence, MA (used) | 50 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 28 |
| Lawrence Muni Ap, MA | 149 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 21 |
| Haverhill, MA | 20 ft | May 1 | Oct 12 |
| Groveland, MA | 30 ft | May 3 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Lawrence
- Lawrence, MA 01842 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
- Methuen, MA 01844 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
- North Andover, MA 01845 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Andover, MA 01899 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Haverhill, MA 01831 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- West Boxford, MA 01885 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Salem, NH 03079 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Pelham, NH 03076 · last May 3, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lawrence, MA?
- For ZIP code 01840, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lawrence, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Lawrence, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 01840?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 198 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.