Frost dates for 01844Methuen, MA
The average last spring frost in Methuen 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 Methuen
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 01844 is matched to the NOAA station Lawrence, MA, 3.4 km away, at 50 ft elevation (62 ft lower 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 Methuen
- Lawrence, MA 01841 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
- Haverhill, MA 01831 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Salem, NH 03079 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- North Andover, MA 01845 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Andover, MA 01899 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- West Boxford, MA 01885 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Pelham, NH 03076 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Atkinson, NH 03811 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Methuen, MA?
- For ZIP code 01844, 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 Methuen, 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 01844?
- 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.