Frost dates for 01845North Andover, MA
The average last spring frost in North Andover is April 21 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 182 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 182 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 23 · May 3 · May 16 | Sep 29 · Oct 9 · Oct 23 | 157 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 21 · May 1 | Oct 6 · Oct 21 · Nov 5 | 182 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 7 · Apr 20 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 208 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for North Andover
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 21 – May 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Jun 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 01845 is matched to the NOAA station Lawrence Muni Ap, MA, 4 km away, at 149 ft elevation (58 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence Muni Ap, MA (used) | 149 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 21 |
| Lawrence, MA | 50 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 28 |
| Groveland, MA | 30 ft | May 3 | Oct 8 |
| Haverhill, MA | 20 ft | May 1 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near North Andover
- Andover, MA 01899 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Lawrence, MA 01843 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
- West Boxford, MA 01885 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Methuen, MA 01844 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
- Boxford, MA 01921 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Haverhill, MA 01835 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Groveland, MA 01834 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- North Reading, MA 01864 · last May 3, first Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in North Andover, MA?
- For ZIP code 01845, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lawrence Muni Ap, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in North Andover, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 01845?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 182 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.