Frost dates for 01852Lowell, MA
The average last spring frost in Lowell is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 164 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (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 30 · May 9 · May 21 | Sep 21 · Oct 1 · Oct 12 | 144 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · Apr 30 · May 10 | Sep 30 · Oct 10 · Oct 24 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 18 · Apr 29 | Oct 9 · Oct 22 · Nov 5 | 187 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lowell
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 20 |
| 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 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 20 |
| 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 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 01852 is matched to the NOAA station Lowell, MA, 5.4 km away, at 110 ft elevation (15 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowell, MA (used) | 110 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 10 |
| Lawrence, MA | 50 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 28 |
| Bedford, MA | 160 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 13 |
| Lawrence Muni Ap, MA | 149 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Lowell
- Lowell, MA 01853 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Dracut, MA 01826 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- North Billerica, MA 01862 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Chelmsford, MA 01824 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Tewksbury, MA 01876 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- North Chelmsford, MA 01863 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Billerica, MA 01822 · last Apr 27, first Oct 13
- Andover, MA 01812 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lowell, MA?
- For ZIP code 01852, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lowell, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Lowell, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 01852?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 164 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.