Frost dates for 01853Lowell, 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 01853 is matched to the NOAA station Lowell, MA, 4 km away, at 110 ft elevation (8 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 |
| Nashua Cwsu, NH | 180 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Lowell
- Lowell, MA 01851 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Dracut, MA 01826 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Chelmsford, MA 01824 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- North Chelmsford, MA 01863 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- North Billerica, MA 01862 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Tewksbury, MA 01876 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Billerica, MA 01822 · last Apr 27, first Oct 13
- Tyngsboro, MA 01879 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lowell, MA?
- For ZIP code 01853, 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 01853?
- 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.