Frost dates for 01949Middleton, MA
The average last spring frost in Middleton is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 157 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 157 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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) | May 2 · May 17 · May 29 | Sep 18 · Oct 1 · Oct 12 | 137 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 3 · May 20 | Sep 29 · Oct 9 · Oct 24 | 157 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 21 · May 6 | Oct 6 · Oct 21 · Nov 4 | 182 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Middleton
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 | Apr 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 01949 is matched to the NOAA station Middleton, MA, 0.5 km away, at 110 ft elevation (38 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middleton, MA (used) | 110 ft | May 3 | Oct 9 |
| Beverly Muni Ap, MA | 108 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 17 |
| Reading, MA | 110 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 17 |
| Beverly, MA | 65 ft | May 4 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Middleton
- Hathorne, MA 01937 · last May 3, first Oct 9
- North Reading, MA 01825 · last May 3, first Oct 9
- Danvers, MA 01923 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Lynnfield, MA 01940 · last May 3, first Oct 9
- Topsfield, MA 01983 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Peabody, MA 01960 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Boxford, MA 01921 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Reading, MA 01867 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Middleton, MA?
- For ZIP code 01949, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Middleton, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Middleton, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 01949?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 157 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.