Frost dates for 01984Wenham, MA
The average last spring frost in Wenham is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 160 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 160 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 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 3 · May 15 · May 26 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 139 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 4 · May 17 | Oct 1 · Oct 12 · Oct 28 | 160 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 23 · May 5 | Oct 10 · Oct 25 · Nov 8 | 184 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wenham
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 01984 is matched to the NOAA station Beverly, MA, 3.7 km away, at 65 ft elevation (9 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beverly, MA (used) | 65 ft | May 4 | Oct 12 |
| Beverly Muni Ap, MA | 108 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 17 |
| Marblehead, MA | 84 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 20 |
| Middleton, MA | 110 ft | May 3 | Oct 9 |
Frost dates near Wenham
- South Hamilton, MA 01982 · last May 4, first Oct 12
- Hamilton, MA 01936 · last May 4, first Oct 12
- Peabody, MA 01961 · last May 4, first Oct 12
- Salem, MA 01971 · last May 4, first Oct 12
- Beverly, MA 01915 · last May 4, first Oct 12
- Danvers, MA 01923 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Prides Crossing, MA 01965 · last May 4, first Oct 12
- Topsfield, MA 01983 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wenham, MA?
- For ZIP code 01984, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Beverly, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Wenham, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 01984?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 160 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.