Frost dates for 02030Dover, MA
The average last spring frost in Dover is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 169 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 169 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 27 · May 9 · May 22 | Sep 23 · Oct 3 · Oct 16 | 148 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 27 · May 11 | Oct 2 · Oct 14 · Oct 29 | 169 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 13 · Apr 26 | Oct 11 · Oct 26 · Nov 10 | 196 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dover
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 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 02030 is matched to the NOAA station Walpole 2, MA, 9 km away, at 170 ft elevation (1 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walpole 2, MA (used) | 170 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 14 |
| Natick, MA | 180 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 12 |
| Norwood Mem Ap, MA | 50 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 9 |
| Blue Hill Coop, MA | 625 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Dover
- Needham, MA 02492 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Medfield, MA 02052 · last Apr 27, first Oct 14
- Wellesley, MA 02482 · last Apr 27, first Oct 14
- Westwood, MA 02090 · last Apr 27, first Oct 14
- Babson Park, MA 02457 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Sherborn, MA 01770 · last Apr 27, first Oct 14
- Needham Heights, MA 02494 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Natick, MA 01760 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dover, MA?
- For ZIP code 02030, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Walpole 2, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Dover, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 02030?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 169 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.