Frost dates for 02090Westwood, MA
The average last spring frost in Westwood 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 177 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 Westwood
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 02090 is matched to the NOAA station Walpole 2, MA, 6.7 km away, at 170 ft elevation (60 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 |
| Norwood Mem Ap, MA | 50 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 9 |
| Blue Hill, MA | 625 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 24 |
| Blue Hill Coop, MA | 625 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Westwood
- Norwood, MA 02062 · last Apr 25, first Oct 9
- Dedham, MA 02026 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Dover, MA 02030 · last Apr 27, first Oct 14
- Readville, MA 02137 · last Apr 25, first Oct 9
- East Walpole, MA 02032 · last Apr 27, first Oct 14
- Needham, MA 02492 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Hyde Park, MA 02136 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- West Roxbury, MA 02132 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Westwood, MA?
- For ZIP code 02090, 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 Westwood, 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 02090?
- 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.