Frost dates for 02137Readville, MA
The average last spring frost in Readville is April 25 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 167 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 167 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 175 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 25 · May 8 · May 24 | Sep 17 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 143 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 25 · May 11 | Sep 28 · Oct 9 · Oct 30 | 167 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 8 · Apr 27 | Oct 6 · Oct 23 · Nov 9 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Readville
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 25 – May 31 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Jun 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 02137 is matched to the NOAA station Norwood Mem Ap, MA, 6.3 km away, at 50 ft elevation (1 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwood Mem Ap, MA (used) | 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 |
| Jamaica Plain, MA | 95 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Readville
- Hyde Park, MA 02136 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Dedham, MA 02026 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- West Roxbury, MA 02132 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Roslindale, MA 02131 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Mattapan, MA 02126 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Milton, MA 02186 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Milton Village, MA 02187 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Westwood, MA 02090 · last Apr 27, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Readville, MA?
- For ZIP code 02137, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Norwood Mem Ap, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Readville, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 02137?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 167 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.