Frost dates for 02474Arlington, MA
The average last spring frost in Arlington is April 25 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (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 26 · May 7 · May 20 | Sep 26 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 151 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 25 · May 8 | Oct 3 · Oct 17 · Nov 1 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 11 · Apr 24 | Oct 14 · Oct 30 · Nov 11 | 201 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Arlington
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 27 |
| 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 – Jul 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 27 |
| 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 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Jun 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 02474 is matched to the NOAA station Reading, MA, 11.8 km away, at 110 ft elevation (41 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading, MA (used) | 110 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 17 |
| Bedford Hanscom Fld, MA | 133 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 10 |
| Bedford, MA | 160 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 13 |
| Jamaica Plain, MA | 95 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Arlington
- Arlington, MA 02476 · last Apr 27, first Oct 13
- Arlington Heights, MA 02475 · last Apr 27, first Oct 13
- West Medford, MA 02156 · last Apr 4, first Nov 9
- Belmont, MA 02478 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Cambridge, MA 02140 · last Apr 4, first Nov 9
- Somerville, MA 02144 · last Apr 4, first Nov 9
- Winchester, MA 01890 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Medford, MA 02155 · last Apr 4, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Arlington, MA?
- For ZIP code 02474, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Reading, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Arlington, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 02474?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 174 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.