Frost dates for 02554Nantucket, MA
The average last spring frost in Nantucket is April 13 and the average first fall frost is November 8, giving a typical growing season of about 208 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 13
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 8
- Growing season
- 208 days
Safer after Apr 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 25 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 7 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 17 · Apr 28 · May 11 | Oct 13 · Oct 26 · Nov 9 | 180 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 13 · Apr 27 | Oct 25 · Nov 8 · Nov 23 | 208 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Mar 31 · Apr 12 | Nov 5 · Nov 23 · Dec 6 | 235 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Nantucket
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 13 – May 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jun 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 6 – May 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 29 – Nov 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 02554 is matched to the NOAA station Nantucket Mem Ap, MA, 3.5 km away, at 45 ft elevation (25 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nantucket Mem Ap, MA (used) | 45 ft | Apr 13 | Nov 8 |
| Edgartown, MA | 30 ft | Apr 17 | Nov 3 |
| W Harwich, MA | 15 ft | Apr 13 | Nov 3 |
| Chatham, MA | 40 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 15 |
Frost dates near Nantucket
- Nantucket, MA 02584 · last Apr 13, first Nov 8
- Siasconset, MA 02564 · last Apr 13, first Nov 8
- Edgartown, MA 02539 · last Apr 17, first Nov 3
- Dennis Port, MA 02639 · last Apr 22, first Oct 28
- West Dennis, MA 02670 · last Apr 22, first Oct 28
- Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 · last Apr 17, first Nov 3
- Hyannis Port, MA 02647 · last Apr 16, first Oct 30
- West Harwich, MA 02671 · last Apr 13, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Nantucket, MA?
- For ZIP code 02554, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Nantucket Mem Ap, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 27.
- When is the first frost in Nantucket, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 02554?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 208 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.