Frost dates for 02556North Falmouth, MA
The average last spring frost in North Falmouth is April 21 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 186 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 186 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 22 · May 2 · May 14 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 27 | 163 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 21 · May 3 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 7 | 186 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 6 · Apr 21 | Oct 21 · Nov 4 · Nov 18 | 208 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for North Falmouth
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 21 – May 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Jun 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 02556 is matched to the NOAA station E Wareham, MA, 14.3 km away, at 30 ft elevation (3 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| E Wareham, MA (used) | 30 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 24 |
| Woods Hole Golf Club, MA | 80 ft | Apr 11 | Nov 11 |
| E Sandwich, MA | 150 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 26 |
| New Bedford Coop, MA | 18 ft | Apr 11 | Nov 5 |
Frost dates near North Falmouth
- Cataumet, MA 02534 · last Apr 21, first Oct 24
- West Falmouth, MA 02574 · last Apr 21, first Oct 24
- Pocasset, MA 02559 · last Apr 21, first Oct 24
- Buzzards Bay, MA 02542 · last Apr 21, first Oct 24
- East Falmouth, MA 02536 · last Apr 21, first Oct 24
- Falmouth, MA 02540 · last May 7, first Oct 9
- Monument Beach, MA 02553 · last Apr 21, first Oct 24
- Forestdale, MA 02644 · last Apr 21, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in North Falmouth, MA?
- For ZIP code 02556, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the E Wareham, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in North Falmouth, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 02556?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 186 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.