Frost dates for 02557Oak Bluffs, MA
The average last spring frost in Oak Bluffs is April 17 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 199 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 17
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 199 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 2 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 19 · May 1 · May 16 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 173 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 17 · May 3 | Oct 20 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 199 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 2 · Apr 17 | Nov 1 · Nov 16 · Dec 3 | 226 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Oak Bluffs
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 17 – May 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Jun 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 02557 is matched to the NOAA station Edgartown, MA, 8.5 km away, at 30 ft elevation (23 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edgartown, MA (used) | 30 ft | Apr 17 | Nov 3 |
| Vineyard Haven Ap, MA | 68 ft | May 7 | Oct 9 |
| Woods Hole Golf Club, MA | 80 ft | Apr 11 | Nov 11 |
| E Sandwich, MA | 150 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Oak Bluffs
- Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 · last May 7, first Oct 9
- Edgartown, MA 02539 · last Apr 17, first Nov 3
- West Tisbury, MA 02575 · last May 7, first Oct 9
- Menemsha, MA 02552 · last May 7, first Oct 9
- Falmouth, MA 02541 · last May 7, first Oct 9
- Woods Hole, MA 02543 · last May 7, first Oct 9
- East Falmouth, MA 02536 · last Apr 21, first Oct 24
- West Falmouth, MA 02574 · last Apr 21, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oak Bluffs, MA?
- For ZIP code 02557, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Edgartown, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in Oak Bluffs, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 02557?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 199 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.