Frost dates for 02584Nantucket, 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 02584 is matched to the NOAA station Nantucket Mem Ap, MA, 3 km away, at 45 ft elevation (22 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 |
| Chatham, MA | 40 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 15 |
| W Harwich, MA | 15 ft | Apr 13 | Nov 3 |
Frost dates near Nantucket
- Nantucket, MA 02554 · 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
- Harwich Port, MA 02646 · last Apr 13, first Nov 4
- West Harwich, MA 02671 · last Apr 13, first Nov 4
- West Dennis, MA 02670 · last Apr 22, first Oct 28
- South Chatham, MA 02659 · last Apr 13, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Nantucket, MA?
- For ZIP code 02584, 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 02584?
- 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.