Frost dates for 02650North Chatham, MA
The average last spring frost in North Chatham is April 13 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 206 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 13
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 206 days
Safer after Apr 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (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 15 · Apr 27 · May 8 | Oct 10 · Oct 23 · Nov 5 | 179 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 13 · Apr 26 | Oct 21 · Nov 4 · Nov 18 | 206 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Mar 31 · Apr 11 | Nov 3 · Nov 19 · Dec 3 | 234 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for North Chatham
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 15 |
| 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 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jun 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 15 |
| 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 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 02650 is matched to the NOAA station Chatham Muni Ap, MA, 2.8 km away, at 68 ft elevation (32 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chatham Muni Ap, MA (used) | 68 ft | Apr 13 | Nov 4 |
| Chatham, MA | 40 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 15 |
| W Harwich, MA | 15 ft | Apr 13 | Nov 3 |
| Hyannis Barnstable Muni Ap, MA | 55 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near North Chatham
- Chatham, MA 02633 · last Apr 13, first Nov 4
- West Chatham, MA 02669 · last Apr 13, first Nov 4
- South Chatham, MA 02659 · last Apr 13, first Nov 4
- South Harwich, MA 02661 · last Apr 13, first Nov 4
- South Orleans, MA 02662 · last Apr 13, first Nov 4
- Harwich, MA 02645 · last Apr 13, first Nov 4
- Orleans, MA 02653 · last Apr 13, first Nov 4
- East Orleans, MA 02643 · last Apr 13, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in North Chatham, MA?
- For ZIP code 02650, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Chatham Muni Ap, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 26.
- When is the first frost in North Chatham, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 02650?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 206 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.