Frost dates for 02655Osterville, MA
The average last spring frost in Osterville is April 16 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 195 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 195 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 166 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 16 · Apr 29 · May 13 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Nov 2 | 172 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 16 · Apr 30 | Oct 15 · Oct 30 · Nov 13 | 195 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 3 · Apr 15 | Oct 29 · Nov 11 · Nov 30 | 221 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Osterville
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 16 – May 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Jun 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 02655 is matched to the NOAA station Hyannis, MA, 7.7 km away, at 60 ft elevation (8 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyannis, MA (used) | 60 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 30 |
| Hyannis Barnstable Muni Ap, MA | 55 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 28 |
| E Sandwich, MA | 150 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 26 |
| W Harwich, MA | 15 ft | Apr 13 | Nov 3 |
Frost dates near Osterville
- Centerville, MA 02634 · last Apr 16, first Oct 30
- Cotuit, MA 02635 · last Apr 16, first Oct 30
- West Hyannisport, MA 02672 · last Apr 16, first Oct 30
- Marstons Mills, MA 02648 · last Apr 16, first Oct 30
- Hyannis Port, MA 02647 · last Apr 16, first Oct 30
- West Barnstable, MA 02668 · last Apr 16, first Oct 30
- Hyannis, MA 02601 · last Apr 16, first Oct 30
- Mashpee, MA 02649 · last Apr 16, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Osterville, MA?
- For ZIP code 02655, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hyannis, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Osterville, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 02655?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 195 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.