Frost dates for 02740New Bedford, MA
The average last spring frost in New Bedford is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 167 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 167 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 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 28 · May 12 · May 27 | Sep 22 · Oct 3 · Oct 18 | 144 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 29 · May 15 | Oct 2 · Oct 15 · Oct 31 | 167 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · Apr 30 | Oct 12 · Oct 28 · Nov 12 | 194 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for New Bedford
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 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 02740 is matched to the NOAA station New Bedford Muni Ap, MA, 5 km away, at 80 ft elevation (5 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Bedford Muni Ap, MA (used) | 80 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 15 |
| New Bedford Coop, MA | 18 ft | Apr 11 | Nov 5 |
| Rochester, MA | 65 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 21 |
| Tiverton, RI | 90 ft | Apr 11 | Nov 2 |
Frost dates near New Bedford
- New Bedford, MA 02741 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Fairhaven, MA 02719 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- North Dartmouth, MA 02747 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Acushnet, MA 02743 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- South Dartmouth, MA 02748 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Mattapoisett, MA 02739 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Westport, MA 02790 · last Apr 11, first Nov 2
- East Freetown, MA 02717 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in New Bedford, MA?
- For ZIP code 02740, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the New Bedford Muni Ap, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in New Bedford, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 02740?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 167 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.