Frost dates for 02744New 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 02744 is matched to the NOAA station New Bedford Muni Ap, MA, 7.9 km away, at 80 ft elevation (51 ft higher 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 |
| Woods Hole Golf Club, MA | 80 ft | Apr 11 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near New Bedford
- New Bedford, MA 02740 · 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
- South Dartmouth, MA 02748 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Acushnet, MA 02743 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Mattapoisett, MA 02739 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Westport, MA 02790 · last Apr 11, first Nov 2
- Westport Point, MA 02791 · last Apr 11, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in New Bedford, MA?
- For ZIP code 02744, 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 02744?
- 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.