Frost dates for 02779Berkley, MA
The average last spring frost in Berkley is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 158 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 158 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 30 · May 14 · May 29 | Sep 13 · Sep 28 · Oct 10 | 134 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 2 · May 16 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 25 | 158 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 18 · May 2 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 7 | 186 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Berkley
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 | Apr 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 02779 is matched to the NOAA station Taunton Muni Ap, MA, 6.4 km away, at 43 ft elevation (46 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taunton Muni Ap, MA (used) | 43 ft | May 2 | Oct 8 |
| Taunton, MA | 20 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 19 |
| Rochester, MA | 65 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 21 |
| Nws Boston/Norton, MA | 85 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Berkley
- Assonet, MA 02702 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Dighton, MA 02715 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- North Dighton, MA 02764 · last Apr 22, first Oct 19
- East Taunton, MA 02718 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Taunton, MA 02780 · last Apr 22, first Oct 19
- Dartmouth, MA 02714 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Raynham Center, MA 02768 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Lakeville, MA 02347 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Berkley, MA?
- For ZIP code 02779, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Taunton Muni Ap, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Berkley, MA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 02779?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 158 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.