Barnstable, MA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 22median date
First fall frostOct 28median date
Growing season189 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Barnstable compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Barnstable falls between April 9 and May 5, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 13 and November 11.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 189-day growing season is longer than 83% of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season (state median 169 days).
- The last frost is 6 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 109 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with New Bedford, MA, 53 km away, the last frost here is 7 days earlier than there and the growing season is 20 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 13 |
| 50% (median) | October 28 |
| 90% (late) | November 11 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Barnstable, MA
Barnstable, MA frost dates — last frost Apr 22, first frost Oct 28, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Transplant outside: May 6 to May 27
Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Barnstable, MA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 29 | Sep 2 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Okra | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Basil | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 29 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 6 – May 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 14 – Nov 18 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Hyannis Barnstable Muni Ap, MA weather station, 4 km away (elevation 56 ft (17 m)).
Frost dates near Barnstable
- Cummaquid Apr 22 · Oct 28
- Hyannis Apr 16 · Oct 30
- West Barnstable Apr 16 · Oct 30
- Yarmouth Port Apr 22 · Oct 28
- Centerville Apr 16 · Oct 30
- West Yarmouth Apr 22 · Oct 28
- Hyannis Port Apr 16 · Oct 30
- West Hyannisport Apr 16 · Oct 30
- South Yarmouth Apr 13 · Nov 3
- Dennis Apr 13 · Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Barnstable, MA?
The median last spring frost in Barnstable, MA is April 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Barnstable, MA?
The median first fall frost is October 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 13.
How long is the growing season in Barnstable, MA?
About 189 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Barnstable, MA?
Barnstable, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.