Bedford, MA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 27median date
First fall frostOct 13median date
Growing season169 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Bedford compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bedford falls between April 13 and May 11, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 29.
- The median last frost is the same as the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 169-day growing season is longer than 46% of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season (state median 169 days).
- The last frost is 5 days later than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 140 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Waltham, MA, 12 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is 4 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 13 |
| 50% (median) | April 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 13 |
| 90% (late) | October 29 |
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 Bedford, MA
Bedford, MA frost dates — last frost Apr 27, first frost Oct 13, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to May 4Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Transplant outside: May 11 to Jun 1
Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Nov 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bedford, MA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Mar 30 – May 4 | Aug 18 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Okra | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Basil | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 23 – May 4 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 29 – Nov 3 |
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 Bedford, MA weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 161 ft (49 m)).
Frost dates near Bedford
- Hanscom Afb Apr 28 · Oct 10
- Lexington Apr 28 · Oct 10
- Nutting Lake Apr 27 · Oct 13
- Pinehurst Apr 27 · Oct 13
- Burlington Apr 25 · Oct 17
- Lincoln Apr 28 · Oct 10
- Carlisle Apr 27 · Oct 13
- Billerica Apr 27 · Oct 13
- Concord May 2 · Oct 6
- Woburn Apr 25 · Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bedford, MA?
The median last spring frost in Bedford, MA is April 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bedford, MA?
The median first fall frost is October 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Bedford, MA?
About 169 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bedford, MA?
Bedford, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.