Boxborough, MA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostOct 6median date
Growing season157 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Boxborough compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Boxborough falls between April 22 and May 16, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 25 and October 22.
- The median last frost is 5 days later than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 157-day growing season is longer than 14% of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season (state median 169 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6a, where the median is Apr 29.
- The weather station records an average of 147 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Boxborough shares its weather station with Framingham, MA, 13 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 22 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 25 |
| 50% (median) | October 6 |
| 90% (late) | October 22 |
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 Boxborough, MA
Boxborough, MA frost dates — last frost May 2, first frost Oct 6, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Boxborough, MA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Aug 11 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 22 – Oct 27 |
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 Maynard, MA weather station, 9 km away (elevation 207 ft (63 m)).
Frost dates near Boxborough
- Harvard May 2 · Oct 6
- Littleton May 2 · Oct 6
- Stow May 2 · Oct 6
- Acton May 2 · Oct 6
- New Town May 2 · Oct 6
- Still River Apr 29 · Oct 11
- Maynard May 2 · Oct 6
- Bolton May 2 · Oct 6
- Ayer Apr 29 · Oct 11
- Devens Apr 29 · Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Boxborough, MA?
The median last spring frost in Boxborough, MA is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Boxborough, MA?
The median first fall frost is October 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 25.
How long is the growing season in Boxborough, MA?
About 157 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Boxborough, MA?
Boxborough, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.