Canton, MA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 25median date
First fall frostOct 9median date
Growing season167 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Canton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Canton falls between April 9 and May 11, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 28 and October 30.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 167-day growing season is longer than 45% of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season (state median 169 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6b, where the median is Apr 22.
- The weather station records an average of 139 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Brockton, MA, 13 km away, the last frost here is 3 days later than there and the growing season is 13 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 28 |
| 50% (median) | October 9 |
| 90% (late) | October 30 |
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 Canton, MA
Canton, MA frost dates — last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 9, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Transplant outside: May 9 to May 30
Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Canton, MA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Mar 28 – May 2 | Aug 14 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Okra | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Basil | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 21 – May 2 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 9 – May 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 25 – Oct 30 |
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 Norwood Mem Ap, MA weather station, 4 km away (elevation 49 ft (15 m)).
Frost dates near Canton
- Stoughton Apr 25 · Oct 9
- Dedham Apr 18 · Oct 26
- Norwood Apr 25 · Oct 9
- East Walpole Apr 27 · Oct 14
- Sharon Apr 27 · Oct 14
- Randolph Apr 18 · Oct 26
- Westwood Apr 25 · Oct 9
- Braintree Apr 18 · Oct 26
- Readville Apr 18 · Oct 26
- Avon Apr 22 · Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Canton, MA?
The median last spring frost in Canton, MA is April 25. 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 Canton, MA?
The median first fall frost is October 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 28.
How long is the growing season in Canton, MA?
About 167 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Canton, MA?
Canton, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.