Cheshire, MA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 10median date
First fall frostOct 4median date
Growing season147 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Cheshire compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cheshire falls between April 27 and May 25, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 21 and October 19.
- The median last frost is 13 days later than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 147-day growing season is longer than 6% of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season (state median 169 days).
- The last frost is 9 days later than the zone 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 149 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Albany, NY, 51 km away, the last frost here is 13 days later than there and the growing season is 24 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 27 |
| 50% (median) | May 10 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 25 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 21 |
| 50% (median) | October 4 |
| 90% (late) | October 19 |
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 Cheshire, MA
Cheshire, MA frost dates — last frost May 10, first frost Oct 4, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 24 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: May 17 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 14
Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cheshire, MA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 12 – May 17 | Aug 9 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 31 – Jun 14 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Basil | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 5 – May 17 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | May 24 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | — | May 17 – May 31 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | — | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 26 – May 24 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 24 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 20 – Oct 25 |
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 North Adams Harriman Ap, MA weather station, 15 km away (elevation 653 ft (199 m)).
Frost dates near Cheshire
- Berkshire May 5 · Oct 5
- Lanesborough May 5 · Oct 5
- Adams May 10 · Oct 4
- Dalton May 5 · Oct 5
- Windsor May 17 · Oct 1
- Savoy May 17 · Oct 1
- Hinsdale May 13 · Oct 2
- North Adams May 10 · Oct 4
- Drury May 17 · Oct 1
- Williamstown May 10 · Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cheshire, MA?
The median last spring frost in Cheshire, MA is May 10. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 25, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Cheshire, MA?
The median first fall frost is October 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 21.
How long is the growing season in Cheshire, MA?
About 147 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cheshire, MA?
Cheshire, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.