Chilmark, MA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 7median date
First fall frostOct 9median date
Growing season155 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Chilmark compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Chilmark falls between April 22 and May 27, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 23 and October 31.
- The median last frost is 10 days later than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 155-day growing season is longer than 11% of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season (state median 169 days).
- The last frost is 32 days later than the zone 7b median of Apr 5. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 115 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with New Bedford, MA, 36 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 14 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 22 |
| 50% (median) | May 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 23 |
| 50% (median) | October 9 |
| 90% (late) | October 31 |
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 Chilmark, MA
Chilmark, MA frost dates — last frost May 7, first frost Oct 9, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 21 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: May 14 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 11
Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Chilmark, MA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Apr 9 – May 14 | Aug 14 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Okra | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 28 – Jun 11 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Basil | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 2 – May 14 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | May 21 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | — | May 14 – May 28 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | — | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 23 – May 21 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 21 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| 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 Vineyard Haven Ap, MA weather station, 11 km away (elevation 69 ft (21 m)).
Frost dates near Chilmark
- Menemsha May 7 · Oct 9
- West Tisbury May 7 · Oct 9
- Vineyard Haven May 7 · Oct 9
- Cuttyhunk Apr 11 · Nov 5
- Edgartown Apr 17 · Nov 3
- Oak Bluffs May 7 · Oct 9
- Woods Hole Apr 11 · Nov 11
- Falmouth Apr 11 · Nov 11
- West Falmouth Apr 11 · Nov 11
- East Falmouth Apr 11 · Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Chilmark, MA?
The median last spring frost in Chilmark, MA is May 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Chilmark, MA?
The median first fall frost is October 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 23.
How long is the growing season in Chilmark, MA?
About 155 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Chilmark, MA?
Chilmark, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.