Indian Orchard, MA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 3median date
First fall frostOct 8median date
Growing season158 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Indian Orchard compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Indian Orchard falls between April 20 and May 17, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 26 and October 25.
- The median last frost is 6 days later than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 158-day growing season is longer than 18% of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season (state median 169 days).
- The last frost is 4 days later than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 144 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Indian Orchard shares its weather station with Springfield, MA, 6 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 20 |
| 50% (median) | May 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 26 |
| 50% (median) | October 8 |
| 90% (late) | October 25 |
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 Indian Orchard, MA
Indian Orchard, MA frost dates — last frost May 3, first frost Oct 8, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Transplant outside: May 17 to Jun 7
Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 29
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Indian Orchard, MA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 5 – May 10 | Aug 13 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Broccoli | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Okra | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — |
| Basil | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 29 – May 10 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 24 – Oct 29 |
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 Westfield Barnes Muni Ap, MA weather station, 17 km away (elevation 272 ft (83 m)).
Frost dates near Indian Orchard
- Ludlow May 3 · Oct 14
- Wilbraham May 3 · Oct 14
- Springfield May 3 · Oct 8
- Chicopee May 3 · Oct 8
- Longmeadow May 3 · Oct 8
- East Longmeadow May 3 · Oct 8
- West Springfield May 3 · Oct 8
- Holyoke May 3 · Oct 8
- South Hadley May 3 · Oct 8
- Hampden May 7 · Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Indian Orchard, MA?
The median last spring frost in Indian Orchard, MA is May 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 17, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Indian Orchard, MA?
The median first fall frost is October 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 26.
How long is the growing season in Indian Orchard, MA?
About 158 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Indian Orchard, MA?
Indian Orchard, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.