Nantucket, MA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 13median date
First fall frostNov 8median date
Growing season209 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Nantucket compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Nantucket falls between April 2 and April 27, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 25 and November 23.
- The median last frost is 14 days earlier than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 209-day growing season is longer than 97% of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season (state median 169 days).
- The last frost is 8 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 86 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with New Bedford, MA, 83 km away, the last frost here is 16 days earlier than there and the growing season is 40 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 2 |
| 50% (median) | April 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 25 |
| 50% (median) | November 8 |
| 90% (late) | November 23 |
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 Nantucket, MA
Nantucket, MA frost dates — last frost Apr 13, first frost Nov 8, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4
Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 18
Plant for fall: Oct 25 to Nov 29
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Nantucket, MA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 16 – Apr 20 | Sep 13 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Broccoli | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Okra | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Basil | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 20 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 4 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 27 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 25 – Nov 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 Nantucket Mem Ap, MA weather station, 3 km away (elevation 46 ft (14 m)).
ZIP codes in Nantucket: 02554 02584
Frost dates near Nantucket
- Siasconset Apr 13 · Nov 8
- Edgartown Apr 17 · Nov 3
- Dennis Port Apr 13 · Nov 3
- West Dennis Apr 13 · Nov 3
- Harwich Port Apr 13 · Nov 3
- West Harwich Apr 13 · Nov 3
- Hyannis Port Apr 16 · Oct 30
- West Yarmouth Apr 22 · Oct 28
- South Chatham Apr 13 · Nov 4
- West Hyannisport Apr 16 · Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Nantucket, MA?
The median last spring frost in Nantucket, MA is April 13. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Nantucket, MA?
The median first fall frost is November 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 25.
How long is the growing season in Nantucket, MA?
About 209 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Nantucket, MA?
Nantucket, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.