Northfield, MA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostOct 11median date
Growing season163 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Northfield compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Northfield falls between April 19 and May 15, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 28.
- The median last frost is 4 days later than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 163-day growing season is longer than 35% of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season (state median 169 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 5b, where the median is May 1.
- The weather station records an average of 154 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Chicopee, MA, 59 km away, the last frost here is 2 days earlier than there and the growing season is 5 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 19 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 11 |
| 90% (late) | October 28 |
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 Northfield, MA
Northfield, MA frost dates — last frost May 1, first frost Oct 11, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Nov 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Northfield, MA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 3 – May 8 | Aug 16 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Okra | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Basil | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 27 – Nov 1 |
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 Greenfield #3, MA weather station, 18 km away (elevation 131 ft (40 m)).
Frost dates near Northfield
- Gill May 1 · Oct 11
- Erving May 4 · Oct 8
- Warwick Apr 25 · Oct 17
- Bernardston May 1 · Oct 11
- Millers Falls May 1 · Oct 11
- Turners Falls May 1 · Oct 11
- Wendell May 4 · Oct 8
- Orange May 4 · Oct 8
- Lake Pleasant May 1 · Oct 11
- Wendell Depot May 4 · Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Northfield, MA?
The median last spring frost in Northfield, MA is May 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Northfield, MA?
The median first fall frost is October 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 29.
How long is the growing season in Northfield, MA?
About 163 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Northfield, MA?
Northfield, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.