Southbridge, MA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 25median date
First fall frostOct 13median date
Growing season171 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Southbridge compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Southbridge falls between April 14 and May 8, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 2 and October 26.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 171-day growing season is longer than 54% of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season (state median 169 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6b, where the median is Apr 22.
- The weather station records an average of 147 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Worcester, MA, 29 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 10 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 14 |
| 50% (median) | April 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 2 |
| 50% (median) | October 13 |
| 90% (late) | October 26 |
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 Southbridge, MA
Southbridge, MA frost dates — last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 13, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to May 2Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Transplant outside: May 9 to May 30
Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Nov 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Southbridge, MA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Mar 28 – May 2 | Aug 18 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Okra | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Basil | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 21 – May 2 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 9 – May 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 29 – Nov 3 |
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 Southbridge 3 Sw, MA weather station, 4 km away (elevation 686 ft (209 m)).
Frost dates near Southbridge
- Sturbridge Apr 28 · Oct 15
- Fiskdale Apr 28 · Oct 15
- Charlton City May 1 · Oct 10
- Charlton May 1 · Oct 10
- Holland Apr 25 · Oct 13
- Charlton Depot May 1 · Oct 10
- Dudley May 1 · Oct 10
- Brimfield Apr 28 · Oct 15
- Wales Apr 28 · Oct 15
- Oxford May 1 · Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Southbridge, MA?
The median last spring frost in Southbridge, MA is April 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Southbridge, MA?
The median first fall frost is October 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 2.
How long is the growing season in Southbridge, MA?
About 171 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Southbridge, MA?
Southbridge, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.