Sutton, MA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostOct 10median date
Growing season162 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Sutton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sutton falls between April 21 and May 13, a 22-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 28 and October 27.
- The median last frost is 4 days later than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 162-day growing season is longer than 30% of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season (state median 169 days).
- The last frost is 9 days later than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 153 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Worcester, MA, 18 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 19 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 21 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 28 |
| 50% (median) | October 10 |
| 90% (late) | October 27 |
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 Sutton, MA
Sutton, MA frost dates — last frost May 1, first frost Oct 10, zone 6b. 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 15 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
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 18 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
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 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 31
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sutton, 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 15 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| 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 18 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| 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 18 – Aug 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 26 – Oct 31 |
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 Buffumville Lake, MA weather station, 13 km away (elevation 522 ft (159 m)).
Frost dates near Sutton
- Manchaug May 1 · Oct 10
- West Millbury May 1 · Oct 10
- South Grafton Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Whitinsville Apr 30 · Oct 9
- Millbury Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Douglas May 1 · Oct 10
- Northbridge Apr 30 · Oct 9
- Oxford May 1 · Oct 10
- Linwood Apr 22 · Oct 19
- Grafton Apr 23 · Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sutton, MA?
The median last spring frost in Sutton, MA is May 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sutton, MA?
The median first fall frost is October 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 28.
How long is the growing season in Sutton, MA?
About 162 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sutton, MA?
Sutton, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.