Frost dates for 01608 — Worcester, MA
Last spring frostApr 23median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season181 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Worcester compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Worcester falls between April 11 and May 5, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 6 and November 3.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 181-day growing season is longer than 70% of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season (state median 169 days).
- The last frost is 6 days earlier 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 130 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Boston, MA, 63 km away, the last frost here is 19 days later than there and the growing season is 38 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 11 |
| 50% (median) | April 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 6 |
| 50% (median) | October 21 |
| 90% (late) | November 3 |
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 Worcester, MA
Frost dates for 01608 — Worcester, MA — last frost Apr 23, first frost Oct 21, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Transplant outside: May 7 to May 28
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Worcester, MA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Basil | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 30 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 7 – May 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 7 – Nov 11 |
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 Worcester Rgnl Ap, MA weather station, 6 km away (elevation 1,001 ft (305 m)).
ZIP codes in Worcester: 01601 01602 01603 01604 01605 01606 01607 01608 01609 01610 01613 01614 01615 01653 01655
Frost dates near Worcester
- Cherry Valley Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Auburn Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Shrewsbury Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Millbury Apr 23 · Oct 21
- North Grafton Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Holden Apr 23 · Oct 21
- West Millbury May 1 · Oct 10
- Boylston Apr 23 · Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Worcester, MA?
The median last spring frost in Worcester, MA is April 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Worcester, MA?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 6.
How long is the growing season in Worcester, MA?
About 181 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Worcester, MA?
Worcester, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.