Frost dates for 01701 — Framingham, MA
Last spring frostApr 26median date
First fall frostOct 12median date
Growing season169 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Framingham compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Framingham falls between April 14 and May 9, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 26.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 169-day growing season is longer than 46% of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season (state median 169 days).
- The last frost is 4 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 143 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Newton, MA, 20 km away, the last frost here is 7 days later than there and the growing season is 18 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 14 |
| 50% (median) | April 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 12 |
| 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 Framingham, MA
Frost dates for 01701 — Framingham, MA — last frost Apr 26, first frost Oct 12, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Transplant outside: May 10 to May 31
Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Nov 2
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Framingham, MA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Mar 29 – May 3 | Aug 17 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Okra | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Basil | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 22 – May 3 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 10 – May 31 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 28 – Nov 2 |
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 Natick, MA weather station, 7 km away (elevation 180 ft (55 m)).
ZIP codes in Framingham: 01701 01702 01703 01704 01705
Frost dates near Framingham
- Natick Apr 26 · Oct 12
- Ashland Apr 26 · Oct 12
- Fayville Apr 26 · Oct 12
- Wayland Apr 26 · Oct 12
- Sherborn Apr 26 · Oct 12
- Southborough Apr 26 · Oct 12
- Sudbury May 2 · Oct 6
- Wellesley Apr 26 · Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Framingham, MA?
The median last spring frost in Framingham, MA is April 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Framingham, MA?
The median first fall frost is October 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Framingham, MA?
About 169 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Framingham, MA?
Framingham, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.