Frost dates for 01864 — North Reading, MA
Last spring frostMay 3median date
First fall frostOct 9median date
Growing season159 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How North Reading compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in North Reading falls between April 20 and May 20, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 24.
- The median last frost is 6 days later than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 159-day growing season is longer than 23% of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season (state median 169 days).
- The last frost is 11 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 129 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Peabody, MA, 14 km away, the last frost here is 9 days later than there and the growing season is 17 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 20 |
| 50% (median) | May 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 9 |
| 90% (late) | October 24 |
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 North Reading, MA
Frost dates for 01864 — North Reading, MA — last frost May 3, first frost Oct 9, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Transplant outside: May 17 to Jun 7
Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in North Reading, MA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 5 – May 10 | Aug 14 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Okra | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — |
| Basil | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 29 – May 10 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 25 – Oct 30 |
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 Middleton, MA weather station, 6 km away (elevation 112 ft (34 m)).
ZIP codes in North Reading: 01825 01864 01889
Frost dates near North Reading
- Reading Apr 25 · Oct 17
- Middleton May 3 · Oct 9
- Wilmington Apr 25 · Oct 17
- Lynnfield May 3 · Oct 9
- Wakefield Apr 25 · Oct 17
- Andover Apr 13 · Oct 28
- Hathorne May 3 · Oct 9
- Tewksbury Apr 13 · Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in North Reading, MA?
The median last spring frost in North Reading, MA is May 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in North Reading, MA?
The median first fall frost is October 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 29.
How long is the growing season in North Reading, MA?
About 159 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is North Reading, MA?
North Reading, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.