Frost dates for 01970 — Salem, MA
Last spring frostApr 25median date
First fall frostOct 20median date
Growing season178 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Salem compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Salem falls between April 12 and May 13, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 5 and November 3.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 178-day growing season is longer than 62% of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season (state median 169 days).
- The last frost is 9 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 108 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Salem shares its weather station with Lynn, MA, 7 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 12 |
| 50% (median) | April 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 5 |
| 50% (median) | October 20 |
| 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 Salem, MA
Frost dates for 01970 — Salem, MA — last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 20, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
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 25 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
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 28 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to May 2Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 16Sow 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 16Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
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 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Transplant outside: May 9 to May 30
Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Salem, 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 25 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| 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 28 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 21 – May 2 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| 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 28 – Aug 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 9 – May 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 6 – Nov 10 |
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 Marblehead, MA weather station, 3 km away (elevation 85 ft (26 m)).
ZIP codes in Salem: 01970 01971
Frost dates near Salem
- Marblehead Apr 25 · Oct 20
- Swampscott Apr 25 · Oct 20
- Beverly Apr 24 · Oct 17
- Danvers Apr 24 · Oct 17
- Lynn Apr 25 · Oct 20
- Prides Crossing May 4 · Oct 12
- Peabody Apr 24 · Oct 17
- Wenham Apr 24 · Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Salem, MA?
The median last spring frost in Salem, MA is April 25. 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 Salem, MA?
The median first fall frost is October 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 5.
How long is the growing season in Salem, MA?
About 178 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Salem, MA?
Salem, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.