Frost dates for 01971 — Salem, MA
Last spring frostMay 4median date
First fall frostOct 12median date
Growing season161 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Salem compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Salem falls between April 24 and May 17, a 23-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 28.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 161-day growing season is longer than 26% of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season (state median 169 days).
- The last frost is 12 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 133 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Peabody, MA, 7 km away, the last frost here is 10 days later than there and the growing season is 15 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 24 |
| 50% (median) | May 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 12 |
| 90% (late) | October 28 |
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 01971 — Salem, MA — last frost May 4, first frost Oct 12, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 8
Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Nov 2
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Salem, MA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 6 – May 11 | Aug 17 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Okra | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 25 – Jun 8 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Basil | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 30 – May 11 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| 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 Beverly, MA weather station, 6 km away (elevation 66 ft (20 m)).
ZIP codes in Salem: 01970 01971
Frost dates near Salem
- Hamilton May 4 · Oct 12
- South Hamilton May 4 · Oct 12
- Wenham Apr 24 · Oct 17
- Ipswich May 4 · Oct 12
- Topsfield Apr 24 · Oct 17
- Peabody Apr 24 · Oct 17
- Essex May 4 · Oct 12
- Beverly Apr 24 · Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Salem, MA?
The median last spring frost in Salem, MA is May 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 17, 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 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Salem, MA?
About 161 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Salem, MA?
Salem, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.