Frost dates for 02142 — Cambridge, MA
Last spring frostApr 4median date
First fall frostNov 9median date
Growing season219 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Cambridge compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cambridge falls between March 25 and April 17, a 23-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 29 and November 22.
- The median last frost is 23 days earlier than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 219-day growing season is among the longest of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 12 days earlier 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 92 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Cambridge shares its weather station with Boston, MA, 4 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 25 |
| 50% (median) | April 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 29 |
| 50% (median) | November 9 |
| 90% (late) | November 22 |
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 Cambridge, MA
Frost dates for 02142 — Cambridge, MA — last frost Apr 4, first frost Nov 9, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 9
Plant for fall: Oct 26 to Nov 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cambridge, MA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 7 – Apr 11 | Sep 14 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Okra | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Basil | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 28 – Apr 11 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 26 – Nov 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 Boston Logan Intl Ap, MA weather station, 6 km away (elevation 13 ft (4 m)).
ZIP codes in Cambridge: 02138 02139 02140 02141 02142 02238
Frost dates near Cambridge
- Charlestown Apr 4 · Nov 9
- Roxbury Crossing Apr 19 · Oct 23
- Somerville Apr 4 · Nov 9
- Boston Apr 4 · Nov 9
- Brookline Village Apr 19 · Oct 23
- Allston Apr 19 · Oct 23
- Roxbury Apr 19 · Oct 23
- Brookline Apr 19 · Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cambridge, MA?
The median last spring frost in Cambridge, MA is April 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 17, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Cambridge, MA?
The median first fall frost is November 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 29.
How long is the growing season in Cambridge, MA?
About 219 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cambridge, MA?
Cambridge, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.