Frost dates for 02453 — Waltham, MA
Last spring frostApr 19median date
First fall frostOct 23median date
Growing season187 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Waltham compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Waltham falls between April 6 and May 3, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 8 and November 5.
- The median last frost is 8 days earlier than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 187-day growing season is longer than 78% of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season (state median 169 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6b, where the median is Apr 22.
- The weather station records an average of 121 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Waltham shares its weather station with Newton, MA, 4 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 6 |
| 50% (median) | April 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 3 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 8 |
| 50% (median) | October 23 |
| 90% (late) | November 5 |
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 Waltham, MA
Frost dates for 02453 — Waltham, MA — last frost Apr 19, first frost Oct 23, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Transplant outside: May 3 to May 24
Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Nov 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Waltham, MA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 22 – Apr 26 | Aug 28 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Okra | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Basil | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 26 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 3 – May 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 9 – Nov 13 |
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 Jamaica Plain, MA weather station, 11 km away (elevation 95 ft (29 m)).
ZIP codes in Waltham: 02451 02452 02453 02454
Frost dates near Waltham
- West Newton Apr 19 · Oct 23
- North Waltham Apr 19 · Oct 23
- Newtonville Apr 19 · Oct 23
- Nonantum Apr 19 · Oct 23
- Auburndale Apr 26 · Oct 12
- Newton Apr 19 · Oct 23
- Waban Apr 19 · Oct 23
- Watertown Apr 19 · Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Waltham, MA?
The median last spring frost in Waltham, MA is April 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 3, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Waltham, MA?
The median first fall frost is October 23, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 8.
How long is the growing season in Waltham, MA?
About 187 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Waltham, MA?
Waltham, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.