Frost dates for 02540 — Falmouth, MA
Last spring frostApr 11median date
First fall frostNov 11median date
Growing season214 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Falmouth compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Falmouth falls between March 31 and April 24, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 31 and November 27.
- The median last frost is 16 days earlier than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 214-day growing season is longer than 97% of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season (state median 169 days).
- The last frost is 5 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 83 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with New Bedford, MA, 27 km away, the last frost here is 18 days earlier than there and the growing season is 45 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 31 |
| 50% (median) | April 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 24 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 31 |
| 50% (median) | November 11 |
| 90% (late) | November 27 |
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 Falmouth, MA
Frost dates for 02540 — Falmouth, MA — last frost Apr 11, first frost Nov 11, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 21
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 16
Plant for fall: Oct 28 to Dec 2
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Falmouth, MA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 14 – Apr 18 | Sep 16 – Oct 14 |
| Kale | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Okra | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Basil | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 18 | Sep 30 – Oct 21 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 28 – Dec 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 Woods Hole Golf Club, MA weather station, 5 km away (elevation 79 ft (24 m)).
ZIP codes in Falmouth: 02540 02541
Frost dates near Falmouth
- West Falmouth Apr 11 · Nov 11
- Woods Hole Apr 11 · Nov 11
- East Falmouth Apr 11 · Nov 11
- North Falmouth Apr 11 · Nov 11
- Cataumet Apr 21 · Oct 24
- Mashpee Apr 26 · Oct 26
- Vineyard Haven May 7 · Oct 9
- Oak Bluffs May 7 · Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Falmouth, MA?
The median last spring frost in Falmouth, MA is April 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 24, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Falmouth, MA?
The median first fall frost is November 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 31.
How long is the growing season in Falmouth, MA?
About 214 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Falmouth, MA?
Falmouth, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.