Frost dates for 02542 — Buzzards Bay, MA
Last spring frostApr 26median date
First fall frostOct 26median date
Growing season183 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Buzzards Bay compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Buzzards Bay falls between April 15 and May 9, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 11 and November 7.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 183-day growing season is longer than 74% of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season (state median 169 days).
- The last frost is 10 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 122 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with New Bedford, MA, 31 km away, the last frost here is 3 days earlier than there and the growing season is 14 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 15 |
| 50% (median) | April 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 11 |
| 50% (median) | October 26 |
| 90% (late) | November 7 |
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 Buzzards Bay, MA
Frost dates for 02542 — Buzzards Bay, MA — last frost Apr 26, first frost Oct 26, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to May 3Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Transplant outside: May 10 to May 31
Plant for fall: Oct 12 to Nov 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Buzzards Bay, MA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Mar 29 – May 3 | Aug 31 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Okra | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Basil | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 22 – May 3 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 10 – May 31 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 12 – Nov 16 |
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 E Sandwich, MA weather station, 10 km away (elevation 151 ft (46 m)).
ZIP codes in Buzzards Bay: 02532 02542
Frost dates near Buzzards Bay
- Forestdale Apr 26 · Oct 26
- North Falmouth Apr 11 · Nov 11
- Cataumet Apr 21 · Oct 24
- Pocasset Apr 21 · Oct 24
- East Falmouth Apr 11 · Nov 11
- Mashpee Apr 26 · Oct 26
- West Falmouth Apr 11 · Nov 11
- Monument Beach Apr 21 · Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Buzzards Bay, MA?
The median last spring frost in Buzzards Bay, MA is April 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Buzzards Bay, MA?
The median first fall frost is October 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 11.
How long is the growing season in Buzzards Bay, MA?
About 183 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Buzzards Bay, MA?
Buzzards Bay, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.