Frost dates for 02741 — New Bedford, MA
Last spring frostApr 29median date
First fall frostOct 15median date
Growing season169 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How New Bedford compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in New Bedford falls between April 17 and May 15, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 2 and October 31.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 169-day growing season is longer than 46% of the 510 Massachusetts places with a regular frost season (state median 169 days).
- The last frost is 13 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 123 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Providence, RI, 46 km away, the last frost here is 18 days later than there and the growing season is 33 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 17 |
| 50% (median) | April 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 2 |
| 50% (median) | October 15 |
| 90% (late) | October 31 |
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 New Bedford, MA
Frost dates for 02741 — New Bedford, MA — last frost Apr 29, first frost Oct 15, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to May 6Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Transplant outside: May 13 to Jun 3
Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Nov 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in New Bedford, MA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 1 – May 6 | Aug 20 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Okra | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – Jun 3 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Basil | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 25 – May 6 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 1 – Nov 5 |
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 New Bedford Muni Ap, MA weather station, 5 km away (elevation 79 ft (24 m)).
ZIP codes in New Bedford: 02740 02741 02742 02744 02745 02746
Frost dates near New Bedford
- Fairhaven Apr 11 · Nov 5
- North Dartmouth Apr 29 · Oct 15
- Acushnet Apr 29 · Oct 15
- South Dartmouth Apr 11 · Nov 5
- Mattapoisett Apr 11 · Nov 5
- Westport Apr 11 · Nov 2
- East Freetown Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Rochester Apr 23 · Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in New Bedford, MA?
The median last spring frost in New Bedford, MA is April 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in New Bedford, MA?
The median first fall frost is October 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 2.
How long is the growing season in New Bedford, MA?
About 169 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is New Bedford, MA?
New Bedford, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.