Frost dates for 02744 — New Bedford, MA
Last spring frostApr 11median date
First fall frostNov 5median date
Growing season208 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How New Bedford compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in New Bedford falls between March 30 and April 22, a 23-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 24 and November 18.
- The median last frost is 16 days earlier than the Massachusetts median of Apr 27.
- Its 208-day growing season is longer than 96% 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 104 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Providence, RI, 48 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 6 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 30 |
| 50% (median) | April 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 24 |
| 50% (median) | November 5 |
| 90% (late) | November 18 |
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 02744 — New Bedford, MA — last frost Apr 11, first frost Nov 5, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
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 10 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
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 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
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 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 16
Plant for fall: Oct 22 to Nov 26
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 | 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 10 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| 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 13 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 18 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| 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 13 – Aug 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 22 – Nov 26 |
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 Coop, MA weather station, 2 km away (elevation 20 ft (6 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
- South Dartmouth Apr 11 · Nov 5
- Acushnet Apr 29 · Oct 15
- Mattapoisett Apr 11 · Nov 5
- Westport Apr 11 · Nov 2
- Westport Point Apr 11 · Nov 2
- Marion Apr 21 · Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in New Bedford, MA?
The median last spring frost in New Bedford, MA is April 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 22, 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 November 5, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 24.
How long is the growing season in New Bedford, MA?
About 208 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.