Last Frost Date

Planting planner: Worcester, Massachusetts

Typical last spring frost April 23 (1 spring in 10 later than May 5). Typical first fall frost October 21 (1 fall in 10 earlier than October 6). Growing season about 181 days.

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Frost likely Frost possible Frost unlikely Frost is likely until April 11 and fades out by May 5. It is unlikely from then until October 6, and likely again after November 3. The dashed lines are the typical dates, April 23 and October 21.

January

Nothing to start this month.

February

  • February 5 to March 5: Broccoli and cabbage (start seeds indoors)
  • February 19 to March 19: Cauliflower (start seeds indoors)

March

  • March 5 to 26: Eggplant (start seeds indoors)
  • March 12 to 26: Peppers (start seeds indoors)
  • March 19 to April 2: Tomatoes (start seeds indoors)
  • March 26 to April 9: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, onion sets, turnips (sow outdoors)
  • March 26 to April 9: Broccoli and cabbage (plant out)

April

  • April 9 to 23: Beets, carrots, potatoes, Swiss chard (plant outdoors)
  • April 9 to 23: Cauliflower (plant out)
  • April 23: Snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash (sow outdoors)

May

  • May 7: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (plant out)
  • May 7: Melons, winter squash, pumpkins, lima beans (sow outdoors)
  • May 26 to June 9: Cabbage for fall (start seeds)

June

  • June 15 to 29: Broccoli for fall (start seeds)

July

  • July 25: Snap beans for fall (last date to sow)
  • July 29: Carrots for fall (last date to sow)
  • July 30: Cucumbers for fall (last date to sow)

August

  • August 3: Peas for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 4: Summer squash for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 8: Leaf lettuce and beets for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 18: Turnips and kohlrabi for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 28: Spinach for fall (last date to sow)

September

  • September 7: Radishes for fall (last date to sow)

October

  • October 6: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, cucumbers (watch the forecast)

November

  • November 8 to 15: Garlic (plant cloves)

December

Nothing to start this month.

Dates from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Worcester Regional Airport (station USW00094746), 3 miles from the center of Worcester. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension GardenNotes #720 (spring), Virginia Cooperative Extension 426-334 (fall crops), University of Minnesota Extension (garlic). Spring bulbs: plant when the soil has cooled to about 50 to 55°F, until a couple of weeks before the ground freezes (University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension). Full details: https://lastfrostdate.com/frost-dates/massachusetts/worcester/

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