Frost Dates for Amherst, MA 01003
Amherst has 2 ZIP codes. The Amherst, MA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost May 10 · First fall frost September 28 · 141 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 01003 has about 13,500 people, one of 2 ZIP codes in Amherst.
Moderate season: 141 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 28–May 24 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans September 17–October 7 (20 days).
Frost probability for 01003
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 24 | May 10 | April 28 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 17 | September 28 | October 7 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at AMHERST (1.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 141-day season in Amherst
In Amherst (141 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 5 | May 24–May 31 | 99 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 99 available after May 24. | May 29 |
| Pepper | Mar 29 | May 24–May 31 | 99 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 99 available after May 24. | Jun 3 |
| Lettuce | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 7 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 183 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 19. | Jul 27 |
| Cucumber | Apr 19 | May 24–May 31 | 113 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 113 available after May 24. | Jul 2 |
| Beans | — | May 17–May 31 | 127 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 127 available after May 17. | Jul 9 |
| Peas | — | Mar 15–May 24 | 204 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 204 available after Mar 15. | Jul 18 |
| Zucchini | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 113 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 113 available after May 24. | Jul 7 |
| Onion | Feb 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 176 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 15–May 3 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 26 |
| Kale | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 176 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 12. | Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 190 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 12. | Jul 27 |
| Radish | — | Mar 15–Jun 7 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 27 |
| Beets | — | Mar 15–Jun 7 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 26–May 3 | 162 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 28 | 246 | overwinter: Plant Sep 28 to Oct 19; harvest the following summer. | Oct 19 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 5–May 31 | 197 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 5; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 12 | May 17–May 24 | 113 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 113 available after May 17. | Jun 10 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 26 | May 24–May 24 | 106 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 106 available after May 24. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 29 | May 3–May 17 | 155 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 155 available after May 3. | Jul 8 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 15 | Apr 26–Apr 26 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 15–Jun 7 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 26 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 190 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 12. | Jun 27 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 106 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 106 available after May 24. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | 99 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 99 available after May 24. | Jun 8 |
| Okra | Apr 12 | May 17–May 24 | 120 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 120 available after May 17. | Jul 7 |
| Basil | Apr 5 | May 31–May 31 | 106 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 106 available after May 31. | Jul 2 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 12–May 3 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 2 |
| Parsley | Mar 1 | May 17–May 24 | 141 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 141 available after May 17. | Jul 13 |
| Celery | Mar 1 | May 17–May 31 | 141 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 141 available after May 17. | May 24 |
| Scallions | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 12 | May 3–May 10 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 7 |
| Collards | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 99 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 99 available after May 24. | — |
| Chives | Feb 15 | May 17–May 24 | 155 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 155 available after May 17. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 15–Jun 7 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Oregano | Mar 1 | May 17–May 24 | 155 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 155 available after May 17. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 15 | May 17–May 24 | 141 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 141 available after May 17. | — |
| Sage | Mar 15 | May 17–May 24 | 155 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 155 available after May 17. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 1 | May 17–May 24 | 155 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 155 available after May 17. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 2 |
| Cosmos | Apr 12 | May 10–May 24 | 127 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 127 available after May 10. | Jul 2 |
| Lavender | Feb 15 | May 10–May 24 | 162 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 162 available after May 10. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 29 | May 10–May 17 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 14. | Jul 12 |
| Melons | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 99 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 99 available after May 24. | — |
| Mint | — | May 10–May 24 | 162 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 162 available after May 10. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 7; both mature before Sep 14. | Jul 7 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 17–May 31 | 120 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 120 available after May 17. | Jun 27 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 106 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 106 available after May 24. | May 26 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 10–May 24 | 127 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 127 available after May 10. | Jun 22 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 15 | May 17–May 24 | 106 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 106 available after May 17. | Jun 3 |
| Watermelon | Apr 26 | May 17–May 24 | 106 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 106 available after May 17. | May 29 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 113 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 113 available after May 24. | Jul 7 |
| Zinnias | Apr 12 | May 10–May 24 | 127 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 127 available after May 10. | Jul 2 |
Month by month in Amherst
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 15), Lavender (Feb 15), Onion (Feb 15), Rosemary (Feb 15). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 1), Collards (Mar 1), Kale (Mar 1), Oregano (Mar 1), Parsley (Mar 1), Scallions (Mar 1), +13 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 15), Beets (Mar 15), Dill (Mar 15), Peas (Mar 15), Radish (Mar 15), Spinach (Mar 15), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 5), Tomato (Apr 5), Bok Choy (Apr 12), Corn (Apr 12), Cosmos (Apr 12), Nasturtiums (Apr 12), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 12), Turnip (Apr 12), Carrots (Apr 19), Potatoes (Apr 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 12), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 12), Cabbage (Apr 12), Collards (Apr 12), Kale (Apr 12), Lettuce (Apr 12), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 5). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 10), Beans (May 17), Pole Beans (May 17). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 3), Cauliflower (May 3), Cosmos (May 10), Lavender (May 10), Marigolds (May 10), Mint (May 10), +25 more. Last frost around May 10. Last sowing dates: Celery (May 24), Spaghetti Squash (May 26), Tomato (May 29), Watermelon (May 29). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 3), Tomatillos (Jun 3), Eggplant (Jun 8), Corn (Jun 10), Sunflowers (Jun 22), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 27), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Basil (Jul 2), Cosmos (Jul 2), Cucumber (Jul 2), Zinnias (Jul 2), Broccoli (Jul 3), Nasturtiums (Jul 7), +13 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 2), Cilantro (Aug 2), Collards (Aug 6), Scallions (Aug 6), Bok Choy (Aug 7), Lettuce (Aug 7), +6 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 28). First frost around September 28. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 19). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Amherst, MA (ZIP 01003)?
The median last spring frost date for Amherst, MA (ZIP code 01003) is around May 10. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 28; one in ten it runs past May 24.
What is the first fall frost date in Amherst, MA?
The median first fall frost date for Amherst, MA is around September 28. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 17 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Amherst, MA?
The frost-free growing season in Amherst is about 141 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Amherst (141 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Amherst, MA?
Amherst, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Amherst, MA?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 5 and plant out May 24 in Amherst. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Amherst?
Two: plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 5.
When do I plant garlic in Amherst?
Sep 28 to Oct 19; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
South Hadley (ZIP 01075) has 154 frost-free days, 13 more than Amherst (ZIP 01003). See South Hadley ZIP 01075 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Amherst, MA 01002 (3.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Northampton, MA 01060 (7.3 mi)
- Frost dates for South Hadley, MA 01075 (9.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Belchertown, MA 01007 (9.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Easthampton, MA 01027 (13 mi)
- When to plant in MA
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- When to plant Basil in MA
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- Look up another ZIP