Frost Dates for Arlington, MA 02474
Last spring frost May 1 · First fall frost October 8 · 160 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 02474 has about 28,600 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Arlington.
Moderate season: 160 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 21–May 12 (21 days). Fall frost risk spans September 25–October 22 (27 days).
Frost probability for 02474
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 12 | May 1 | April 21 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 25 | October 8 | October 22 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BEDFORD (12.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Arlington, MA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02474 | May 1 | October 8 | 6b |
| 02476 | May 1 | October 8 | 6b |
Which crops fit a 160-day season in Arlington
In Arlington (160 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 27 | May 15–May 22 | 118 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 118 available after May 15. | Jun 8 |
| Pepper | Mar 20 | May 15–May 22 | 118 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 118 available after May 15. | Jun 13 |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 17 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 202 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 10. | Aug 6 |
| Cucumber | Apr 10 | May 15–May 22 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 15. | Jul 12 |
| Beans | — | May 8–May 22 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Peas | — | Mar 6–May 15 | 223 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 6. | Jul 28 |
| Zucchini | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Onion | Feb 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 195 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 6–Apr 24 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 5 |
| Kale | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 195 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 3. | Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 209 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 3. | Aug 6 |
| Radish | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 15. | Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 8 | 265 | overwinter: Plant Oct 8 to Oct 29; harvest the following summer. | Oct 29 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 27–May 22 | 216 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 27; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 3 | May 8–May 15 | 132 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 132 available after May 8. | Jun 20 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 17 | May 15–May 15 | 125 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 125 available after May 15. | May 26 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 8 | 174 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 24. | Jul 18 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 6 | Apr 17–Apr 17 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 5 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 209 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 3. | Jul 7 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 125 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 125 available after May 15. | May 26 |
| Eggplant | Mar 13 | May 15–May 22 | 118 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 118 available after May 15. | Jun 18 |
| Okra | Apr 3 | May 8–May 15 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Basil | Mar 27 | May 22–May 22 | 125 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 22. | Jul 12 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 3–Apr 24 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Parsley | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 160 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 160 available after May 8. | Jul 23 |
| Celery | Feb 20 | May 8–May 22 | 160 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 160 available after May 8. | Jun 3 |
| Scallions | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 3 | Apr 24–May 1 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 17 |
| Collards | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 118 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 118 available after May 15. | Jun 3 |
| Chives | Feb 6 | May 8–May 15 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 8. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Oregano | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 174 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 174 available after May 8. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 6 | May 8–May 15 | 160 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 160 available after May 8. | — |
| Sage | Mar 6 | May 8–May 15 | 174 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 174 available after May 8. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 8. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Cosmos | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
| Lavender | Feb 6 | May 1–May 15 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after May 1. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 20 | May 1–May 8 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 22 |
| Melons | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 118 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 118 available after May 15. | Jun 3 |
| Mint | — | May 1–May 15 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after May 1. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 8–May 22 | 139 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 139 available after May 8. | Jul 7 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 125 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 125 available after May 15. | Jun 5 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 1–May 15 | 146 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 146 available after May 1. | Jul 2 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 6 | May 8–May 15 | 125 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 125 available after May 8. | Jun 13 |
| Watermelon | Apr 17 | May 8–May 15 | 125 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 125 available after May 8. | Jun 8 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Zinnias | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
Month by month in Arlington
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 6), Lavender (Feb 6), Onion (Feb 6), Rosemary (Feb 6), Celery (Feb 20), Collards (Feb 20), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 6), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 6), Cabbage (Mar 6), Lettuce (Mar 6), Sage (Mar 6), Swiss Chard (Mar 6), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 6), Beets (Mar 6), Dill (Mar 6), Peas (Mar 6), Radish (Mar 6), Spinach (Mar 6), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 27). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 3), Corn (Apr 3), Cosmos (Apr 3), Nasturtiums (Apr 3), Okra (Apr 3), Zinnias (Apr 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 3), Turnip (Apr 3), Carrots (Apr 10), Potatoes (Apr 17). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 3), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 3), Cabbage (Apr 3), Collards (Apr 3), Kale (Apr 3), Lettuce (Apr 3), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 1), Beans (May 8), Pole Beans (May 8). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 1), Lavender (May 1), Marigolds (May 1), Mint (May 1), Nasturtiums (May 1), Zinnias (May 1), +23 more. Last frost around May 1. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 26), Pumpkin (May 26). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 3), Celery (Jun 3), Melons (Jun 3), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 5), Tomato (Jun 8), Watermelon (Jun 8), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 2), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 7), Pole Beans (Jul 7), Basil (Jul 12), Cosmos (Jul 12), Cucumber (Jul 12), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 6), Carrots (Aug 6), Beets (Aug 7), Dill (Aug 7), Swiss Chard (Aug 7), Calendula (Aug 12), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 5), Spinach (Sep 5), Radish (Sep 6). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 8). First frost around October 8. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 29). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| 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 Arlington, MA (ZIP 02474)?
The median last spring frost date for Arlington, MA (ZIP code 02474) is around May 1. 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 21; one in ten it runs past May 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Arlington, MA?
The median first fall frost date for Arlington, MA is around October 8. 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 25 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Arlington, MA?
The frost-free growing season in Arlington is about 160 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 Arlington (160 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Arlington, MA?
Arlington, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (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 Arlington, MA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 27 and plant out May 15 in Arlington. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Arlington?
Two: plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15.
When do I plant garlic in Arlington?
Oct 8 to Oct 29; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Nearby and related
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