Frost Dates for Belchertown, MA 01007
Last spring frost May 6 · First fall frost October 7 · 154 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 01007 has about 15,400 people.
Moderate season: 154 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 23–May 18 (25 days). Fall frost risk spans September 24–October 20 (26 days).
Frost probability for 01007
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 18 | May 6 | April 23 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 24 | October 7 | October 20 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at E BRIMFIELD LAKE (29.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 154-day season in Belchertown
In Belchertown (154 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 | Apr 1 | May 20–May 27 | 112 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 112 available after May 20. | Jun 7 |
| Pepper | Mar 25 | May 20–May 27 | 112 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 112 available after May 20. | Jun 12 |
| Lettuce | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 16 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 196 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 15. | Aug 5 |
| Cucumber | Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | 126 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 126 available after May 20. | Jul 11 |
| Beans | — | May 13–May 27 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Peas | — | Mar 11–May 20 | 217 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 11. | Jul 27 |
| Zucchini | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 126 | two-plantings: Plant May 20 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Onion | Feb 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 189 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 11–Apr 29 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 4 |
| Kale | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 189 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 8. | Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 203 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 8. | Aug 5 |
| Radish | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 14. | Sep 5 |
| Beets | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 175 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 7 | 259 | overwinter: Plant Oct 7 to Oct 28; harvest the following summer. | Oct 28 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 1–May 27 | 210 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 1; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 126 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 126 available after May 13. | Jun 19 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 22 | May 20–May 20 | 119 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 119 available after May 20. | May 25 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 13 | 168 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 29. | Jul 17 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 11 | Apr 22–Apr 22 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 4 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 203 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 8. | Jul 6 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 119 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 119 available after May 20. | May 25 |
| Eggplant | Mar 18 | May 20–May 27 | 112 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 112 available after May 20. | Jun 17 |
| Okra | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 133 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Basil | Apr 1 | May 27–May 27 | 119 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 119 available after May 27. | Jul 11 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 8–Apr 29 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Parsley | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 154 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 154 available after May 13. | Jul 22 |
| Celery | Feb 25 | May 13–May 27 | 154 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 154 available after May 13. | Jun 2 |
| Scallions | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 8 | Apr 29–May 6 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 16 |
| Collards | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 112 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 112 available after May 20. | Jun 2 |
| Chives | Feb 11 | May 13–May 20 | 168 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 168 available after May 13. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Oregano | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 168 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 168 available after May 13. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 11 | May 13–May 20 | 154 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 154 available after May 13. | — |
| Sage | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 168 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 168 available after May 13. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 168 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 168 available after May 13. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Cosmos | Apr 8 | May 6–May 20 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 11 |
| Lavender | Feb 11 | May 6–May 20 | 175 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 175 available after May 6. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 25 | May 6–May 13 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 21 |
| Melons | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 112 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 112 available after May 20. | Jun 2 |
| Mint | — | May 6–May 20 | 175 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 175 available after May 6. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 13–May 27 | 133 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 133 available after May 13. | Jul 6 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 119 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 119 available after May 20. | Jun 4 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 6–May 20 | 140 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 140 available after May 6. | Jul 1 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 119 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 119 available after May 13. | Jun 12 |
| Watermelon | Apr 22 | May 13–May 20 | 119 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 119 available after May 13. | Jun 7 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 126 | two-plantings: Plant May 20 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Zinnias | Apr 8 | May 6–May 20 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 11 |
Month by month in Belchertown
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 11), Lavender (Feb 11), Onion (Feb 11), Rosemary (Feb 11), Celery (Feb 25), Collards (Feb 25), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 11), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 11), Cabbage (Mar 11), Lettuce (Mar 11), Sage (Mar 11), Swiss Chard (Mar 11), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 11), Beets (Mar 11), Dill (Mar 11), Peas (Mar 11), Radish (Mar 11), Spinach (Mar 11), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 1), Tomato (Apr 1), Bok Choy (Apr 8), Corn (Apr 8), Cosmos (Apr 8), Nasturtiums (Apr 8), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 8), Turnip (Apr 8), Carrots (Apr 15), Potatoes (Apr 22). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 8), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 8), Cabbage (Apr 8), Collards (Apr 8), Kale (Apr 8), Lettuce (Apr 8), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 1). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 6), Beans (May 13), Pole Beans (May 13). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 6), Lavender (May 6), Marigolds (May 6), Mint (May 6), Nasturtiums (May 6), Zinnias (May 6), +23 more. Last frost around May 6. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 25), Pumpkin (May 25). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 2), Celery (Jun 2), Melons (Jun 2), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 4), Tomato (Jun 7), Watermelon (Jun 7), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 1), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 6), Pole Beans (Jul 6), Basil (Jul 11), Cosmos (Jul 11), Cucumber (Jul 11), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 5), Carrots (Aug 5), Beets (Aug 6), Dill (Aug 6), Swiss Chard (Aug 6), Calendula (Aug 11), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 4), Spinach (Sep 4), Radish (Sep 5). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 7). First frost around October 7. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 28). |
| 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 Belchertown, MA (ZIP 01007)?
The median last spring frost date for Belchertown, MA (ZIP code 01007) is around May 6. 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 23; one in ten it runs past May 18.
What is the first fall frost date in Belchertown, MA?
The median first fall frost date for Belchertown, MA is around October 7. 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 24 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Belchertown, MA?
The frost-free growing season in Belchertown is about 154 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 Belchertown (154 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 Belchertown, MA?
Belchertown, 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 Belchertown, MA?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 1 and plant out May 20 in Belchertown. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Belchertown?
Two: plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14.
When do I plant garlic in Belchertown?
Oct 7 to Oct 28; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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